By Lee Scott
Last week I went for a walk on the beach with some girlfriends. There were five of us and we had decided to wear our bathing suits under our shorts and t-shirts just in case we wanted to go in for a swim. As we neared the end of our walk, three of the women stripped down to their bathing suits and started to run just like little kids into the pounding waves. At first I was not sure if I was going to swim. I did not bring a towel or a hair brush for afterwards. But as I was watched the women run into the waves, I decided to go for it. Who really cared about how we looked. We were just having fun. I ran into the ocean and joined my friends. As the waves came crashing into us we were howling and laughing like teenagers.
I had forgotten how much fun it was to be playing in the ocean. As I have grown older, I have spent more time looking at the ocean than playing in it. With the current shark attacks along the east coast, everyone is being much more cautious about the beach. It makes you more vigilant. But there still seems to be a draw for people to return to the ocean each year. Maybe there is something in our DNA that makes us want to walk a sandy beach and play in the salty water.
While we played in the waves that morning, I watched as people started to fill the beach. Couples were walking their young children and picking up shells and dog owners were walking their dogs. One black Lab looked overjoyed. He would chase the waves back and forth and then go after his ball in the sandy water. I stood watching him once and got knocked down by a huge wave crashing over me.
As we grabbed our shirts and t-shirts and headed back to the car, I realized that living within ten miles from the ocean means I can do this all the time. The salt water dried on our bodies and our hair was stiff by the time we got back to our neighborhood. But as I said goodbye to each of the women, I felt a reconnection to my youth. Amazing what a swim in the ocean can do for you. Just be careful!
Lee Scott, a writer and recent retiree, shares her everyday observations about life after career. A former commercial banker responsible for helping her clients to reach their business objectives, Lee now translates those analytical skills to her writings. She recently moved to St. Helena Island with her husband and two cocker spaniels. She enjoys boating, traveling and reading.
