Life's a beach ... stringing wishes

I never would have thought last Monday when we were busy chucking snowballs at each other, that just a few days later we would be choosing to enjoy the wintry sunshine on the beach. Saturday morning, we all felt the urge to be out. Away from home, away from the shops - we needed, in short a change of scene.



Just a short drive along the coast and we found what we needed. A deserted stretch of beach, calm, serene and as a different from a busy Saturday morning in town as you could imagine.



Whenever we go to the beach, we tend to stick together, at least initially. A little group of four huddled round our picnic surveying the scene. This time was different. After just a few minutes I noticed that we were as far apart as possible. The four of us together, but separate by our need for different things.



M had woken up that morning desperate for some air and new vistas. He needed some horizon he said. Well he certainly found it - miles of it, unspoilt, clear, blue, glistening in the chilly sunshine. He walked the beach scanning the horizon, taking his photos, breathing in the sea air and breathing out the worries and stresses of a week without horizon.



Little Sister lay basking on the rocks, face turned up to the sky. She said she needed space. Cuddled up in her coat, plugged in to her Ipod and her mind full of the thoughts and dreams of a 9 year old ...



I knew what Big Sister needed and so did she. She needed the sea. Sitting amongst the rocks on the shoreline with the waves lapping at her feet. she sat and stared. She has always loved the sea and I think that it worked its healing. comforting charm on her again. Even the worries and upsets of a teenager seem to fade slightly if you stare at the sea long enough ....



As for me, I needed to be alone with my thoughts. Not lonely, just alone. I walked across the pebbles. listened to the sea, felt the air on my face and looked over at my family. I always gain persepective when I'm on the beach, it is a place to be optimistic, to indulge in dreams and to find some calm.



I walked over to Big Sister and asked if she minded me joining her. We sat together ( she held on tight to me as I kept sliding down the rocks) and we stared out to sea. Sometimes you don't need to use words do you? We both understood at that moment, what mattered, what was important, what would last and what would pass...



I think we all found what we had gone looking for. Just a couple of hours spent on the beach together, looking for our own kind of treasure.