Another early start today and an almost repeat of yesterday’s routine sans the angst. I get to the beach parking lot a little after dawn at about 6:30.

I begin with a 7 mile run through the harbor. As I am running down Camino Capistrano just before Heritage park, I notice a truck with a Del Taco sticker on its rear window. I saw this same truck here yesterday morning. This is an affluent street. Houses on this side of the street sit on the bluff overlooking the harbor and most are likely in the 8 figure (over 10 million for those that don’t like to count zeros) price range. So it strikes me as odd that someone living here would be enthusiastically proclaiming their allegiance to Del Taco. Now I totally would commend them for doing so. As Mexican fast food goes, I think Del Taco is the clear winner. It is at least real food unlike the test tube gruel one might find at Taco Bell. I’m wondering if maybe this is a Del Taco executive. Their HQ is not far from here. Who knows?

Less than a block away in Heritage park, there is a homeless man sitting on the stairs with a towel over his head. I feel for him. He looks lost inside. We’ve all been lost inside, but some have a more difficult time finding our way. I don’t have anything on me to give to him and say “God bless you” and then feel totally lame for saying that. I hear the words come out of my mouth and they sound so utterly mechanical. I don’t often speak to strangers so it’s already weird and I usually don’t tell people “God bless you” because that is not how I talk. However, I wonder if in the mind of someone who is homeless, perhaps those words hold deeper meaning.

Also, I’ve noticed lately in my old testament readings the significance of a blessing. For example, the story of Jacob and Esau seeking the blessing from their father Isaac. They both thought that receiving his blessing was a huge deal. The blessing itself was just words, but Jacob and Esau and I think their entire culture see those words as having power to shape a life. The fact is that words are powerful and especially so when you believe them. I think I underestimate the power of words. Maybe talk is not cheap.

As I am leaving the park, heading down the stairs that leads to Dana Point Harbor Dr., I see another homeless person sleeping in a drainage gutter. I don’t say anything.

After the run, I change into my swim trunks and head for the beach. It is good solid cloud coverage this morning but warm.

When I reach the water, the temperature feels similar on my feet as it did yesterday. Surf is also down another notch and it was already down so it is indeed very much down.

The water is very nice. I think perhaps a degree or two warmer than yesterday. Visibility is practically nil. It’s yellowish brown again today. I’m wondering when I will see the ocean floor again.

I don’t see any lobster trap buoys today. Yesterday was the beginning of recreational lobster season. There was a lot of nautical activity out past the cove near the ocean institute last night as divers were checking their traps. Usually this time of year I find several traps along my swims. Nothing today.

After I finish up the swim I catch up with a couple other swimmers and we all comment on the warm water temperature. One thinks it is 72 and the other says 71. Yeah it could be but I probably would have gone 68-69ish. I just enjoy talking to other swimmers which I don’t often do because there are not a lot of them. I have also noticed that many swimmers are not very social (myself included). It is definitely not a social sport. Even if you do swim in a group, you are in the water and can’t really talk. If you find talking awkward, being in an environment where it’s not even possible can have its appeal.

I need to get to the car anyways and get to church on time so I head up the stairs, shower and grab a coffee at the Starbucks off Crown Valley and PCH.

I make it in plenty of time. One of the songs we sing today is from the blessing in Numbers 6:24-26:

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

This is often referred to as the Priestly blessing. I find this extremely moving. This blessing has been recited for at least three thousand years. When I hear it sung or recited I feel the weight of its rich rich legacy. I feel like I am singing with the countless lives of the others who have spoken and heard these words. I feel bound to a humanity that finds connection in something larger than themselves and gives life. Something that is gracious, that turns towards us and gives us peace.