My only goal for the week was to make sure that I did swim in the ocean, and I am happy to report that I accomplished that goal as soon as we arrived.
We pulled into the parking lot and quickly unloaded the van. After several brisk trips hauling all of our things up two flights of stairs ( I was wondering during the act how long we were staying as it seemed like we had enough for a month.), the kids and I ran to the beach. The air was a little cold, but we did not care because we were at the beach! Yeah, the beach... we love the beach. Once on the beach, the kids began building a sandcastle while I headed aggressively for the water. A little cold air was not going to deter me from swimming in the ocean. My aggression eased a bit once I entered the water... wow, it was cold. As I stood ankle deep in the water, I thought about my goal for the week. This was suppose to be the warmest day... if I did not get in today then my chances of getting in later in the week were slim to none.
I began to rationalize that my goal was just a goal and nothing more. After all, it was not that important to swim in the ocean, I thought. Then, I thought again, yes, it was important. I am going to swim in this water if it kills me. Of course, I was hoping that it would not kill me. I looked down and realized I was still only ankle deep and that cold numb feeling in my feet... was not going away like it was suppose to when one adjusts to the temperature. I wiggled my toes hoping to increase my circulation and adjust better to the water. They still felt cold and numb. I hugged myself hoping to squeeze a little warmth into my toes. Nothing helped.
I took a few more steps, advancing up to my knees. Now, it was really cold, and to make matters worse, I found myself in the section where the waves were breaking onto the shore. So, not only were my legs numb from the knees down, but I was being splashed by the breaking waves. Each drop of water hit me like a little snowball. My teeth were rattling now. I looked around and realized that there was no one else in the water. What am I doing? Why is this so important to me? Well, because it is the beach; I love the beach I thought as my body shook from the cold air and water.
I was now ten minutes into my ordeal. A swim in the ocean had never ever been an ordeal to me, and yet I had just used that word in my mind to describe this current experience. My legs were still cold and the splashing water felt like little daggers hitting my skin. I took a deep breath and advanced to my waist. I heard a scream and turned to see who was in trouble, and suddenly realized, it was me. That cold numb feeling had advanced to my waist, and it did not feel good at all. My legs no longer worked. I looked into the water to check and see if they were still there. There they were in water... nothing missing.
I looked back at the beach. It looked so warm and comfortable. There was my chair... just waiting to be used, and there was my towel... my warm thick towel. I looked back at the water, and then again at the towel. I told myself that in order to touch that towel I would have to get wet. I stuck both my hands into the water and smiled... no cold numb feeling, but I soon realized that this was due to the fact that they were already wet. At this point, little victories were welcomed, and I used my cold wet hands to wet my chest and shoulders. I immediately regretted leaving my shirt on my chair.
I advanced a little farther into the water and realized it was time to get this over; it was now or never. I took a large breath and dove into the cold surf. I stayed under for a minute so no one could hear my screams. As I came to the surface, I thought to myself, it is not that bad, but no matter how hard I tried I could not convince myself that it was not that bad. It certainly was. I swam around a bit, but could not rid my body of the cold numb feeling. I could not hear myself think due to the noise my teeth were making. Finally, after a full three minutes, I decided enough was enough. I swam to shore and rose to walk to the beach and immediately drop back into the water... the air was colder. Wow! I mustered all my energy and ran full stride to my chair and towel. A towel had never felt so warm and good.
I sat in that chair wrapped in that towel watching my children build the coolest sandcastle, happy that I was at the beach with my family at last. Yes, it was cold! Yes, there were several chances for rain, but none of that mattered. The beach is the beach. As our week draws to an end, I have not yet made it back in the water fully. I am hoping tomorrow will provide me that opportunity.
Here's hoping your vacation time with your family is restful, relaxing and re-charging. Mine certainly has been. Blessings!
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