Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Not a day goes by that I don’t take a walk on the beach. The beach is truly home, its broad expanse of sand as welcoming as a mother’s open arms. What’s more, this landscape which extends as far as the eye can see, always reminds me of possibility. It is here I can listen to my inner voice, shed inhibitions, move to the rhythm of the waves, and ask the universe unanswerable questions. That is why when I found myself at a crossroads in my marriage and my life, I ran away to Cape Cod and spent a year by the sea, I was sure this place, so full of my personal history, would offer clarity. … The beach to me is a sacred zone between the earth and the sea, one of those in-between places where transitions can be experienced – where endings can be mourned and beginnings birthed. A walk along the beach offers the gift of the unexpected. Scan the horizon and glimpse the endless possibilities. Stroll head down and encounter one natural treasure after another. Tease the tides and feel a sense of adventure. Dive into the surf and experience the rush of risk.
~ Joan Anderson
(A Walk on the Beach)
A delicious pairing of photography and piece!
Thank you, Laurie!
Oh this is lovely! The beach has always felt like this to me, a sacred zone. I remember seeing the ocean for the first time, and the sense of coming home. It turned my prairie girl’s heart upside down.
Colleen, I’ve never seen a prairie before, except in pictures! On the other hand I cannot remember the first time I saw the sea – surely I must have been a baby – but I never took the sacredness of Mother Ocean for granted. Perhaps some day I will be dazzled by a prairie, too…
I’ve always felt at peace by the ocean. The beach is probably my favorite place to re-energize. I don’t get to one to often, but when I do, I’m home… Thanks for sharing a wonderful post 🙂
You’re welcome, Stephanie. 🙂 There is something so deeply healing about being on the seashore and its nice to know you’ve had the same treasured feeling of being home there.
I agree with Stephanie–the ocean is so peaceful and a wonderful place to renew oneself.
Me, too, Sheryl… Feeling that deep sense of renewal from simply walking along the wrack line…
I love the beach, but we live so far away. I try to get a my beach fix at least once a year.
I cannot imagine living so far inland – I’ve never lived more than an hour away from a beach and am content to be living withing walking distance for the past nineteen years… Welcome to my blog, Jerri!
So well described. Its straight from the heart – of the people by the sea! I love this post. So dreamy, wishful. Thank you so much for sharing this. Made me love the beaches even more. 🙂
Thank you, Sonali, I had a feeling you would love these words from Joan Anderson. Reading her memoirs about the personal growth she experienced living alone for a while on Cape Cod touched me deeply. It’s magic when someone loves a place as much as we do.
My sentiments exactly. And love the photo.
While I live at the ocean I don’t go nearly often enough because it’s about 45 minutes away… I miss it.
You’re kind of lucky, Rosie, you have mountains and the seashore relatively close to you, and still have all the cultural resources that living in a major city offers. I hope someday I get to see your ocean!
Hi,
I too love the beach, I love listening to the sound of the waves, I find it very relaxing at times.
Hi Mags, welcome back! I was sorry to see that your dad had by-pass surgery but glad to know that he is making a good recovery. No doubt that having you to stay with him is a great help. I miss you and am looking forward to reading your blog again when things settle down a bit for you.
Thank You.
I will not be blogging myself till the New Year, but I have a little bit more time at the moment and thought I would catch up, I do miss all my blogging friends.
Sounds like a good way to ease back into the blogosphere. Wishing you and your dad a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy new year!
This is so lovely, Barbara. I’ve always thought of the beach as a sacred zone, too. 🙂
Thank you, Robin… I love and admire this author and have read three of her wonderful memoirs. There is something so sacred by the sea, where land, water and sky meet. 🙂
I walk along a beach far too infrequently, Barbara, but this beautiful post took me there and expressed everything I feel about it.
Sadly, Diane, I don’t get to the beach as often as I used to – there are many family obligations that seem to consume my time, and ironically, blogging cuts into beach time, too. I’m happy to know you have the same feelings about this sacred zone.