I take a deep breath and breathe in the smells of the sea.
I close my eyes and listen to the waves crashing.
It’s peaceful. The ocean calms me, centers me. Puts life in perspective.
When I was a teenager, I always wanted to escape to the beach. Not to party or flirt with boys. But to walk along the shore and have the noise from the waves drown out the noise in my head.
Water gives life. It heals. It promises new beginnings.
It was the draw of the sea that caused me to move to this place more than ten years ago. Knowing nothing else about it, but living on an inlet, just a few minutes from the ocean, was a draw for me.
The water has always pulled me, called me.
And led to the life I have now.
When I thought my heart was beyond broken, I came back to the sea to be healed by its waves. Looking out at its vastness and realizing just how small, how much of a speck my problems were.
The waves rolling in gave me a new hope, a reminder that things are constantly changing.
It was beside the ocean that my husband proposed, starting our life together.
So many memories of the water: both happy and sad, beginnings and endings, but all muted by the sound of the waves, softening the emotions and reminding me that new beginnings are always possible.
This post was originally published in March of 2011 but I am reposting to remind myself how much I love the ocean, after a scary incident this weekend when one of my boys suddenly went under the water because of an unexpected dip in the ocean floor as he was coming back into shore. He’s fine, I got to him quickly, but that fear… it doesn’t easily go away.
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I’m glad your son was OK! When we were in OBX last August, my two boys (ages 5 and 7 then) got tossed around quite a bit in the surf. Crazy currents…kept me on edge!
When it’s just me and the ocean, however, it’s a different story. I grew up on the Long Island Sound and I still find the ocean and shoreline to be incredibly therapeutic.
Jen {at} take2mommy recently posted..The summer slide you can’t find on a playground, because it’s not a fun one.
Funny, I was going to post something similar this week. I know exactly how you feel about the ocean. It’s drawn me all my life. Now, my kids are the same, especially my oldest but I get anxious when they are in or near the ocean, knowing the strength of currents and rips and the power of the whitewater. I had a scary incident when I was young which still lingers in the back of my mind and I don’t want my kids to have a similar one. So glad that your son is OK. While the ocean is fun and induces a lot of giggles, it also needs to be respected.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..I want a JCORE Body!
I’m glad your son is okay. But you’re right, that fear doesn’t easily go away. I also love the ocean. The sound of the waves, the breeze, the smell of the salt water…it soothes the turmoil in my heart. Just reading your post makes me wish I was at the beach right now!
Delilah recently posted..So What?
I remember this and love it just as much today! The sea is my happy place too…
Practical Parenting recently posted..Beyond the Pencil Grip: Tips for Kindergarten Prep
Such a beautiful poignant post. Lovely!
I’m so glad that your son is okay. I can only imagine the terror in that moment.
Aramelle {One Wheeler’s World} recently posted..Transition, Interrupted
I have always loved the ocean. Always enjoyed sitting and relaxing and just watching the waves. Glad you were able to remind yourself to stay centered.
Courtney Kirkland recently posted..Things You Don’t Say to a Pregnant Woman
That would be a terribly scary moment for sure! I’m glad that he’s alright though.
I like the water too…. listening to the waves and the sound of the surf… and even the sea gulls. It’s relaxing I think.
Jackie recently posted..When will the violence end?
Glad to hear that your little one is OK, Shell.
I have always loved to hear the crashing of the waves and the roar of the ocean.
It soothes me. It allows me to relax. To unwind.
My ideal place to live is somewhere close to the water. Hopefully, one day that dream will come true.
Stasha recently posted..Somewhere Along the Way Things Changed
Everyone has that place where it just feels right. I like the ocean, but I don’t think mine is there. It’s is too loud for me. I like quiet. Mine is on a back porch with the sun beating down in a small town somewhere.
When we were at the beach earlier in the month we had one day where the water was really rough. I was super vigilant mom. I know I was driving my two oldest crazy (because they have no problem telling me), but I didn’t care. I was actually relieved to leave that day.
I love the ocean but hate the sand. I’m so sorry that you have a memory now that will be on your mind associated with the beach that is not…. **sigh** just right. But I’m glad you found this old post. And I’m glad you shared the scariness – because the support you will get today and tomorrow will help your heart. xo
Kristen recently posted..It’s Not Too Early for a Bucket List
Oh how I can relate! I have often felt the same things about the ocean. So true, something about it does heal the spirit.
colleen recently posted..The Women In The Window
I’m so glad your boy is OK!! Beautiful post – thank you for sharing what’s inside your heart!
Rebecca recently posted..NurturMe Dried Organic Baby Food!!
What a beautiful post! The ocean can be scary but also wonderful, like all good things in life. The important thing is that you got there in time and that fear can be good, it keeps you vigilant. As Christine said, the ocean has to be respected. Hope you’re having fun at the retreat!!
The Bonny Bard recently posted..Of grandfather-y things and such.
I love the ocean too – I wish I lived closer to one,
So glad your boy is okay!
Alison recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: XY
Oh I am so glad your son is ok! I feel the same about the ocean – I’ve always longed to be near it and it’s presence has always calmed me. But at the same time I’ve always feared it as well and I rarely venture in very far. I hope you can all remember why you love the ocean and soon feel comfortable going back.
Tricia recently posted..Hope
There is something so peaceful about the ocean! I am so glad your guy is okay!
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Olympic Values: Week One- Respect
First off, I’m glad your little guy is okay!
I feel the same way about the ocean, although growing up on rivers and lakes, it’s not something I truly discovered until I was an adult. There is no place I’m calmer or happier than at the beach!
Oh my gosh, that is so scary. I’m very nervous about the ocean even though I think it is beautiful.
Leigh Powell Hines @Hinessightblog recently posted..Let’s Eat Some Homemade Ice Cream
I’m so glad he is ok…and this is a beautiful post…I literally could see myself at the beach!
Natalie recently posted..Wordless Wednesday-Water/Olympic Style!
Ahh, we love the ocean as well, dozing off to the whooshing heartbeat of the waves as soft breezes brush the warm sun from our faces. We enjoy just walking as well, holding hands now and again, along the length of our favorite beach, more than a mile each way from jetty to stone jetty, dropping our cares along the way like so many pebbles in the sand.
The joyful and buoyant beauty of the ocean is certainly tempered by its raw and frightening power, however. I am so glad your son is ok.
Kim recently posted..Hearts and homes made new
I love the beach even though we are not close to the beach, we are close to Lake Erie and I just love the calmness and the sound of the waves. one of my favorite places to be.
So glad your son is OK! Drowning is one of my worst fears…
I love the sound of the ocean, too. I’m landlocked in Iowa, but we use a white noise machine in the twins’ room and have it set to “ocean.” I told my hubby it is because the rhythm of the waves would help the babies fall asleep, but in reality it was because I love listening to it over the monitor…
IASoupMama recently posted..BlogHer ’12 and the Blogstars
Beautiful. But oh scary! I’m glad your guy’s ok.
angela recently posted..Forging Family Traditions
So glad he is okay!
I have always loved the ocean. It has always held a special healing power on me. It’s calming, soothing, and relaxing.
Kimberly recently posted..Setting Her Free
How scary! I feel the same way about the ocean. Sometimes we need a reminder that there are bigger things out there besides what clouds our minds.
AnnMarie recently posted..5 Places I Want to Go Back to
So glad he is okay! And yes the ocean is a very powerful place for both good and bad. Beautifully written
Emmy recently posted..Utah Travels: Part II
Phew for your boy being okay–what a scary momma time! And BTW, totally love your ocean pic! You feel about your ocean they way I feel about my mountains and Vedauvoo.
Where is the ME in Mommy? recently posted..What I Think About: What the Aurora Guy Deserves
You said this beautifully.
I’m glad your son is okay. My heart dropped as I read that sentence.
Carolyn recently posted..Chewy Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies
Beautiful post! So glad your son is okay!
Sara recently posted..The Last Few Days.
**The waves rolling in gave me a new hope, a reminder that things are constantly changing**
Beautiful Post. X
I loved this the first time I read it, and I still do.
Natalie recently posted..I Want Wine, Not Whine!
Nothing like having your child disappear right before your eyes! Glad everything is OK!
Mindy @ New Equus – A New Creation recently posted..Nutella and banana crepes.
First, so very glad your son is okay. What a scary incident! Second, isn’t is nice, as a blogger/writer, to find something you’ve already written that you can connect with, remember, and refresh yourself? Have a great week. … and Thank You! for PYHO.
Molly Jo recently posted..What’s the Word? Wednesday [Blog Hop]: July 25, 2012
Beautifully written. Relieved your son is safe. I’m also inexplicably drawn to the ocean. I say inexplicably because once I’m there, I usually feel scared of swimming in it, scared of my kids swimming in it and annoyed with all the sand that gets into everything. Apparently, I’m more of a curmudgeon than I thought!
Mary @ A Teachable Mom recently posted..Tangled Web
I totally understand what you are saying here. I love the beach and the water. I don’t have the ocean near me but the Great Lakes fill my need nicely.
Jen recently posted..The Day the Children Learned a New Word
That’s so scary….the ocean has always scared me, I love it but it scares me to death.
MiMi recently posted..Small, Meed-yum or Large
WOW – just reading about your scary moment has my heart racing. Because I feel the same way about the ocean – it pulls me, it calls to me, when I look out at it I feel something in my soul that I haven’t yet named. But I could sit for hours, literally, and just watch and breathe and be. But that reminder of how quickly things can change…whew. I’m glad everything was okay!
So glad your son is ok!! And the ocean is a healing place for me, too.
jenn @ so this is love recently posted..Ours
Water is beautiful. Amazing. And can be so scary. I’m sorry you had a scare! But I am glad all is OK. These words were beautiful, too.
Andrea recently posted..She broke my shoe.
SO, so scary! But happy to hear he is ok and you got to him so quickly. I love the ocean too, but it’s definitely unpredictable.
Mary recently posted..I’ll Blog When I Damn Well Wanna Blog
So scary about your little guy! Glad he is ok. I feel the same about water; I’ve lived around some form of it for the better portion of my life and it really does speak to my soul. What a lovely post!
Pamela recently posted..Labor Pains and Stretchmarks
Such a beautiful post. I love your thoughts about the waves of the ocean being healing.
I’m so sorry to hear about your son and glad to know that he’s alright. While the ocean is beautiful it does scare me.
Great post. I love your description of how it affects you. I, too, love to just sit on the shore and listen and watch as it goes through its cycles. But I didn’t always feel that way. I grew up loving the mountains. I loved camping and hiking in the woods. It was my husband that introduced me to the ocean. I think the perfect place would be on a mountain by the sea.
Lynda Schrader recently posted..Why?
The water really is peaceful…but it can be equally scary. I’m glad your son is okay!
Teresa (Embracing the Spectrum) recently posted..Making Calls
I so agree… I so miss living near the ocean but don’t know if I can live that far away from my two grandangels… But you are so right. The ocean has real healing and calming powers at times. Thanks for sharing your beautiful sentiments
Ms. Kathleen recently posted..Purity: It’s more than sex – Part 1
That’s so scary! Glad it’s ok! It takes time to get over that kind of scare!
Michelle
Girl, the ocean is a beautiful and serene thing, but at the same time can be very scary…and so deep with the unknown dangers it presents. I am glad your son is safe, but never lose your love of the ocean. I’m an Idaho girl that left at 18 to move to Orange County, CA just because I knew I was a beach girl at heart. I now live in Charleston, SC – I will NEVER leave the beach. xoxo.
Morgan {Style Oyster} recently posted..Turquoise & Tangerine
Shell, this post was beautiful. I always say that the water soothes us because that is what we are mostly made of. It is like going home. I’m happy that you had this post to fall back on when you needed it. xo
Kristen recently posted..Lemon Creme Slurpee
Beautiful post! “Water gives life. It heals. It promises new beginnings.” I couldn’t agree more!
Great way to try and get rid of that fear. Glad he’s ok!
Adrienne recently posted..How to Survive Your First Year of Homeschooling
Oh that’s so scary, girl! I’m so sorry that happened, and so grateful that you got to him quickly and he’s okay!
{On a side note, this post is stunning. It reads like poetry and your love and at peace-ness with the ocean is perfection!}
Galit Breen recently posted..The Habit of Friendship
The ocean is amazing and beautiful and one of my all time favorite places. It’s so calming and humbling. but yes, we cannot forget it’s power. Glad your little guy is okay.
Elaine recently posted..Play time
I am so glad your boy is OK. I had a similar incident with my youngest last summer and it happened in an instant. It’s so scary! But yes, the ocean has a beautiful, powerful effect on me as well.
ilene recently posted..Love Letters Part 2
What a lovely piece. I have always loved the water, too. And what a great way to remind yourself to keep that love, even if it must be balanced with a healthy fear.
Mel recently posted..Say What?
Twice, while at the beach last week, I woke myself up at 4 in the morning, after a night of drinking, because I knew I’d be better off if I could start the day watching the sunrise over the beach.
I’m so very glad I did. There’s just something “right” about being isolated among crashing waves.
John recently posted..Where I hop over to Lisa’s place
I’m so incredibly glad to hear your little one is safe and sound. I can’t imagine how terrifying that must have been for you. XOXO
And this is beautiful, Shell. Like you, I have always been drawn to the sounds of the ocean, too.
Charlotte recently posted..if money were no object
I’m glad he’s okay!!
I love the ocean, nothing ever calms me or makes me feel as at peace as the ocean. I could live away from home forever if I was very close to the ocean!
Hope you are having fun at wanderlust!!
There are times that I just set out to beach to think about the things I’ve done and how I’ve actually lived my life.