The Ocean

July 3, 2026

Wound up at the beach today. A proper San Diego beach. Unlike Carlsbad beaches, San Diego beaches tend to be a bit cropped but they are always livelier. This one was no exception. It was a pleasant, cloudy day, warm but not blazing, my favorite kind of day. The beach was full of families, teeny kids, some old folks, and, of course, the throngs of young women and men, beautiful and silly.

Across the generations, the Ocean treats everyone the same. The steady dance, biting cold, and finally the promise of fun. Despite this, the experiences are very different. We ask of the Ocean different things. We are all bits of the Ocean that have broken away. So, perhaps it makes sense in a way that we treat the Ocean as one would our parents’ home. Demanding that it take the shape of our liquid needs.

Some come to the Ocean for the excitement of flirtation, my son to play with the waves as he does with friends, the old… I’m not yet sure (I hope to learn eventually). Today, I needed a bit of quiet and as it will the Ocean had some. After the wave goes out and before the next comes in the world is held suspended. In anticipation, in preparation, or simply in contemplation.