Growing up, I lived smack in the middle of our Great Nation. We were a minimum of 1000 miles from any beach and, therefore, I didn't see the ocean much.
Even with my limited childhood knowledge, I love the ocean. I love the dull roar of the surf and the thought that those waters are teaming with thousands of creatures. Pelicans soar up into the sky only to turn straight down and torpedo into the water. Thousands of fish are pulled out of the ocean each day, crabs scuttle across rocks. And occasionally, we even get to see a shark pulled up onto shore. It is both mesmerizing and intimidating to watch the ocean.
What goes on in the water is awesome, but what happens on the beach itself is sometimes humorous and always heartwarming.
Usually, Nathan and I lug all the stuff necessary for a day at the beach down to our spot and set up while the kids grab the boogie board and sand toys and begin their day. After all the work is done, I sit with a book to occasionally read and watch the beach goings-on. Nathan moves in and out of the surf with nets and fishing poles to try and get something hooked on a line. The children go to respective activities. As the day passes, we become like the ocean itself. My family moves apart and then back together in a smooth undulation. We join each other for walks, kite flying, sand castle building and fishing. But then we separate and move on to do something alone. The days are together, but not on top of each other.
Others, strangers that become friends-for-a-day, move in to check out what we dragged up with the seine net. They talk about ocean animals and comment on castles and sometimes help out with a net or join in on some digging.
This year, a group of older kids taught Aaron how to skim board and another couple kids helped in vain to keep the ocean from overtaking the sand castle my kids tried to make exactly where the tide was coming in. When the ocean won that battle, Aaron looked up at me and said "It was a good fight". He learned that nature is way more powerful than 5 children and a few shovels.
Sarah and Aaron both spent time fishing with Nathan. They would strap on life jackets and move out into the waters with him until all I could see were little kid heads and Nathan's big floppy hat. They stayed out with him like that for a long time, just spending time with their dad. And the look of joy when they snagged something was incredible. My children get very excited about catching a fish!
We go every year now, after I got that real taste for the shore, I just can't help taking them to the ocean. Each year the trip changes just a little, each year we see something new and each year we build memories that are not tied to things but to each other.
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