The ship rocked back and forth ever so slightly, the same rhythm a parent rocks their infant who is on the cusp of falling asleep.
Rain spit, enough to speckle the window, but not enough to streak it.
Over my left shoulder, I heard one man say to another “the pawn goes here” and I knew someone was learning to play chess.
A raucous uproar over my right shoulder told me someone played the winning card. The group was immediately shushed by others, but it made me smile.
I was sitting on the top floor of the cruise ship, as front and center as I could be, on our recent cruise around Iceland. The winds on the high seas had kept us tucked into the corner of this fjord and gave us an unplanned day with nowhere to go. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed the free day except Mr. Grumpypants who I met in the elevator. I speculated he’d raised grumpiness to an art form. His wife ignored him, so I did, too.
As I sat and watched and listened to the world around me, I had a moment. I’m sure you’ve experienced this – when time and space collide to overwhelm you with peace and gratitude. This happened to me a couple of years ago at Glacier National Park and now again, I had the same feeling. It may have also been a total lack of news that contributed to this as well.
As rough as the seas were, my heart was calm.
As gray as the skies were, my attitude was bright.
As sleepy as the day was, I was wide-awake.
I have good health, a strong network of family and friends, a comfortable home, and many interests. I have the opportunity to travel.
And on this day, because we’d just visited the village of Seyoisfjordur (pop. 750) the day before, I was grateful that I didn’t need to travel two fjords over to visit a doctor, yet I’m mindful that equivalent is happening more and more in our country.
I was grateful I had more than five classmates as I was growing up.
I was grateful I didn’t have to say good-bye to the men in my family for months at a time as they fished in the cold, winter months.
And truthfully, I was grateful I wasn’t living in the world’s most expensive country.
There were ten in our group, and we’d traveled from Arizona, Indiana and Ohio. Everyone knew at least one person, but no one knew everyone. By the time we’d met for happy hour at the end of this particular afternoon, I felt like they’d all been long-time friends. And perhaps, when I reflect on this trip, that is what I will be the most grateful for. Not the scenery though it was beautiful, not the new and unusual foods, not the different culture, not even the puffins. I will remember the people I raised a glass with, I laughed with, I lost in euchre to, I danced with. Does it get better than that?
What makes your heart swell with gratitude?
Fantastic travel story. It checked all the boxes. The feeling of being blessed to have the luxury to travel, the emotion of experiencing other cultures and scenery’s and the joy of sharing it with friends now and for years to come.
There’s no word in the English language that describes this kind of gratitude but as always you captured it in your writing
Forgive my grammar
Thank you, Joy. You kow this feeling that travel brings better than most.
This is masterful:
As rough as the seas were, my heart was calm.
As gray as the skies were, my attitude was bright.
As sleepy as the day was, I was wide-awake.
As the Norwegians say, you are experiencing “hygge,” a cozy, contentment. ?My husband would be Mr.Grumpypants. I love an unexpected sea day.
Oh my goodness, thank you. And yes, that word describes it beautifully. Thank you so much.
What a lovely snapshot of a day, a trip and how grateful you were!
Thank you, Julie. A little peace and solitude is good for the soul.
We miss you already! What a beautiful tribute to what was, one of the most memorable trips ever. Thank you,Pam. So grateful we met and had this experience together. Until next time💜
Kelli
Until next time, indeed. Thanks Kelli.
Such a good story teller! Makes me remember I have experienced similar feelings .
Wonderful, Pam! Thank you
Thank you, Carol. Yes, I’m sure youve had similar experiences and continue to make these kind of memories.
Pam – your words made me smile, just like spending time with you made me smile. Thanks for capturing these pearls. And thanks for helping to make some great memories for all of us.
Thank you, Doug. Kind words from a kind man.
Grateful for so many and so much – friends, family, people who were once strangers, opportunities, travel, health and reading your blog to remind me to look around be grateful and as often as possible recognize it and acknowledge it out loud!
Thanks for the difference you make every chance you get for so many.
So happy you had such another amazing journey.
Recognize and acknowledge it out loud. That is beautiful! So glad we spent 2 years laughing (and crying?) together in Japan. Thanks.
All the same things make me grateful every day, and for even that, I rejoice. Being able to see and appreciate all the wealth around us, from family and friends and adventures to activities, is a wonderful thing. Perspective is so key. Thank you for this glimpse into what sounds like a fantastic trip in every way. After visiting Iceland last year, I was SO grateful NOT to live anywhere near a volcano! Still am!
Not living next to a volcano. Great point and thanks for the reminder. Thanks, Beth.
What a beautiful little summation that took me right back to our unexpected day at sea and the many unexpected and wonderous joys of our journey! Looking forward to more adventures and so thankful to have enjoyed the beauty of Iceland with our merry flock and “one lucky Doug”! Thanks for making it so special and reminding me to savor it!
So glad you’ve enjoyed this, Dawn. Our merry flock and one lucky Doug. Great! Thanks, Dawn.
In my traveling days, I enjoyed the excitement of new surroundings, new people (both those I was traveling with and those we met), new food, and new knowledge. Upon arriving home and reflecting upon the trip, I would once again be grateful for the country that I lived in—despite its faults. I have so enjoyed the trip to Iceland with you as all I ever knew about it came from a friend who had relatives there and travelled there frequently: she craved fresh fruit and vegetables and hated eating meat while there. That was years ago and perhaps things have changed. Thanks for the new snapshot of that country.
Pam,
I loved the description and reflection on our trip. It was truly special with the beauty, fun and fantastic people.
Thanks for sharing.
Joni
Thank you, Joni. I appreciate your kind words.
Seeing a polar bear and a walrus which most people never get to see. Getting to know strangers on a cruise and going home with new Facebook friends and emails. All the while learning more about the harm done to our spaceship earth and the good we are trying to do for it.
Adrian from Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland.
You had quite a trip and yes, saw both sides of the natural world.