I didn’t realize how much of the population lives along the water in this country. Almost 40% from a stat by NOAA from January of this year. I guess a lot of people followed their dreams. I can certainly see the draw. I sat here this morning remembering several times in my life I thought about it.
Like every time I go to the beach. But I always come back to the point where it’s a great place to visit I don’t want to live there. Unless my family and all my friends pick up and go with me, I can’t leave home. And while it’s a hell of a close race some days of the year a vast majority I say no go.
The selfish me. There are few things I like more than having my feet in the sand and listening to the waves hit the shore in between some of my favorite music while soaking up rays of sunshine. Where my formal attire is a pair of swim shorts, a towel, sunglasses, flip flops, and my floppy hat. Where I can cruise with the top down and smell the salt air and my music inspires people to dance at the crosswalks. Where I can eat crabs each day in many different ways and always fresh. The land of ice cream and many other frozen concoctions. Morning doughnuts from the Fractured Prune and watching the sun come up on the Atlantic. Listening to the 1812 Overture from the deck at Fagers Island watching the sunset on the bay. Walking, riding bikes, and photographing in between.
The real me. While those few moments at the beach take away months of stress each day, nothing comes near the time with my children and grandchildren. Those moments of hugs or clasped hands surpass anything. Sometimes just eye contact or a shared laugh. Sometimes a shared tear. It’s not like we are constantly together. We all have our own lives but any opportunity that we can share life, be of help or assistance, facilitate a vacation together, or just grab a meal or activity together or visit at each other’s home is what I live for.
While some friends have moved away or passed my two best friends remain here and that bond is a very strong one. I can’t say nobody will move but it will be a ways away and I don’t think it will happen. I mean we have been together since our early teens, so we will always be together no matter where we are.
So while the waves draw me to the ocean. Just like the surfer they always return us inland.
Lyrics I liked today.
“Wondering aloud, will the years treat us well?” from the song Wondering Aloud by Jethro Tull
“When I’m sad, she comes to me. With a thousand smiles, she gives to me free.” from the song Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix
“And maybe it’s the time of year
Yes, and maybe it’s the time of man
And I don’t know who I am
But life is for learning” from the song Woodstock by CSN.
Random Thoughts of the Young Day
- I hope this is the last of the cold snaps.
- It’s funny that sometimes when I’m alone I’m very happy. And sometimes very sad. But rarely in between
- If you aren’t hit with waves of emotion fairly often you’re not living.
