Every year Labor Day brings with it the ‘unofficial’ end of summer. For me it’s a chance to reflect on a recent day at the beach. No question the best time of day by the ocean is very late afternoon. Once last week I arrived later than usual at 4:40 PM and the images I saw as well as the words I heard gave me pause and were much appreciated. Sometimes depending on where your beach chair happens to land you may be subject to overtired, unhappy children, grumbling adults, 'language challenged' teens, and any manner of obnoxious annoying sights and sounds. All this when you just want to have a refreshing swim, peacefully read your book or just enjoy the rejuvenating powers of the sun, sand, air and water.
No negativity on this particular day only lovingly beautiful images. First a family of three settling in to my left mother, father and son James about 12 years of age. It was a pleasure to observe this young boy so obviously kind and respectful to his parents even though he wanted them to go in the water and they preferred just to sit. At one point the Dad took some photos of his son with the ocean in the background. Even though the boy urged him to hurry when the ‘photo session’ was over the son gave his father a big hug.
The second image was directly in front of me as patient, loving grandparents were completely attentive to their 2-3 year old grandson, Dylan. They played with him digging holes in the sand, going into the water, offering cookies, and completely enjoying precious time at the beach with this beautiful little child.
About 5:15 PM I observed image number three as a father arrived with his three children ages ranging from a few months to six to maybe eight years of age. Perhaps the Mom was at work or maybe taking a break at home. In any event this family headed right for the water splashing happily, riding the boogie board, playing and having fun. Again you could feel joy and the love.
Final image is of a young mother with a new-born making her way to the water’s edge with another young woman perhaps her sister or friend. They spoke in a foreign tongue and made sure that the infant enjoyed the beauty of the seashore.
As the sun gets lower in the sky earlier and earlier I am reminded that these wonderful beach days will soon give way to the Fall and early darkness. I plan to enjoy as many of them as the summer has left with this day being a definite highlight. I’m thankful for the beauty of these seaside images as they will surely remain with me as will the sun glistening on the water, the warm ocean breezes, the refreshing swim in the ocean and the graceful sailboats gliding through the water. All this along with a compelling book to read will be much missed as the days get shorter, the weather cooler and summer comes to an end.
