A Walk On The Beach

It has been awhile since I took a nice long walk on the beach. I always love the beach at this time of the year. The weather is beautiful on a sunny day with bright blue skies and a snap of crispness in the air. The crowds from the summer are gone and now the beach is dotted with lone fishermen and pet owners walking their pups. It is a great time to be one with nature. I think I appreciate it even more since the hurricane, I know I certainly see it differently.

On the way to the beach, we drive past the piles of debris still lining both sides of the road. Along with the tree parts, roof shingles and broken windows, there are lots of mattresses and sofas. When you see such personal items, it feels intrusive to even look. I am glad when we finally get to the beach. There are only two other cars in the parking lot and we basically have the beach to ourselves. So peaceful.

I leave my sandals at the entrance to the beach and feel the sand between my toes. It is warm and so welcoming. The tide is high so the water’s edge is close to the path on the sand. I cannot resist, I walk along the beach zig zagging in and out of the water splashing in it like a kid. The water is so warm it is hard to believe it is autumn. I am loving the moment.

As I continue to walk, I see several remnants of stairs and other pieces of wood floating in the water and washed up on the beach. It is interesting to imagine how far they have traveled. I wonder what family was effected by the loss of these items and hope no one was injured, just the lost of stuff. I keep walking and then take a pause for a deep breath of fresh air. And then another. It feels so good to stop for a moment to just breathe, not sigh as I have been doing for the past three weeks. I realize that most of us have been holding our breath as we get through the post hurricane phase. Perhaps as a community, we all need to breathe and take a long walk on the beach. It would help us to gain perspective on what we have been through, and focus on where we still need to go. Ahhhh.

BTW, on the journey back home, I notice a number of trucks picking up the debris and wiping away much of the evidence that Florence was ever here. Life moves on……