The Sand Around Me
I take in the salty sea breeze and look up at the few milky, cotton-like clouds through the orange tint of my sunglasses. Here I am, truly content as I tread the shoreline. Sunny, warm weekends draw in a cool, relaxing day at my favorite place with the people I’m close to. I watch the trail of footprints disappear as each aqua wave envelops the sand around me. After each echoing crash, there lies a layer of frothy, white foam on the shore which quietly sizzles and cracks. I hear faint yells coming from behind me and the jumbled sounds of distorted music booming from several speakers all together. I feel the familiar sensation of California beaches. A shiver runs down my back, as chilly water gently brushes towards my toes and slimy, deep green seaweed wraps around my ankles.
I hear my name faintly in the distance, but watching the waves crash has kept me in a summer bliss. I snap out of it as the voices get closer and I feel a hand on my shoulder. I see my friends mid volleyball game, cheering each time the ball is passed in the circle. The thud of the ball onto the sand echoes like the beat of a drum, followed by a kicked up sandstorm trailing behind someone. They run toward the ball with a mix of slight frustration and anticipation for the next round. I jog towards the group and squeeze into the circle. As the dark blue volleyball glides through the sky, it eclipses the sun as a glare sharply radiates from behind it.
Out on the horizon, purple fades into blue, and encompasses the fiery sun as it slowly slips behind the vast water, leaving gold specks as a wake. Everyone pauses to embrace the last few moments of the most beautiful sight. The sky turns into a deep, navy blue, speckled with small, white stars- only visible when we squint. Lights flash enthusiastically in the distance, attracting playful curiosity. The towering ferris wheel watches over the crowded pier, softly cloaking the beach with a sense of joy. A small roller coaster zooms high through the air, a glowing yellow visible from underneath the carts. As our gaze turns to each other, we smile in silent agreement, knowing we all have the same idea.
Wooden steps creak as we walk toward the bustling, vibrantly lit pier. The sound of glasses clinking at the ring toss echoed and wooden hammers hitting the table cut through conversations. Music plays from every corner, from people placing speakers at their booths to groups playing their instruments. We walk over to a soft serve stand for a cool treat, standing by the railing to feel the warm, ocean breeze. The white moon casts a soft reflection over the ocean, glistening and twinkling under the night sky.
When I am at the beach, all of my stresses wash away as each wave crashes and gently pulls back. I learn to be in the moment because my to-do list will never disappear, but spending a couple of authentic hours soaking up the summer sun will always lead to better outcomes. To me, the beach may feel like an escape, a place where I learn to observe and appreciate the smaller moments and people in my life. As the day comes to an end, I distinctly remember the sensation of waves softly brushing against my legs as the sun leaves behind wonderfully bright colors as it sets. As I reflect on how this moment nourishes me, I wonder how such a universal experience of a day at the beach affects people individually?