August 16, 2026
Evening Reflections
Gifts in the Sunset…
Tonight felt like one of those evenings where something beautiful was waiting everywhere I looked.
As the sun began its journey toward the horizon, bubbles floated through the golden light, catching little pieces of the sunset as they drifted across the pier.
Then came something completely unexpected. A helicopter flew incredibly close to the pier, closer than I can ever remember seeing one. I watched as it circled over the water, its blades cutting through the quiet evening sky. It was such an amazing sight against the golden backdrop of the ocean.
And, of course, the birds found me. They came flying in from every direction, while Pegleg was already waiting for me on the railing. There is something so comforting about seeing these familiar little faces. No matter what else is happening around me, they always seem to bring me right back into the moment.
Out on the water, a sailboat drifted by, while down on the sand a happy dog raced along the beach with his ball, completely lost in the joy of being alive.
Tonight’s message felt especially perfect:
“The world needs your unique gifts. Don’t leave them inside of you.”
We all have something that belongs only to us. Something we can give, share, create, or simply bring into someone else’s day. Maybe life isn’t asking us to become someone else. Maybe it’s asking us to fully become ourselves.
The sky eventually turned fiery shades of gold and orange, and another beautiful sunset slipped behind the mountains.
As I walked back to my car, I looked up one more time. There was the crescent moon shining above a palm tree, almost like the day had left me one final little gift before saying goodnight.
So grateful for the birds, the surprises, the beauty, and another beautiful day by the sea.
Goodnight from the pier.
Capturing beauty, sharing light.
—April
