Every year should end with a sunset.

Gaël was with his mother for Christmas. My plan was to go to New York, but I ended up in Oregon. These things happen.

The day after Christmas, my uncle, cousins and myself went to the beach. For whatever reason the weather panned perfectly. Sun soaked sand reflected all the heat onto coats, sweaters and faces. I broke away from the group and watched the wind whip the top off the breakers. Waves were swelling large that day.

Breathing in the ocean air, it occurred to me that I wanted to be in no other place or time. This was good. Everything else, the good things and the bad ones, seemed to be far away and small. 

The sun sank quickly. It touched the ocean and the flat surf in front of me acted as a mirror. Soft orange and blue hues. I kept looking out at the waves, their tops being stripped off into a white mist.



I wish I had some fantastic insight to share with you reflecting on the last year. Or last 10. I spent a good week thinking about things I've experienced, things I've learned....and nada.

In lieu of that I'd like to share something I wrote when my world was very dark. I realize that it is full of cliche, but it still resonates heavily with me. 

The world is big and beautiful here. Full of good places and people. I hope you find it the same - wherever you are.

Cowabunga dude,

DJ

G update: leveling up at the rock climbing gym, shocking with original thought and questions ("Why don't you have a girlfriend? I'm going to find one for you"), refusing to eat vegetables, getting surprisingly good at art
 
Written to my favorite album from the last decade