Ahhh, the bliss of going to the beach. No matter what is going on, I can find peace when it is just me, the ocean and a quiet mind.
My morning started like this:
My morning coffee
But I couldn’t stay on the deck all day so I eventually wandered down to the ocean to bury my toes in the sand and enjoy the calm of the waves while the kids played in the waves- laughing and having the time of their lives.
Toes in the sand...
Every night at sunset all 22 of us would gather either on the beach or on the deck to enjoy the beauty of yet another glorious sunset. There is nothing more beautiful than a beach sunset! (Even the night the woo-hoo girls went out to party. Since I know some of you were following the “would she go or wouldn’t she” conversation on Facebook. No, I didn’t go. No, I do not regret it. Peace at the beach was more my desire but I was happy they went and enjoyed themselves. They really deserved their fun night out partying. )
Sunset
And of course, there had to be a night peace time. Oh, the middle of the night when everyone was asleep and the beach was quiet and dark was my favorite time. Just me. No stress. Nothing pulling at me but the waves as they crashed ashore. And each night I would sit in silence or tears on that upper deck alone and let the pain I was carrying crash through me like the waves hitting the shore until I found the peace I needed to crawl into bed to sleep.
My peaceful moonlit nights
The time seemed too short to be able to have the conversations I wish I could have had with my family. There were things I wish I had done but nothing I regret. I do know the kids loved spending time with their papa, cousins, aunts, uncles etc. It was a great time at the beach for everyone. (There is so much more to say about the good times we all had, but that is for another post. If I get around to it.) I will always cherish my time spent at this beach house over the years as we wind down this family tradition. It was bittersweet. The not knowing when I will see my family again is hard. Of course we have plans. We make them every year, but I know as well as anyone if not better that nothing is ever a certainty. And that? Breaks my heart. My family has always been my support in my past. And for that I am thankful. Okay, so… enough about the sad.
How do you cheer yourself up when you need a BIG SMILE? Is there a way to be even happier than at the beach? I think there is!
What better way to end a week at the beach than with a trip here:
The Happiest Place on Earth
To be continued…
ME TOO! Vacation, meant to be spent (with FAMILY!)
It seems to me the best, most rewarding times are the ones when we can embrace our emotions…the good, the bad and the ugly. Time at the beach sounds like the perfect opportunity to do just that. I’m just a teensy bit jealous 😉
Sounds like it was a great week with some much needed time with family and with your thoughts. Gorgeous pictures 🙂
My beach time is approaching and I can’t wait. I completely identify with your feelings for the beach and family. Bless you and I hope when things seem crazy you can close your eyes and head back to the beach.