The Journey Inward

My baby girl is all grown up,
drove across the entire US,
from New Jersey to Oregon,
stopped to take in some sights,
spent time with her dad,
got settled into her new home.

Three young women,
Coast Guard ensigns,
beginning their careers,
in a blue house,
on a peaceful street,
across from an elderly couple,
who sits on their front porch all day,
watching over them.

Her own bedroom,
her own bathroom,
a beautiful backyard,
a spacious kitchen,
a two car garage,
her very own place,
that is no longer this home,
but her new home.

She walks the beach,
drives onto it for fire rings,
or curling up in the back on a rainy day,
to crochet and watch the waves.
She hikes the nearby mountains,
rewarded with beautiful, lush views,
alone and with friends.

She explores new towns,
new walking paths,
new parks,
new places to grab a bite,
to shop for food,
to buy civilian clothes.

She flew to Hawaii,
to visit her boyfriend,
and spend time with her cousin,
figuring out airports,
travel, parking,
and tickets.

She mows her lawn,
vacuums and dusts,
goes food shopping,
pays the bills,
takes care of her car,
entertains,
wants an Oregon license and plate.

She started work,
stood watch,
began her quals,
and tomorrow ships out for a month,
her first tour at sea.

Her crew bonds,
over morning runs,
long hikes,
two hour games of frisbee,
and cookouts at each other's houses.

My baby girl is all grown up,
out on her own,
thriving, learning, growing,
learning and loving a new place.

My baby girl is happy!

Photo:  Oswald West State Park, Neahkahnie Mountain, OR.  7.19.25 by GHC