Life is Short, Paddleboard Now

This life that I live takes me many places,
This time New Orleans and Daytona Beach. 
On this trip I'm lucky to have Chrissy along, 
When we're together fun is always in reach.

Four days of music, two days of conference, 
The inbox beyond overflowing. 
We woke up that morning and checked the calendar:
"Paddleboard tour" - it's time to get going.

For a brief moment, doubt kicked in. 
I questioned why I’d booked this today.
The task list was long, deliverables were due, 
But New England will be cold well into May.

My younger self was more intense, 
Not a weekday-on-the-water kind of fellow. 
But as life goes on, I realize it's short.
Each year I find myself more mellow.

So the laptop stayed closed and with bathing suits on,
Down to the boat ramp we go.
To meet with our guide, put the boards in the water,
And paddle out for nature's morning show.

We both grew up near the Gulf Coast beaches
(Hard to believe we've been eight years away), 
But the Halifax River felt quite familiar, 
Like the waters of Sarasota Bay.

The wind was light, the water was flat,
And our guide was a man of the sea. 
We saw dolphins, jellyfish, many shorebirds, 
And two gentle giants - yes, manatee.

We paddled around for an hour or two,
Enjoying the sun and salt air. 
There's something about being on water, 
It's good for the soul out there.

It was a beautiful morning out on the boards,
And by afternoon I was back online, 
Answering emails and editing spreadsheets, 
But grateful for a little Island Time.