Lost in the Waves
There is just something about the ocean that's calming. Whether it be the sounds of the waves crashing or the lulling of the water as the tides comes in. That's going to be the one thing that I will miss the most about living in Hawaii, the ocean. Since we moved here 4 years ago, I have been at or in the ocean almost every day. Especially once I discovered surfing, you couldn't get me out of it.
Ever since then surfing has been my passion, the warm weather year around allows me to be out on the water basically every day unfortunately, that is all about to change. You see my dad is in the Military, and he is getting ready to retire. He put in his retirement packet a couple weeks ago. With him wanting to get out we are moving back to his home state, Washington, and not just any place in Washington but La Push to be exact.
La Push is on the coast of Washington just outside a small-town call Forks. I know weird name for a town. Anyway, we leave tomorrow. I'm not sure how to feel about us leaving or even the fact that we will be able to stay in one place longer than a few years. Now don't get me wrong I absolutely adore La Push. It is an adorable little reservation and I have spent many summers, deployments and holidays there and in a way, I am excited to be close with my grandparents, family and the few friends I do have there. I'm just not excited that ill only be able to surf during certain times of the year as the weather up there tends to be more on the dreary side of things.
Shaking my head of my musings, I take notice that I have about an hour and a half left of day light. I quickly stand up dusting off the sand and grab my board. Might as well get one last surf in before we leave.
Sitting on my board having my feet dangle in the water with my hands out to my side laying on top of the water while feeling the waves come and go is sheer bliss. I couldn't stop the smile from spreading over my face.
"EVERLY!" Whipping my head around at the sound of my name to see my father standing on the shore line shouting at me. "TIME TO COME IN! WE NEED TO FINISH PACKING!"
"BE RIGHT THERE!" As I turn my board around to head back, I take one last look at the setting sun. As I begin to approach the shore, I hop off my board and began walking up to my father, coming to up to up I could just see the love he had shining through his smile. Ever since my mom took off on us around the time I was 8, my dad and I became even closer. I have always been a daddy's girl but after that happened, I became an even bigger one. We literally do everything together. Hunting, surfing, hiking, fishing, you name it we've most likely done. Smiling as I approach him, I couldn't help but feel as if our lives are about to change forever in these next coming weeks, it's a good feeling though. Like this is what we need, what he needs.
"Sorry dad, I couldn't help it. I wanted to get one last one in for the season." I tell him as I give him a very wet hug.
"I kind of figured kiddo. Come on I have pizza waiting for us, the movers will be here in the morning to grab the rest of our stuff." He said as he wrapped his hand around my shoulders. The moving company would be coming to grab what we couldn't put in our carry on and checked baggage and shipping it and our cars to port in Seattle. From there they will drive it to our new house in La Push. We will be "camping" in the new house until they deliver it. Which knowing the military, it could take a few months if I've learned anything from the times they've moved us.
Walking into my room it hit me that this would be the last night I would ever get to be in here, this then in return made me start thinking about all the firsts. My first kiss, my first break up, and most importantly the first time I discovered my interest in surfing. Sighing, I picked up my empty bags and finished up packing what was left of my clothes and bringing them to the front door as this was everything id be using for the upcoming weeks while we waited for our household goods. I just hope these coming weeks fly by without any issues. My dad deserves to settle down and transition to civilian life peacefully after everything hes been through with not only the military but having to raise me as a single dad.
After my last bag I was by the door, I made my way into my bathroom for a nice long hot shower. I let the warm water run down my shoulders and back allowing it to fully relax my muscles after a stress filled day and the work out I got from surfing this afternoon. Taking a deep breathe, I couldn't help but think of my dad and how he will handle moving back to not only the place of his birth but the place where my parents fell in love at.
Crawling into bed that night, I sent up a quick prayer to our ancestor praying that they bless these coming weeks for us as I know they are going to be difficult.