Musings & Threads. Island Breezes and Life.

Feb 12

Feb 12 Musings & Threads. Island Breezes and Life.

The Real Key West, Angela Rieck, Musings & Threads, Life Ramblings

Island Breezes and Life

One of the characteristics that sets Key West apart from Florida is its trade winds. These steady winds keep Key West about 10 degrees cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The winds rustling through the palm leaves provide a soothing sound. The breezes rush around me, enveloping me in warmth, relaxing my mind and body, allowing me to stop and be aware of their presence.

Every day I ride my bicycle around the island, about 7 miles. The breezes make the ride challenging when I am going against them, so I plan my route so that I ride toward them to start and end with the breezes at my back.

The wind, the beautiful colors of the ocean, the briny smell mixed with the familiar scent of suntan lotion make it a great way to get exercise. While riding against the breeze is challenging, the ride back is delightful, with the Atlantic Ocean on the left and breezes that allow me to coast and be present in the beauty. This is where it gets interesting. When I am riding with the breeze at my back, it feels as if breeze has stopped. Instead I feel like I am bicycling expert, racing down the path with little effort, even sweating a little from the sun’s rays.

And that is where it becomes a metaphor for life. When the trade winds are against me, I can feel every strain, the breeze feels so strong and daunting. But when the breeze is at my back, I think that I am just “crushing it” that I am a great cyclist. So, when the life turns against me, I strain, I suffer, it is hard, I see all of the obstacles, I want to quit. But when life is going well, I believe that it is me and I don’t turn around to appreciate all the forces and people that are making me so successful.

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Angela Rieck

I WAS an executive of a large insurance company, a Ph.D. in Mathematical Psychology (go Terps!), a mother, a wife, a community leader, a volunteer, an animal rescuer, a friend and a philosopher. I used to be funny, smart, with a keen eye for the absurdities of life. But now I feel defined by what I have lost, my career, my husband (who died from cancer August 2015), my 35+ year life in Morristown, NJ, possessions (stolen), volunteer work, two of my beloved dogs, my parents, friends, but most of all, my purpose. What remains is an amazing 25 year old daughter and the daunting task of creating a new life. I am fortunate enough to spend time in Key West, FL and St. Michaels MD. While trying to understand these 2½ years of loss, I started to chronicle my feelings, thoughts and philosophies. I wrote to communicate, to understand, to reflect, to find a direction. People who read my posts said, “you are a writer,” so I am grasping onto this skill to find where it takes me. I am grateful for what remains, my daughter, my family, my friends, my husband’s family…and I will keep my promise to my husband to build on what is left. Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you.