Russellings of the Spirit

AUTHOR’S NOTE: I do not begrudge anyone a vacation in a Caribbean nation. In fact, I just returned from one myself. But then yesterday, as we were fleeing Puerto Rico just barely ahead of Tropical Storm Dorian, this dialogue began taking shape in my mind. I was prompted to share it here…

I’m here on vacation in this pretty place.

I live here. This is home.

It’s so exotic! I love all these wild-looking plants and strange creatures running around.

Every day we scratch out a living from the soil. Some days we do not succeed.

I just wish the roads weren’t so bumpy and poorly maintained.

Praise God for the means to travel from one village to the next.

I wish we didn’t have to go through these poor villages on our way to the beach. They are so depressing.

Last week a speeding rental car ran over my son’s puppy, right in front of his eyes. He cried for days.

One thing I love is how cheap everything is! But you really have to know how to drive a hard bargain.

I created these myself. I am thankful God gave me the ability to work with my hands.

We couldn’t spend a lot of time in the pool yesterday. It was just too hot.

Often in the evening we can stand outside and feel a cool breeze coming in from the east.

I am so glad there is that big grocery store nearby. That way we don’t ever have to run out of ANYTHING!

Today we all ate. Tomorrow… we will see.

The problem with being so far outside the city is all the loud sounds of the birds and frogs and crickets when you’re trying to sleep.

The song of the jungle sings us to sleep. It is peaceful and relaxing.

I think I remember reading something about a little political trouble they had recently here. Not sure what that was all about, but it all looks pretty OK now.

Most of us learned long ago not to look to our political leaders to help change anything. It is a vain hope.

Uh oh! Looks like that tropical storm is headed this way. Better change our flight and get the heck out of here before it hits!

I live here. This is home. Let us board up the windows and pray for a safe passage.