SurTHRIVEor: Florida, Sunsets And Gratitude

One of the things I miss the most about living in Florida is watching the sun set. It's engrained in the culture there.
In Key West locals and tourists alike gather at Mallory Square every day for Sunset Celebration. Originated by Tennessee Williams - as the legend goes - who would applaud the end of the day with the sun set.
And a gin and tonic.
Today it has evolved into a party with artists, entertainers, music and food. Everyone gathers to watch as the sun sinks lower and lower into the Gulf. And when the last fiery bit of it slips below the water line the crowd erupts into cheers and applause. The sky burns orange on the horizon, and fades into pale lilac and then dark purple as night follows closely behind. If you're lucky there will be a few clouds that add an incredible layer of dimension to the show. Truly beautiful, breathtaking-Glory-of-God moments.
And Florida is so ridiculously flat, if you lived anywhere on the Gulf Coast you could catch the sunset any time.
I used to sit in the grocery store parking lot after work and watch!

But my favorite place in Florida to watch the sun set is Pass A Grille beach. As a child, my family would vacation every summer in St. Petersburg and we spent a lot of time there. The snack bar, The Hurricane restaurant and that beach hold many memories. As an adult living in Brandon, I would make the almost hour long drive to go sit in the sand and watch the sun go down. This was particularly soothing to me during some difficult times. Somehow being there would calm me and help me put things in perspective. And always I would be filled with a deep sense of gratitude.

Since moving to Raleigh I have had a difficult time finding the proper vantage point to catch a spectacular sunset, like the ones I'm used to. This area is much more hilly and densely wooded that it's not as easy as you would think. As I become more familiar with the town I make a mental note when I happen to find a sweet spot.
I am also lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the sunset from the hill just outside my apartment. But it's just not the same as my Florida sunsets.
The most beautiful sunset I have seen in North Carolina was ironically enough, in a grocery store parking lot. It was also the last sunset of 2012. I caught it by accident. I stood at the edge of the lot with cars whizzing by, and I watched the glorious show. With joy and gratitude I said 'Thank You' for another day. And I smiled because I had the overwhelming sense the He was telling me the best is yet to come. It was a perfect way to end the year.