Finding Contentment

Peace. The view from their coastal villa brought them peace. From their first visit, that sleepy seaside town had become important to them. It was intertwined into their lives and served as a tranquil bookmark, a serene highlighter for the many difficulties they have experienced throughout their life together.

Majesty. They had spent many hours, quietly marvelling at the natural majesty of the drama unfolding before their eyes. Watching with awe as the tides rolled out and rolled in, as they felt the warmth on their faces as the sun rose, dulling that crisp cool sea breeze, only for the warmth to dissipate gradually as the day moved on. Seagulls mewing and laughing overhead.

Wonder. Throughout their life together, there were many times when they had given way to wondering. Wondering whether the ups really did overshadow and dull out the downs to make it all worthwhile. The sunset over their sleepy coastal getaway always seemed to bring clarity to their minds. The arhythmical lapping of the waves eased them. When together, without distraction, they remembered.

Passion. It was under the sunset that they had lost themselves in the burning throes of passion. As they basked in the heat of the sun and of their flesh. Something about the romance and the mystery of the bigger picture, floored them and they gave way to their needs and desires without worry, concern or hesitation.

Uncertainty. A life worth living is not one without uncertainty. Many of their visits to their coastal retreat were almost overshadowed with the creeping power of uncertainty. That little bit of salt in the air in life, which sullies the sweetness. Before they wed, before they had children, before they retired. They learned, though, that uncertainty can be a gift and a guide.

Grief. Happiness and sadness are two polar opposites in life that we cannot avoid. People come, people go, people live, people die. There have been many times, too many to count, they have come to the edge of the country, to find answers, to find solace in the losses they have endured. To find warmth in the sun as it rises and sets above them, drying their tears and soothing their pains.

Contentment. Often a dirty and negative word, it best describes the feeling of belonging they have to one another. As they lie on the grass, gazing up at the sun as it dances in the sky for them before the curtains close on another day. As the salty sea breeze fills their lungs pleasantly and they embrace. Contentment in one another and the coast that has humbled them throughout their life together.

"Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor." - Benjamin Franklin

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Thanks for reading!

Author's Notes: The image was one by Rachel Deeming that was never used in the end as part of Mackenzie's photo prompt challenge. I have had ideas about writing a story, just a brief micro-type thing about this for a while. When I started writing it...it all seemed to come together. I hope you enjoy it.

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