I sat there longer than I needed to, watching as the embers died away and staring out across the bay at the mountains beyond. The thought occurred to me as I sat there that I'm in a perfect place right now. I had never thought before about living in the perfect place or if one even existed. If I had thought about it, I don't know that I would have even thought that the perfect place to live even existed. I knew that there are some very cool places that are beautiful, relaxing, and wonderful to vacation. But, the perfect place to live? Not only would you have to find a job within driving distance of that place, but then you'd still have the daily/ weekly chores that come with living somewhere. Everything that goes along with living somewhere often taints your perceptions of it.
However, what I realized as I was sitting there this morning is that daily life hasn't tainted my perceptions on Port Alexander. And living here isn't always easy. This is a place where I can just sit and relax, enjoy living and breathing -- not always worry about work or getting something done. That is pretty huge for me, because I have always been the type of person who must be doing something at all times. I always had to be busy. If it was a nice day and the boys wanted to play outside, I would take work out with me to work on while I watched them, or I'd work on something outside, mow the lawn or work in the garage. Now, I find myself going outside just to sit and watch the birds or look out at the water. I'm still able to get the things done that need to be done, but I can relax also. I have to think that it has to do with the place itself.
To sit and listen to the people at the front dock, to watch from afar as they interact. I see the women working as hard as the men, getting fuel and cutting fire wood, cutting up fish and hauling buckets and boxes. It's a life style totally unlike others, a place different from anywhere else. It's my idea of perfect, at least right now. Because what I'm realizing is that there might be many versions of perfect for each person. It's about what you make of where you're at and finding the place where you feel comfortable. Finding your own fit. I've found my "fit" here, but that doesn't mean there isn't an equally comfortable "fit" somewhere else as well. It saddens me that I will have to leave here in less than a month, however I've come to know that leaving doesn't have to mean saying goodbye. I will forever hold this place in my heart and can come back to it anytime I wish. Vacation doesn't have to mean just taking a week or two in one place and going back home, it can mean having another place you call home and staying for a few months. I don't want to just visit here when I come again, it's the life I enjoy.
