Posted by
Virginia Daddy on Monday, July 23, 2007 10:43:44 PM
I love the beach. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting on the ocean, listening to the waves rumble in and talking with those you love. There's just something about the scene, the seemingly endless span of water in front of you, the constant ebb and flow of the tide, the kids having fun in the waves, and the couples taking romantic walks makes it perhaps one of the best places to consider life.
First, it is hard to not think about how small we really are in everything. I've said it before, but while each of plays a role in the public discourse, how much would change if we disappeared? Probably not much. I say this not to discount the work we do, because even at a beach, enough sand disappears and you have much trouble. I say this because life will move on. It always has and always will. The grass will never be greener than it is now. Before I sound too much like Robin Williams teaching in Dead Poets Society, let me say that our place in history is great, but that history will move on. Just like the ocean, history is a huge expanse, with millions of players, and will always be there.
The ebb and flow of the tide also invokes a lesson from history-- while it always occurs, there are always ups and downs. For us, as conservatives, we are in flux, but we will come out of this "identity-crisis", stronger that before, and we will push the tide to the dunes. Such is life both politically and personally. The trials we face will fall away, and greater things will come. We saw a boat that got beached due to low tide, but soon enough, that boat was floating again. Life continues despite the trials and the times we are "beached".
Ahh, the kids. This was my son James first real time at the beach. Last year, before he could walk, we put him at te very edge of the water, so this year was the first time he could really do something in it. The first time we took him down, he was terrified, then as he got used to it (sitting in my lap experiencing the waves), he loved it. He absolutely loved it. He sat down in a bit more shallow water, and could have stayed playing with the sand all day. The second time, he ran out to the waves, got knowcked down, and kept trucking until I had to get him before he got too deep. What a lesson about how to face life. When you find what you love, run at it. Who cares how big we are compared to the challenges ahead of us? Who cares how to swim? Go for it. And just as I was there for James, we have a Father waiting to pick us up when we fall. How wonderful!
The romance. Something is just terribly romantic about the beach, and it is always important to remember how special our loved ones are. I don't talk enough about my wife here, but she is truly wonderful. I owe her a great deal, and I love her so much. I don't ever want to forget that or take it for granted. She's too good for that, and if I ever forget or take it for granted, I will be shamed. I think it is important for all of us to remember our spouses (those who have them) in this way. We are to honor them and hold them to higher esteem than we do. For those who don't remember that when you do, and also remember the special people in your life, and keep the same attitude. I've talked about love, and true love is a magical and powerful thing. I love my wife, and I truly hope it is enough.
Anyway, enough rambling on about my thoughts while at the beach right now. It is a powerful place, and even though the salt water tears my skin up, I still love the beach.