The Way Is Love, Part 2

“ The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – Alan Watts

The last days of summer are upon us and I have made it through that moment where I want these warm days to stay forever, like insects caught in amber. It helps if the days leading up to the equinox are sunny and bright – I can look out and not mind a blue sky full of cotton candy white clouds or the odd tree bare of leaves. There is still time to buy those last ice cream cones, indulge in the glorious canvas created each evening by the setting sun and the last weekend days of the Farmer’s Market.

Change is in the air and I’ve already joined the dance! There is fall travel to look forward to and I’ve bought a brand new notebook from the corner store ( a nod to those heading back to school!) to house my scribbles that find their way into my posts. One of my fall goals is to tackle reading the Harry Potter books, I’ve watched the films many times over and somehow missed picking up that first book which I’ve almost finished reading. J. K. Rowling’s words are a joy to read and I’m looking forward to starting the second book – her words the perfect companions as the days become shorter.

We live in a kaleidoscope world full of constantly changing patterns, both revealing and erasing present moments, which we try to capture with our pens/paintbrushes, keystrokes or cameras. There is an inner knowing that these moments may not come our way again. I felt this as I was writing my original post, “The Way Is Love”, there was a desire to capture the essence of a love story as it was happening and not write my story from memory. And I’m glad I did – the love story’s dream-like pattern has changed; the slender, older woman who was met by her beloved every early morning in our back alley, walks alone now. I was saddened to hear that he passed away not long ago from a cancer that came back charging into his life, leaving her to make her way home without his guiding presence. I’m pleased to write that we do run into each other often and she is slowly making her way, I have told her that her love story made it’s way into my blog and I hope it brings her some comfort.

Part two of this story is a reminder that there is another way to travel, we can choose to walk on the path of life even if we find ourselves alone – life is right here in front of us in all it’s technicolour glory, it is not meant to be put away for a rainy day or worried over because fall is coming, it is meant to be lived one exquisite moment at a time.

Love is in the air on Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.).

Beautiful fall colour captured in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.).

A perfect kaleidoscope pattern of Autumn leaves in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.)

Journal Entry: September 22, 2006 – Riu Jalisco Resort, Nayarit, Mexico

Going into Puerto Vallarta was a welcome break; the bustle of the small city, the ever-bright colours and familiar sights reminded me of a truer Mexico than the fantasy Mexico of resort living. We went on a long walk from the small bus depot near the Paloma del Mar hotel to the zocolo for a restroom break at city hall. We then walked to Cafe San Angel for a cold Corona and Pacifico. We noticed some dramatic changes, Hidalgo Park had indeed become an underground parking lot as we were told it would in 2004/2005. Originally it was a wild green space with a colourful, thriving market. As well, Lazaro Cardenas park is now in the process of becoming another underground parking area – there is a huge hole in the landscape, there is no more green oasis to enjoy before one heads towards Olas Altas!

Love is the way in the beautiful Vallarta Botanical Gardens, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The new and improved Lazaro Cardenas park near Olas Altas, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.