!"#$
%&' %(
"')!
%!
%
FROM THE FRONT PORCH continued FROM THE FRONT PORCH continued
FROM THE FRONT PORCH con't. next column FROM THE FRONT PORCH con't. next column
!"
#$$
"%&'$()&*+,,''
Kyle of Costa Maya
by Rebekah King
“You should come too!” exclaims Kyle as
I check out at his shop counter. I’ve found a
Tiger's Eye heart pendant on a black chain along
with some earrings to match. Looking forward
to wearing them to dinner accompanying my
black dress, I’m excited to purchase these new
treasures yet even more excited to find a kindred
spirit in Kyle. His shop is filled with treasures
of both earth and sea with carved sculptures,
polished stones, and displays of exotic shells.
Discarding the coat and tie of the corporate
world, Kyle now wears flip flops, tan shorts, and
a tank top along with his sun–kissed cheeks,
highlighted lengths, and a smile as big as his
dreams!
Kyle of Costa Maya, yep, he packed up his
stuff, rejected the rat race, and left the cold,
corporate world of Michigan to head south to
the warm waters of the Caribbean. Deciding
on Costa Maya, he and his partner established
a new life far away from the expected normal.
To see an North American settled amongst the
Central came as a pleasant surprise! An envious
one at that. In between customers, we talk. I
listen to his narrative, see him living his dream,
and consider my own journey.
One can see the cruise ship to the left of
the horizon where the waters lap around the
harbor. Kyle’s shop, along with the others, sits
parallel to the ocean where aqua waves roll
into white splashes of golden sunlight. White
chairs under striped umbrellas invite visits from
vendors carrying shell necklaces, straw hats,
and trinkets. Refreshing piña coladas served
from carved pineapples topped in cherries and
tiny striped umbrellas entice. It seems that
every man is named José! The man from whom
I bought my hat—José. The man from whom I
bought my refreshment—José. The man from
whom I bought my personalized ornament—
José! I laugh and find it easy to remember my
new friends.
Maria waves from a row of tables lining
the beach front where the white linens wave
in tandem from the ocean breeze. She met me
going down to the waters; her services include a
massage enriched with coconut oil and minerals
from the sea—$30 for an hour massage! Pure
heaven in paradise I’m sure of it, but an offer
declined as I watch my children play. Next time
maybe.
This little tourist port in Mexico mimics others
along the Caribbean exclusively created to attract
cruise ships. Costa Maya’s claim to fame remains
the discovered Mayan ruins, stretches of virgin
beaches, and an opportunity for growth as this
new attraction gains popularity. Once the ships
arrive into port, activity flourishes with the taxis
and buses inviting rides to new sites. Drivers vie
for riders with warm smiles and packets of info
to educate eager travelers wondering their next
adventure. Buses accelerate the commotion
while show stoppers of monkeys, trapeze artists,
and musicians entertain the swirling activity as
both locals and tourists enjoy a win-win!
We choose a trip to the ancient Mayan ruins
and settle into the plush seats of a tour bus and
soon enter the countryside of reality. Road side
stands overflow with golden fresh pineapples
stacked high; the locals harvest pineapples like
we do peaches and muscadines. The parents
patiently await their next sell while children
run and play; bicycles serve as transportation;
homes find shelter within concrete blocks
under thatched roofs. Life is simple although
complicated in the hunger of survival, yet
beautiful nonetheless. Families work the native
soil with their children by their side; they live,
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
In a world where daily life consists of
securing food, shelter, and clothing, they labor.
With each sunrise and sunset, their lives revolve
around the basic necessities of life where the
strong endure and the weak slip away into
the next life. I don’t pretend to understand
the complexities of sociology, but as a mere
observer, I recognize poverty defined as, “the
state or condition of having little or no money,
goods, or means of support.” (Dictionary. com)
Amidst their poverty, I appreciate the riches of
simplicity, of living in harmony with nature, of
community. One can sense their excitement
of new beginnings, as tourists encourage their
economy and awaken a longing for a better life.
Along the way, I join the locals in much soul
searching. Truly travel is the best education
wherein one embraces new people, cultures,
and ideas so different than their own. When
the world you so believe to be normal interacts
with another “so abnormal,” an awakening
begins. Maybe poverty is manageable with
the basic needs met? In contrast, poverty with
unsustainable debt suffocates the life out of
so many families back home attempting the
American Dream.
They look at me—the blonde American with
the beautiful family who left her gorgeous home
to cruise the Caribbean for some holiday fun—
what a beautiful life, from the outside! However
when you open the door and look inside, reality
hits home. The mortgage is late; the cruise is on a
credit card; the debt, the deceit, the dysfunction
chosen by the man in charge are crushing my
family living “the American Dream.” Such a life
becomes a suffocating noose to those longing
for true, simple sustainable living—to live within
their means, to live with honor and dignity in
the marketplace, to simply—LIVE! Once one
summons the courage to choose life, survival to
live overthrows the slow death of mere existence.
In turn, I look at them and see the simple
beauty of home surrounded by the sea. Sure
the dwellings are tiny compared to American
standards, but they are filled with beloved family.
Their children run and play as do mine. They
too may have dysfunction forced upon them,
but their simplicity seems like a taste of heaven
compared with our normal neighborhoods of 3
story vinyl clad homes with 2 car garages filled
to capacity along with maxed out storage units,
credit cards, mortgages, and over—scheduled
lives.
Whenever I see the concrete block home
rather than an oversized vinyl 3 story featuring
30 years of interest, I see freedom. Whenever I
see a bicycle rather than the 2 fancy cars with
payments or the sunset over the mountainside
rather than a theater room with Bose on credit,
my heart beats a little stronger. When I see
children playing with lizards and tree frogs rather
than with their cell phones and electronics, my
soul remembers sweet childhood. Whenever I
see friends meeting face to face with hugs and
laughter while catching up in the downtown
market rather than our normal of facebook,
snapchat, and twitter, I smile. Call me an old
soul, but no matter what, the simple things
truly are the grandest! These locals may have
“nothing” in the world’s eyes, but they have the
richest of blessings in family and basic needs met.
The dream of many remains to come to
America for a better life. Define better. Does that
mean more? Along with the “more” comes more
debt, responsibility, and possessions to manage.
YES! We are so blessed to live in America, but
“less is more” no matter where one calls home.
More or less, I think we all ultimately desire the
same things from life such as: To love and be
loved. To care for our children. To feel safe and
secure with the basics provided. To enjoy time
shared with family and friends with some time
left over to fulfill dreams, explore interests, find
rest—to live. And I mean really live. To live a life
consumed with love, grace, peace, and kindness
rather than an unsustainable life charged on
credit. To give and serve, to love and laugh—
living authentically is a beautiful gift!
In her poem, “Living Life,” I like how Bonnie
L. Mohr sums up how to live. She writes, “Life
is not a race but indeed a journey. Be honest.
Work hard. Be choosy. Say, “Thank you,” “I love
you,” and “Great job,” to someone each day. Go
to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth,
and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean
more than pen and paper. Love your life and
what you’ve been given; it is not accidental—
search for your purpose and do it as best you
can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to
become that which you aspire to be. Laugh
often. Appreciate the little things in life and
enjoy them. Some of the best things really
are free. Do not worry; less wrinkles are more
becoming. Forgive; it frees the soul. Take time
for yourself—plan for longevity. Recognize the
special people you’ve been blessed to know. Live
for today; enjoy the moment.”
Happy New Year 2019, my friends! I’ll be
wearing my necklace and earrings from Kyle
as I journey into all things NEW with beautiful,
simple, sustainable living! No matter from Costa
Maya or Pinehurst, just as Kyle determined his
destiny, so can you! Lose the weight, the debt,
the toxic, the whatever is stealing your joy!
Today is the day; make it count! And believe
me,“You should come too!”☐
My Tiger's Eye earrings
& pendant represent the
courage to choose life.
No. 133 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.3
/www.fillyandcolts.com