Reflections

Today I had the opportunity to sit back for a while and reflect on being thankful for the wonderful gifts I’ve had bestowed upon me over the years. The simplest of things brought a great smile to me as I sat back and enjoyed the morning. It didn’t bother me a bit as I sat here and gazed out across Collier Bay and looked up at the slightly overcast morning. It’s kind of hard to feel bad while we are sitting here surrounded with such a beautiful environment which we enjoy on a regular basis.

I thought how lucky I was to be able to sit here and watch the dolphins playing out in the water just beyond the dock, knowing the Dolphin Explorer Eco-Tour would be coming by later in the morning to entertain its guests with their knowledgeable lectures regarding this wonderful species of mammals who are so smart and enjoyable to watch. Next time you have family and grandkids visiting, make sure you book a trip with them for a thoroughly enjoyable three-hour tour.

I enjoyed watching families make their way into Collier Creek as they worked their way out to the Marco River and headed out for the day. Some went fishing, while others went down to Cape Romano or over to Keewaydin Island for a day on the beach or shelling.

It truly is a shame that the Dome Houses have slipped below the water’s surface as well as the stilt house and the pyramid home. I have fond memories of those magnificent structures as they sat back beyond the water’s edge or over the Gulf waters themselves. In the 80s I had the privilege of meeting their owners who were such gracious individuals, welcoming those of us that frequented their beach, only asking that we take with us whatever we brought and share their love of that pristine environment down at Cape Romano.

Later this morning I made my way down to my favorite spot on our special swing with coffee in hand. You can often find Jan and I sitting there at the end of the day, watching some of those same mariners headed back in and giving us a shout as they returned home. At that time of the day, we keep an eye open for my good friends who guide the Marco Princess while guests and crew waved to us on their way into the Esplanade.

I also thought about my great friend Cedric who for many years would serve as the Captain on the Princess. He, like myself, enjoyed taking trips on his motorcycle and would often look for advice as to where to venture with this bride when he’d get some time off on occasion. I only have the memories of the many trips I took across the country and into Canada, and I envy the fact he still does.

Sunsets here are as beautiful as sunrises, and I think if Jan could put this beautiful house on a turntable of sorts, she’d do it. That way she could enjoy the sunrise as well as the sunset each day. My good friends Frank Steiger and Marc Thorner, who are both wonderful photographers, would also agree I am sure, as they both take spectacular photos of them. I only wish I had their skills.

Our over three miles of spectacular beach is another wonderful gift that we all sometimes take for granted. I do enjoy quietly sitting under one of those wonderful thatched huts which dot the Residents Beach and am so thankful for MICA and the stewardship of this great asset of the island we all live on. 

I can’t wait for the arrival of summer when the water warms a bit. You see, I enjoy the water a little warmer than in the 70s; however, I distinctly remember my parents taking us to Hampton Beach in New Hampshire as kids and gladly splashing around in temperatures in the mid-60s. I guess I wasn’t old enough to know any better then.

Just the other evening we had the opportunity to share our home and dinner with another two couples at the house before we’d take a stroll down by the patio near the dock and our fire pit. We’d share a fire down by that special area with our four guests there. Late night fishermen cruised by and said hello as we sat and exchanged stories and a few laughs, recalling our pasts and the amazing opportunities life’s travels had granted us.

I think most of us share our love for this place we now call home. We love it for the simple pleasures, for the friends we have, and for the sunrises and sunsets we’ve come to love so much. For those evenings we spend with each other and the laughs we exchange on this wonderful island. Also for the kindnesses that are exchanged between those that were once strangers and now close friends.

Soon some of those friends will depart for homes up north, and they will be greatly missed until they return later as fall and the colors of the license plates on cars once again change, or we venture out on trips to see them as we pass through their temporary homes north of here.

Yes, these are just a few of the thoughts of what I’m thankful for in addition to you getting to know all of you.