The Peninsula House Diaries...
continued…
As the taxi driver began driving me out of town I couldn't help but notice the huge potholes in the roads… likely the result of recent nightly rainfalls… we climbed hill after hill… it was pretty crazy… after some spastic corners and climbs… we reached the gate to The Peninsula House… they buzzed us in and then the real curves and turns began… the driveway was a wonderful curvy road with a side gulch for rain to run down the hill… it was interesting, filled with steep angles that the taxi driver had to maneuver through… and then whew, suddenly out of nowhere around the final bend… the most beautiful house I’ve laid eyes on!!!
I exited the taxi and was immediately greeted by two of the most beautiful dogs… they were Rhodesian Ridgebacks… just gorgeous… and alongside them... two absolutely beautiful men in gorgeous white linen! Wow, I thought I had just exited the plane and landed on fantasy island! ;) … then there was Puppy Monster… a local breed puppy-ish playful doggie who also made a point to come up to me and say hello… he too… beautiful… but, his beauty lies mostly within… Thomas, the owner of the house shared with me the story of how he found Puppy Monster in the road on new years last year. He said he seen something strange in the road, but thought in no way could it be a dog... maybe a huge spider or something... he investigated anyway... there was Puppy... he scooped him up and gave him a new home at The Peninsula House...
There are many local wild dogs that litter the island… it is quite sad really… when I passed through town and milled on the beaches… the doggies wandered about… such sadness in their faces and eyes… I felt very sad for them… but hugged and kissed them none-the-less :)*“Puppy” monster hit a soft spot with me immediately… he made me feel very happy and less sad about being so homesick and away from my beloved Chico, miniature pincher, who makes me smile with unconditional love and loyalty… I was missing him terribly.
Once greeted properly by all three doggies... I took a brief tour of the Peninsula House… it was gorgeous… I described it to my mom as…
"If you were to build me a life-size doll house; specifically designed for me... this is what it would look like!" ... inside and out... it is absolutely perfect!!!
I retired to my room… it was perfectly decorated for me! I was feeling very morose… here I was surrounded by the most incredible beauty and serenity… but, still life carries on… and the reality of this weekend marked my 'would be' 14th year wedding anniversary… a memory that shines brightly til this day… I was sad… my room became my refuge… I could no longer hold back tears as I closed the doors to the veranda outside the room and settled in for an dreamy afternoon nap… I cried myself to sleep… sad, wasted tears littered my pillow… I dreamed…
I awoke a couple hours later… opened the doors of my room… the light breeze and fresh air was magical! I ventured out of my room and made my way to the main floor veranda… the furniture, plants, paintings, music, décor… was all out of a dream itself… a bit of an antique and interior decorator myself, I thought it was absolutely splendid!!! I walked around the house and entertained myself with each and every little detail that illuminated my presence… little framed photographs in the library caught my direct attention… they were so simple… so lovely... I thought… these are the people who this house honors…
I lingered back outside to the veranda… again… the men in white… beautiful… this place is so serene and awe-inspiring… literally took my breath away… and I was struggling to hold back the tears… I was sad that I couldn’t share this moment with someone special… here I was all alone in complete paradise… encompassed in an environment that leaves you with nothing but the notion of contemplating your life… a place that gives you the opportunity to wipe the slate clean… but, it was painful to succumb to this reality and enjoy it completely… the reality that it was only me… a moment and time for me to face my thoughts, failures, loneliness all by myself… my thoughts being that which was sharing this most escapist encounter…
I ventured out onto the property to find a secluded lounge and read a book… I began reading…
This phrase stood out from the book… I underlined it…
“Faith is about doing. You are how you act, not just how you believe."
Fitting for me and my thoughts of struggle right now in my life... I was in this mode of self condemnation… feeling very badly for my failures in life… and this single trip was taking it’s toll on me… then I read this…
“I asked if you felt they were perfect? (your parents)… of if they needed improvement…you said they weren’t perfect, but… they don’t need improvement… this is very insightful… do you know why? … because it means you are willing to accept people as they are… nobody is perfect… that’s okay… “May the Lord cause his countenance to shine upon you…” So now I am blessed, the Lord shines on me…
I looked out over the land in front of me and below… "I got it!" I felt God’s presence and forgiveness… however, I still could not accept it… I began to cry… and just at that moment… from out of nowhere… Puppy Monster charges up to me, lays his sweet arms over my legs and licks away the tears on my face… I am taken back… humbled… I kissed his beautiful little face… hugged him tight… he stayed there for a few more seconds… then, as if he knew he had done what he came to do… he charged back up to the house…
There is such sweetness the sincere telepathy of animals... and how they just know when you are sad... and are able to make you feel better... I felt blessed! I turned around and took some snapshots… the sunshine was beautiful through the trees… day was dawning…
… to be continued.
“The only tyrant I accept in this world is the still voice within.” – Mohandas Gandhi
Love wins.
j. marshon
p.s. see additional photographs of this day here... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=136133&id=539347752&saved#/photo.php?pid=3401064&id=539347752
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