A Trip to the Beach

Last week, we took a very welcomed trip to South Texas to visit family.  This past year, I've tried to focus on good things, on showing my children how to enjoy life even in the midst of change and hurt.  From little spontaneous things, like a treat from the store or a rented new movie, to the bigger planned out things, like camping and road trips, all of them bring enjoyment and rejuvenation to our daily life.  For me, the beach accomplishes that quickly.  It was our first to-do (after we visited family, of course) and we were all so happy to go.

The wind in our faces, the cool water on our skin, tasting the salt in the air, the sand under our toes, the birds' calls echoing in our ears, all at once it was overwhelming and amazingly refreshing.  The girls instantly ran into the water.  It felt wonderful.  Smiles abounded.  Laughter rang.  My heart was so full at their joy.

We made so many discoveries.  We observed crabs and hermit crabs, and watched the sea gulls and pelicans feast on small fish.

We found beauty in broken shells, collecting even the smallest fragment of a color or pattern we liked.

We played in the sand, together.  We joined the girls in being kids:  building castles, burying each other and making mermaid tails, allowing the rough sand to smooth out our nerves, letting the wind carry our worries away.  It was just what all of us needed and was the perfect way to start our mini-vacation.