A Single Breath: I held back on celebrating until I returned from San Diego to see how things turned out. I’m happy to say that not only was Scott’s graduation fantastic, I got to enjoy every minute of it – even outside. What does this mean? It means we found a medicine or a family or medicines that will successfully treat my malady. I can live again. I can hike again. I can SHOOT again!
These are a few from Wednesday, our first full day there. A rest day after the nine hour drive on Tuesday, and a day before the Family Day festivities at MCRD. After a long sleep in and massive feed at the restaurant, we headed out to Point Loma. I have wanted to visit there every time I’ve been int he area but never found the time. I made it a point this time, and I’m so glad I did. The view alone is spectacular – San Diego Bay, the city, and the surrounding areas are all visible from up there. What truly moved me was the Naval Cemetery. God Bless them all.
A Single Breath
A Single Breath: Getting Back Into It, Gratefully
Getting back into the groove of daily life after a crushing health setback brings a profound sense of relief and renewed joy. For months, a relentless coughing problem felt like an absolute crusher, stripping away simple pleasures and keeping the outdoors entirely out of reach. The frustration of missing out on hikes, walks, and photography threatened to drain every ounce of creative engine and mental stamina. Yet, the latest infusion treatment opened up a whole new horizon, granting an entire week in San Diego spent out in the open air, capturing countless photos, and honoring a deep commitment to stand side by side with a grandson throughout his own journey.
When breath returns, gratitude follows right behind it. The sheer triumph of taking in fresh air without the violent disruption of a cough is something only someone who has lost it can truly appreciate.
A Single Breath
A lone clean breathe
Taken in a song I suddenly sang
With a hooty-hoot in happy harmony;
Made today a better time than any in a while
To crow about an oh so silly thing, really.
A thing so commonplace one would wonder,
‘What’s the big deal?’
And I answer in a long drawn out exhalation of precious, needed, hated, killer, usually cough-making air – without coughing.
“Just watch, you Mother-Flipper”
Reclaiming the Lens and the Open Trail
To anyone else, an unhindered exhalation is a completely mundane act, something so commonplace that most people never give it a second thought. But after long stretches of isolation and physical decline, breathing cleanly becomes the ultimate victory. It marks the exact moment where frustration stops seeping in and true healing takes its place. Stepping back into the saddle does not require rushing or forcing a grand comeback; it begins by savoring the small, vital wins like walking outside, holding a camera again, and feeling the warm sun.
Reconnecting with family, capturing the beauty of the world through a camera lens, and being present for loved ones provides the exact purpose needed to keep moving forward. The dark days of feeling trapped inside are giving way to new momentum, showing that even when life feels nearly bare, grace, resilience, and A Single Breath can restore everything that matters.
Point Loma
With medical answers finally taking hold and a week of successful outdoor living in the books, the path ahead looks brighter than it has in a very long time. Taking life one clean breath at a time proves that no matter how tough the battle has been, there is still so much world left to see, capture, and enjoy.
And, by God, will I ever do that!
The navy stages helicopters out of there mostly but this week the Hornet pilots sitting on their butts right now while two huge carriers are in ports were making Touch and Go runs at the air-strip.
Also, If there’s a more beautiful city in the USA, I can’t think of one – San Diego, CA – where the Sun goes to vacation.
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