Different and Difficult Monday

Jupiter Island Beach
Jupiter, FL
October 10, 2022

 I am still numb, even this morning, from the passing of Makayla during yesterday's pre-dawn hours. 

Once sunrise occurred yesterday,  Chris and I decided to head to the beach for a walk to enjoy the sun, the sand, and the surf. We thought a beach walk would help us to begin processing Makayla's passing. Upon arriving at our favorite beach, we found that the storms had deposited piles of sea grasses and sargassum which combined with the high tide made walking impractical. So we stood for a few minutes and just enjoyed the sounds of the waves, the feel of the sun, and the smell of the ocean. 

It was, after all, Chris's first morning home after her 10-day Maryland trip. It was good to have her home, especially with everything that had happened already during the still early morning hours of the day. 

Egret Hunting
Square Grouper, Jupiter, FL
October 10, 2022

When we arrived back home after the aborted beach walk,  I announced that I was going out on a bike ride to clear my head. Chris wanted to join me and we set out on what I had planned as a short and easy 8-mile ride. About 3 miles into the ride, Chris developed a flat tire. It reminded me of my flat tire last week. The bike ride was doomed much like the beach walk. Even though I had my newly assembled tire repair kit with me, I decided to ride back and get the truck to retrieve Chris and her bike. I think I am going to buy her a new bike this week. She is riding a second-hand bike and she really deserves one built and adjusted for her. I enjoy riding with her.

Here it was still before 10 AM and it had already turned into a very different and difficult Monday. 

We busied ourselves for most of the remainder of the day with a trip to the airport to retrieve friends, lunch, a nap, and getting the Halloween decorations displayed. I am not a huge Halloween fan, but we decorate to enjoy the season. 

We closed out the day at our favorite watering hole, the Square Grouper, for some nachos and adult beverages. The Square Grouper, situated along the banks of the Loxahatchee River looking at the Jupiter Lighthouse, is one of my favorite places. There is almost always some activity to watch be it boats, or fish, or birds, or the people in the bar. Being off-season, the bar was not packed and it is still an enjoyable place. Soon, however, as the snow birds begin arriving it will be very difficult to find parking and tables to sit and enjoy the view will be scarce.

I sincerely hope that today is better than yesterday. I already has started out better. I am still coming to terms with how big a hole Makayla's passing has left in my life, and heart. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL