The Beach

I love the beach.

I love how the sand gives way to my eager steps towards the water. I love how the hot sand makes the cool water that much more rewarding. I love how the sun hits the waves and reflects off the surface as if the clear water hid crystals just waiting to be found.

I used to believe that I was destined to be a mermaid because I love the beach, and water, and swimming so much. I would have to be dragged out of the surf by my parents as the sun set and my lips turned blue with chill, but I still never wanted to leave.

Water is calm. Water is fresh. Water is relaxing and energizing, loving and teasing.

I love how after a swim the salt sticks to my skin and crystallizes on the light hairs on my arm. I love how if I lick my lips I can taste the sea and all the things I love about it. I love how my hair dries after being tousled by the waves and saturated with salt.

Today I sat at the beach and read. I did not pay attention to the conversation of the people next to me. I did not aimlessly watch as the passers by passed by me. I barely even spoke to my mother who was sitting at my side also immersed in a book. I escaped from my world, from my thoughts, from everything on my mind good and bad happy and sad and I read.

Reading is my great escape, my favourite way to ease my mind and forget my troubles, but reading on the beach is unparalleled. The combination of a good novel, a sunny day, the sand and the sea and the way my hair dries after a swim makes life seem serene.

I love the beach.