Since July when we visited our family and friends in Santa Monica, we have gone to Galveston beach every weekend. I believe (yes, I believe) that we are different people because of it.
At the beach we can romp. The open spaces encourage play. We can feel the connection between body and world more deeply.
As the beach has become a ritual, we've developed rituals within the ritual. Carrie always builds sand castles and usually knocks them down. Pearl climbs out to the end of the stone jetty. We collect smooth stones and shells. We always see a lady and her dog Chico. Sunshine is a reminder: G-d exists.
When I'm surrounded by sea and open sky, I realize that the gritty little annoyances of life are just that--gritty, little, and annoying. I remember all that I have. I feel the love.
If having kids had done nothing else for me, it brought me a daily awareness of things I took for granted (and they still do). Very nice, Robin, very nice.
Posted by: Lori | 04 October 2007 at 04:41 PM
Beautiful! How lucky your kids are!
Posted by: AskaLesbian | 04 October 2007 at 04:43 PM
You are absolutely right!
I love the ocean! I mean LOVE LOVE LOVE the ocean and am so excited that my parents have a house now where we can bring Andrew for weekends in the summer.
It's so relaxing, serene, peaceful, open, etc. Everything about the beach is wonderful, the sounds, sights, feelings, smells, sand in your toes.
Great for the children and adults too!
Posted by: holly | 04 October 2007 at 06:55 PM
That sounds like so much fun, and what a great family activity.
Posted by: Jess | 04 October 2007 at 08:08 PM
ditto askalesbian and Lori.
don't the negative ions from the ocean spray play a role in lifting our moods too?
Posted by: cake | 05 October 2007 at 12:39 AM
I love the beach, I try to take the kids there as often as I can. We take a container or plastic bag and collect shells and other interesting stuff, if we are lucky we get starfish. :)
Posted by: Tracey | 05 October 2007 at 02:22 AM
My partner is from Portugal and, every other summer, our family travels there to see her family. We spend almost every day on the beach and we have often talked about the freedom the children have there. I am always amazed at how few disagreements there are when we are all sitting in the sand and playing in the water.
Posted by: Vikki | 05 October 2007 at 08:36 AM
The beach is truly a magical place. It is my most favorite destination when our schedules allow.
You have a lovely family.
Posted by: Victoria | 06 October 2007 at 07:46 PM
This is very sweet.
But more importantly, that is one pasty baby! I hope you slather her up with SPF 500!
Posted by: Shannon | 06 October 2007 at 09:12 PM
You have felt the magic! To me it's the only way to live.
Posted by: Mieke | 07 October 2007 at 10:51 PM
Which beach do you go to? I've been looking for an M-friendly beach down there. Perhaps we'll meet you there some day.
mel
Posted by: mandm | 08 October 2007 at 09:02 AM
This is why I love where we live...we are twenty minutes from the closest beach...I also feel as though the cares of the world just go out with the tide when I am on the beach.
Posted by: Danielle Blogging for Balance | 09 October 2007 at 08:00 AM