Table for One

Today, nostalgia showed up. As you read this post, keep in mind I’m currently under the influence of romantic comedies like You’ve Got Mail and sappy Taylor Swift songs. Thankfully, a nice walk on the beach sorts everything, as you will soon see. Indulge a young woman’s heart!

Although I’ve assimilated to living in Scotland and made friends fairly quickly, I do spend a good portion of my days alone. Then again, maybe I’ve unconsciously chosen the solitude. In the past, I’ve rarely had the opportunity to simply fly solo and wander about as I wish. Running errands and heading up expeditions on my own volition is such fun! Women have possessed independent spirits for ages and I’m so grateful that in this day and age I have the ability to embrace my liberty. Still, freedom comes with a price.

Today, I was surrounded with images of couples. Breakfast in the café at a “table for one” was markedly single and the Fife Costal Path was overrun with love-struck couples holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes. I know it’s incredibly weak of me to say, but despite such a bright morning I acutely felt the absence of a special someone in my life. I kept thinking how I wanted to share my day with The One. Silly, I know. Little moments of vulnerability come and go, but are certainly hard to ignore when they arrive.

Not wanting to wallow in self pity, I quickly regained my assured sense of purpose and kept tromping about the beach. Soon, I found an incredibly picturesque hill, climbed to the top, and was rewarded with a sweeping view of the sea and the harbor below. God has been so good to provide me with moments of assurance just when I need them. What a time to be young!

An aside, I decided that iPods are a terrific way to add a soundtrack to your life. I listened to this song while I was wistfully staring at the sea. From The Little Mermaid musical (what will they come up with next!?) this number actually quite describes how I’ve been feeling. And that’s me for now!

“The World Above”

Music by Alan Menken

Lyrics by Glenn Slater



ARIEL

This is where I belong

Beneath the clear wide blue here!

I feel completely new here in the world above!

It’s like my life was wrong

And somehow, now, at last I’m in

My own skin

Up here in the world above!



There’s so much light here

Light and space!

The sun’s so bright here

Upon my face!

It feels so right here

Warm as love…

Life seems to be

Almost calling to me

From this strange new world above!