The Sand and the Sea

 

I used to have a love affair with the sea, with its beautiful, relaxing waves rolling in and out over the sand but we had to break up. My love affair with the sea went downhill when I became more mature and realized what I would have to endure to continue seeing the sea. Not only that, the beach came between us.

Picture this…my friends and I are driving in bumper to bumper traffic to get to the beach. Then we start looking for a parking space as we get closer to the beach, knowing we will need St. Anthony to help us with this one, since he’s the finder of lost things. After parking, we start unloading the things we’ll need for the beach, such as a chair, umbrella, towel, suntan lotion, lunch bags and a hat. Did I mention I haven’t even had a glance of the sea yet?

Now it’s time to take the walk on the sand to get to see my love, the sea.  When my feet touch the sand, they turn into melting candles on a birthday cake. I look down and count my toes to make sure they’re still all there.

When my friends and I finally sit down in our chairs, we can see how magnificent the sea is and I say to myself, “Now I know why I love the sea!”  I sit down in my beach chair, close my eyes, and try to catch a little relaxation time. But my mind starts thinking about all it took to get to the sea today. It’s not worth it. I think about the sand, that sand that finds every nook and cranny of your body, the sand that gets all over everything, even  the  sandwich you just started eating.  The sand will even be found a year later when I’m vacuuming the car.

I thought to myself, I do love the sea, but I’m sorry you beautiful sea, going to the beach came between us. The drive, the parking, the hot sand and so on and so on is just too much. Maybe we can see each other again if it’s on a ferry or a fishing boat, or at a restaurant with you as the view, but as far as a relationship including the beach, that is absolutely out of the question!

Ellen