Steps on the Sand

Living by the coast has been a lifelong dream of mine. I grew up mostly in the Great Lakes region, Toronto, Chicago, Buffalo… and most recently moved from Michigan. I’ve been fortunate to always have been near a decently large body of water. Beaches were a constant in our hot summers when I was little, and once our family took a trip to California. My brother and I were excited to see what a “real” beach would look like. To our disappointment, the water was frigid, the beaches were scattered with seaweed, the sky was overcast and the air biting with chill.

Upon our arrival home, we went to our favorite beach on Lake Erie in Canada and exclaimed to our parents, “This beach is MUCH better than California!” All that driving, all the time planning the trip, and they could have placated us with a simple drive to Lake Erie.

Now I live in coastal Florida. Watching the waves nestle up to the beach is a luxury I enjoy as often as time allows. The ocean is unique. Every visit reveals a new personality. Sometimes the waters are calm, still and ice-like, while other days the ocean seems frustrated and anxious, throwing curled waves to the shore in a massive tantrum. Part of the thrill for me is approaching the water from over the dunes before I can see anything, listening acutely, imagining what the ocean’s mood is today.