Back to Nokomis

I had another opportunity to visit Florida, and to return to Nokomis. The trip itself was a family reunion – a longer story for another entry – but my sisters and I managed to visit Nokomis twice, once for the Wednesday night drum circle, and again on Valentine’s Day, which was also the first anniversary of Nick’s death.

It seems odd that the place where I can mourn Nick so deeply is a place that has no connection to him; a place I never saw before his death. Perhaps that is why it is my mourning place; a place that relects me afterwards; me moving forward alone.

Sitting on the beach of Nokomis, surrounded by the love of my two big sisters, talking old stories, old memories. Once again, the sands of Nokomis, the waters of the Gulf and the love of family healed my pain.

Of course, my pain will never be fully healed. There are still times when a sudden memory makes me cry. But sister love is strong, and I can think of no better way to have spent that first anniversary that I was dreading so much.