Salty Sea Air

It's no secret that I'm in love with salty sea air. So when the opportunity presented itself to goto the beach today, I was so excited to be able to go. I haven't been feeling so great lately. It was just what I needed. 

Being there today gave me a sense of renewal. A last chance to say goodbye to our current life & a chance to say hello to our new life. 

I breathed in the salty sea air and all was right with the world. It didn't matter that Sean had sand in his runny nose or that he fell face first into the sand. It didn't matter that Meredith was covered from head to toe in sand. It didn't matter that I felt like someone rolled over me with a steam roller because no one has slept well in weeks.

We had fun. We enjoyed ourselves with some sun, some surf, a breeze & some shovels. Once again proving that the best things in life are free.

Today was probably the last time we'll be to the beach before we move in March. That statement makes me sad. I'm really going to miss living so close to the beach. In fact, it's probably the one thing I will miss the most.

So I took it all in & made the most of our time on the beach. We saw kites shaped like jellyfish and explored the beach. Meredith learned about muscles & barnacles. She even saw some snails.

I showed my husband that once it's written in sand.... it's forever.

So by the same token......

I am living up to my hopes. I spent today focusing on my family. Making sure they know they're my biggest priority.

Meredith got to act silly & spread her wings making sand angels. Which as anyone who's anyone knows, that's what you do when instead of snow you're without a jacket in January. She got to run around without a care in the world and we got to watch as she spread her little wings & soared.

Sean lived it up in the sand & soaking up as much sun as he could. There's nothing better than watching him figure out how to do things. To watch him play and get excited...... I could do it all day long. 

I got to watch today as Sean showed us that there are things he understands that no one could've guessed. 

"Seany do you see the parachute jump?" "Why yes Mommy. It's right there."

Seriously, he amazes me every single day. 

And to see a genuine curiosity come out at every turn.... it's nothing short of breathtaking. It helps to keep me grounded and remind me that the kids are only little for a short time. 

Salty sea air is just what the doctor ordered. It helped us all to feel better and gave us all exactly what we needed. Even if everyone needed something different. 

So long old friend. We'll meet again soon. 

Sweet Serenity

Every year around the same time I sit on the sand at the beach & just take a deep breath. It doesn't matter what's going on in my life. It doesn't matter how many phone calls I get or how many emails. It doesn't matter what kind of turmoil or excitement I have. I take a deep breath & I am instantly transported to a place where none of it matters. None of it has any bearing on what I am feeling at that exact moment.

Every year I sit in the warm sand, drink in the sun & marvel at my sweet serenity. It's not that I don't go to the beach all year long. As everyone knows, I do. But that first time of the year when the sand is warm between your toes is so delicious. There's a different feel & a different smell. One that lets me know, I am renewed. I no longer have to carry around my burdens. I can leave them at the boardwalk.

It's a love & a passion like no other. I feel somehow connected to the ocean and connected to the sun. I feel at peace there. I feel like it's where I belong.

I used to enjoy it alone. Then with Rob. Now I enjoy it with Meredith & Sean. And they, thank goodness, enjoy it with me. At first I was afraid that Sean wouldn't be much a beach person. I thought he wouldn't do well with the heat & sun. Much to my delight.... he not only does well, but LOVES it. Of course we enjoy it as a family of 4, as well, when Rob is able to join us.

With each passing step in my life, my love & passion for the beach grows. It evolves into something new. Now I get to watch as my kids grow a love & respect for the ocean, sand and sun. I get to watch as they discover what they love about those things.

 
















I get to watch as my kids play in the sand & learn about each other. I get to watch as they figure out how to relate to each other.

Sean even reached a very important milestone today. While sitting, he reached over his leg & crossed midline to get his toy. His physical therapist is going to be so proud tomorrow.  See? There is just something about the beach.

Of course he did a face plant & I was sure my mommy card was going to revoked when I plucked Sean up off the sand & his whole face was covered, but.... he was fine. Apparently it just tasted good.

We got a special treat today at the end of our beach day. There was a man with a parrot & a macaw. Meredith held the parrot like a baby & even held the macaw on her arm. Of course she refused to let him take a pic & then refused to walk away with no pic. She said "no mommy you hold it & take a pic." This is what we got.

What is your sweet serenity? What makes you leaves your cares behind?