I like the beach, it makes me contemplate life. It seems to cover everything like the sand does. Young people come to enjoy the sand, surf and boardwalk. Old people come to retire, fish and walk the beach. The sands change each day. Some blown by the wind, others shoveled by kids and pails. Some reclaimed by the ocean itself.

The sands are eternal unlike us though. They will always be on the beach. We are only visiting.  We come to dig our toes in and then retreat to our jobs. We come to lay on our blankets, towels or beach chairs and soak up the sun for short periods. Sands get the full days sun from sunrise to sundown, every day, every year.

I wonder if each piece of sand, like snowflakes are unique? It would be fitting if they were. Because like us each one is unique and different.

Sometimes the sand washes over walkways, boardwalk and even roads. Like life covers over us occasionally with troubles or test. But as in life we sweep them off to the place they need to be and keep moving forward.

As I walked to the beach and got in the sand to take some photos. I was reminded when I got home that shoes and socks are not needed. Only bare feet or flip-flops are required. But so is the proper attitude. For if you play in the sand some may get kicked upon you by the children running around on the space next to you, or the old adage of a bully kicking sand on someone might reappear. But it’s how you handle that sand in unwanted places. Remembering its just sand and that it can be brushed off. So as I emptied my socks out from the beach, I smiled and said to myself, next time I’m down here I’m bringing a bucket or two home with me so I can make a box and pour it in it, and then sit that box in front of my favorite chair, take my shoes and socks off and pretend I’m as happy as I am at the beach. But also remember to wipe my feet off before I catch hell for a sandy bed.