A-Way with Words

Beside the Water

He sat near the edge of the shore hugging

his legs to his chest. Praying and casting his cares out to sea. God would give him peace by putting His arms around him like a father would to a son and show him a vision, a gift to calm his thoughts. He would stay in this comforting embrace until sunset. Tonight was no different from other nights. He sat peacefully listening to the waters ebb and tide, hearing the gentle rustling of the shifting sand near him.

He turned his head to meet the eyes of a beautiful young women sitting a few feet from his side. She smiled as their eyes met. She pointed to the sea and gestured that is was beautiful. He thought a moment and realized something was different this time. Many years ago his uncle taught him to sign words because he could not speak to his nephew. They shared many memories together.

He did not know why, but he made the sign for “How did we meet?”

She responded in sign, “Vision.”

She also shared that her childhood friend, who recently moved here with her new husband, had helped her to make this her new home. This was a very special speaking friend who had helped her communicate to others, to make friends. She came to the place of her vision to meet with God.

He slid his hand over toward hers in the sand; she slid her hand to meet his, a gasp escaped her lips and a breath of air escaped his when they touched. They sat quietly holding hands, each with their legs drawn up to their chest. He noticed the sun was beginning to descend from its position in the sky. He gestured to walk her home. They stood, dusted the sand from their jeans and walked along the shoreline hand in hand.

The sun had reached the point where to last rays were about to descend into the horizon. He walked alone toward his home, but this night was different; he did not wait for the sun to set, instead he left while there was still light on his path. He wanted to see clearly in the light as he walked. As he did every night, he thanked God for their time together.

He reached to turn the knob on the door of his home as the darkness consumed the light of that evening. Smiling as he thought to himself, “Now I know where to find her.”