Rockaway Beach

The super sweet twins invited us to Rockaway Beach in an attempt to escape the heat wave last week. Inspired by the options a car affords, P packed everything but the kitchen sink and away we went.

I wasn't so sure sitting in the sun during a heat wave would be comfortable, but Leslie was right. It was breezy and beautiful at the beach, a balmy 85. It was warm enough to really enjoy the water and cool enough to dig in the sand. The kids were Thrilled.

Two boys, maybe about 5 or 6, played close by in the surf. P watched them jump the waves for a while with that, now familiar, determined look growing in his eyes. And then he let go of my hand, the one he had been holding Very Tightly, and took off in the water. He ran round and round, jumping and smiling. Every once in a while an unusually big wave would sneak up and his look would go from determined to a wee bit frantic :) but there was still a self satisfied smile in there too. It made me realize how easy it is to not know someone. To anyone else he would have looked like some kid just running willy nilly in the waves. But there was so much more going on for him right then. As he ventured further and further down the beach from me, savoring the guts it took to enjoy that independence, the mild danger he felt he was fighting, I could see him growing. And I couldn't help but wonder at everything I'm missing below the surface of each person I pass every day. P eventually felt so fortified by his frolics he wanted to change into his suit with floaties and float in the ocean. A huge wave and a couple of rays brushing past our legs ended that plan rather quickly, but his sense of adventure was left intact for next time...

The day eventually grew a bit steamy and teens flocked to the shore to escape their dull, end of year studies. We gathered up all of the sandy toys and children (minus one digger that P waxes poetic about whenever he is tired) and headed home. As we whizzed through Brooklyn the car's thermometer measured 109 outside. Thank god for friends and the beach :)