| Author | Message | ||
| Crabracers |
I yearn for her smile. For her warmth and laughter, her graciousness and beauty. I want to feel her comfort and calming embrace. I yearn for the palm trees and almond trees, mango roots and greenery, sand crabs and egrets and man-o-war birds. All in the space and place they all should be. And for that moment, we too will be where we should be. I yearn to stand on my balcony, gazing out at TI and the azure blue ocean beyond. To feel the glow of the mid-day sun on my face. And eager to expose my pale, winter weary body to the soothing distant fires that hang in the sky. I yearn to see and hug and smile with all of the friends and family that have been absent from my life for more time than would have liked. There will be much laughter and love to look forward to. I yearn for the "first morning" moment, after the arrival day. That second when you first open your eyes and think, "We're here. We're finally home". To pull back the drapes and become overwhelmed and somewhat consumed by the early morning shining Eastern orb. As the haze and sun combine, it's as though it was creating a glowing limited time tunnel into which, we we are lured to play. I yearn to see all that is new as well. I have been staring at the artist renderings of what the "new" CTI will look like for way to long. Now I am impatient and anxious to walk through the doors, look out the windows, walk and sit and inhale all that I have seen on this screen. I yearn for the endless hours of absolute indulgence with sun, surf, sand, food, frolic, friendship. To drench myself in, and become absorbed with, every precious moment. From the tiniest sand crab scurrying across the warm sand towards its next burrow, to the moment when I look into the face of my life long companion, friend and lover. No words will be spoken, but there will be tears in both our eyes. But in that moment of connection, there is the love and the understanding, that has sustained our 42 year journey. Maybe it will happen in one of the restaurants while I'm passing her the Earl Grey teabag. Perhaps we will be strolling, as we have done so many times before, down by Bayside. Or we may be dancing some night. Whenever they take place, and there are many "moments" to capture at Couples, they are marvelous, magical, momentary, minutes of memory making. Amplified by, and adding to the joy of this intriguing, incredible place we could call "Issaland". He dreamt of, and built, a place for adults to experience the same excitement and thrill that kids get when they go to camp, or the circus or have a birthday. To love and be loved. Thank you Mr. Abe Issa. A yearning. Described as "a tender or urgent longing". "Tender or urgent". The tenderness often starts as soon as we are forced to leave and find more distant accomodations. Flooded with memories, they help to support me during the long absence. The "longing" begins with the moment the bus pulls up to the portico. And that often painful, seemingly endless amount of time that must pass until I am on another bus bringing me back again. "Tender or longing" These words can bring comfort or complaint. Sustenance and sorrow. But now the days are numbered with less and less and less some more for our return. It is at this time, when days dwindle down to a precious few, that we must remain strong, comforting each other whenever the opportunity arises. "Soon come. Soon come". And we do deep breathing exercises. Taking in large amounts of air through our nose and exhaling slowing through our lips. Calm. Control. Then we scream and yell and jump up and down and dance around. That works better for us. Keep smiling my gracious lady. Soon I will feel your warmth and hear your laughter. I will experience your beauty and be humbled by your graciousness and generosity. I so look forward to your comforting and calming embrace. I yearn for you. Richie | ||
| Rum_girl |
Richie, thank you for this. Your beautiful words sucked me in and brought me warmth on a very cold day. When you mentioned the Earl Grey Tea it reminded me how my husband always brought me my Earl Grey so I could drink it on the balcony at CTI - and I know he will again when we return in April. Thank you again, Lori  | ||
| Dlw |
You know just how to put my feelings into words even though we've never actually met! I did see you and Sylvia in 2007 (it took me all week to figure out you were the guy that wrote such beautiful words). Hope to run into you on April 30th or May 1st when we return home. I'll be reading this post over and over until then. Thanks for the wonderful visual! Debbie | ||
| Retriever |
Richie, Your way with words are beautiful and touching. We'll see you at CT in April. Barbara | ||
| Myapapya |
Crabracers, I am so touched by your words!!!!! It brought a tear to my eye and an ache to my heart to think of my lovely home!!! Thank you so much for that poetic description of the place I hold so dear to my heart. Mya | ||
| Bkhiattky |
Your writing and analogies bring tears to my eyes. You are so gifted. Thank you for your words, that truly define Couples CTI. Although I have to wait to return, I know it will be worth it. 2010 soon come. Kristen | ||
| Birie61 |
richie * sylvia I read this and cried like a big fool. You have truly expressed how broken our hearts really are. I hope when Randy and the powers that be in the Couples family read this they can better understand how we feel about not being able to go back not for one year but now two. And that despite our initial reactions of anger, frustration and denial..that our true feelings are those of being home sick and heart broken. They must not forget that they are the reason we want COR/CTI refurbished ASAP. That there are reasons we do not want to go to another hotel, that we would take our room in the "old building: with a comfortable bed and warm water.! (forget custom drapes and flat screen TVS) 23 years of everything you described above can only make you want to go home soon and CTI will not soon come for us. Greg and I hope you are both doing well, and in good health. We have opted for the CSA this year as we cannot change our dates of travel and must see our fabulous friends from allover. Hope to see you soon irie....and good bless | ||
| Mobob |
That was great Ritchie. I was wondering where you were. Haven't seen you on the board in awhile. Hope you are feeling well again after your ordeal and on the road to recovery. | ||
| Miakev |
Richie As usual you have touched our hearts. Thank you for the beautiful thoughts. I have been missing your posts on the board. Keep smiling and please please keep posting your wonderfulllll thoughts. | ||
| Justdiane |
Richie Just found this post.Love how you write!!!!Thanks for keeping TI alive for us while the count down slowly ticks away the days until we get there.I just can't wait to be there...okay soon come!!!! Love ya. | ||
| Nazie |
Richie, thank you for the beautiful words, you really know how to get the thoughts that many have into a wonderful posting. p.s. We have those moments with each other also. So thankful to be able to enjoy these beautiful locations, Mr. Issa foresaw. | ||
| Paulsue |
Richie, I don't know if you visit your post, to read what follows after such a post, but I have to say thank you, once again. You find the most eloquent way to put into words the ache in our hearts for the chance to go back to JA and 'home'..circumstances here may keep us away for a long time, but we have lovely memories just like what you describe, and do long to make more. Glad to read that you are doing well and looking forward to your upcoming trip home. Soak it all in, hold it to your heart and smile! Sue | ||
| Crabracers |
Thanks Sue. In looking back prior to 1993, the year we found Jamaica, we often can't seem to figure out just what we did with our lives. But since finding Couples, our lives have been enriched one hundred fold. And that ache hardly ever goes away, it just keeps nagging at us. And we love it. Now the long wait since Nov. 2007 is almost over. Our days are definitely numbered. Soon we will yearn no more. Until the next time. Richie | ||
| Rae_dave |
Richie, thanks; once again you have put my heart's feelings into words to behold and savor! We, too, are yearning, and waiting.... |