The Existence of Life After Work

Walking out the door and down the steps of my sun drenched windswept office on Ocean Road in Narragansett, Rhode Island, I am drained at the end of the business day. However, as I descend the steps my nostrils are rejuvenated by that intoxicatingly wonderful, sea weedy ocean aroma. Walking to my car, which expectantly awaits me, my pulse begins to quicken. Various items are carefully stowed away, and just as quickly forgotten. Rolling down the windows and opening the sun roof, the vehicle begins to quickly flood with cool fresh salt air. An expectation and excitement begin to build within me. Driving along the sea wall, feeling like I am in a very expensive sports car, enjoying the gorgeous ocean views, the cares of the day are evaporating and falling into a clearer perspective. Continuing to rapidly shed my work skin as I drive down the highway, the greens of the trees are brighter, the colorful blue hue of the sky is especially intense, and the jet trails crisscrossing it utterly fascinate me. I notice just how much I enjoy and appreciate looking at everything.

Feeling on top of the world, I continue on to my selected destination. The car knows the way by heart and I almost believe that the vechicle is on auto pilot. Nearing it, two more miles, one more mile, I have goose bumps! Finally the sign looms up, “Belle Vue Yachting Center”, our wonderful marina. Pulling into a parking space I get out of the car attempting to keep my enthusiasm in check, by not running but walking, not too eagerly, down the ramp and onto the dock while maintaining a pretense of equanimity and dignity. Feeling like a million dollars and a small child filled with expectant anticipation, I turn the corner of the dock and come face to face with our beloved boat, “The Leading Lady”. She is a noble vessel filled with a lot of love, many great times, interesting people and enough happy memories to last ten life times. How can an inanimate object provide such joy, whether at sea or docked? Climbing on to the rear deck I sit there relishing and contemplating the beauty, the boats expertly tied up to their respective slips, the varied scents, the sights and, especially, that relaxing resort feeling just ten minutes from my office. Ah………I am so lucky!
Tomorrow I shall walk into the office with a big smile on my face, bright eyed and bushy tailed, because, I know, that there truly is the existence of life after work , to enjoy, everyday!!!

To Save A Mocking Bird

On a balmy spring day, I was gazing out of the window at my place of work on Ocean Road in Narragansett, Rhode Island. The sparkling ocean was luxuriating in the bright intense afternoon sunlight.

There is a large evergreen tree outside of our office that spreads its limbs like latticework partially obstructing my water view, however providing vital shade. A movement like an unfurling fan caught my eye. Looking more intently, I realized that there was a diminutive bird helplessly dangling from one of the branches. Hearing me gasp, several of my associates rushed over to see what event could be unfolding outside. Within minutes, two of these compassionate souls were on the scene under the tree attempting to reach the hapless victim with a pole, however, they could not free it. Suddenly, out of nowhere, two more heroes materialized with a ladder! The ladder was instantly set up and tenuously climbed by one of them. Again, this attempt to liberate the bird was futile. As I sat there mesmerized, witnessing this kind act of humanity, the rescuer carefully snapped off the branch with the trapped bird still bound to it and tender footedly descended back down the ladder to terra firma.



With a surgeon’s fine tuned touch, the Good Samaritan swiftly extricated the little creature from the thread that had been wrapped around its talon and which had snagged on the branch. He cradled it in his hands with tender loving care, gently stroking the head to reassure the trembling bird. Then, with arms extended above his head, the bird was given the opportunity to take flight and soar away. However, it dropped to the ground unable to fly. A box was quickly emptied of its contents, temporarily providing sanctuary to the small bird, and a call was made to a local veterinarian. Within the hour, the bird was being lovingly chauffeured to the vet who treats untamed birds and animals, by yet another caring person.

A tiny life saved by some altruistic beings whose only collective intent was to rescue a young mocking bird.