A Day at the Beach

I am the kind of person who likes to go to the beach all of the time and in all kinds of weather.  I enjoy many warm, sunny beautiful days on the sand and in the refreshing water.
I also enjoy the scent of a rainy day at the beach and the sight of the rain joining the lake, as if the water is coming home.  Indeed, the beach has provided many happy memories for me.  It is one of my favorite places on earth to go both with friends and alone.  However, there was one very special day at the beach that tops all of the other times I have spent there.
On this particular night, the evening sun had just begun to set and the heat of the day was wearing off as I drove to the beach.  I was all alone this evening and had just enjoyed a nice light dinner at my favorite outdoor bistro with my cousin, Paulette.  We had lively conversation, as we always do, and I felt invigorated before I even headed off to my retreat at the beach.  All four of my windows were down, so the air passing through the car felt as if I were standing atop a windy cliff.  The breeze felt luxurious on my skin, as if I were slipping into soft silken sheets on a brisk evening.

I had the radio on my favorite station, and the music was as loud as I could stand it, but not loud enough to distract me from using all of my other senses to enjoy my surroundings.  I could still hear the wind rushing through my car and the lap of the lake against the breakers.  I could also hear the softer laps of water as I crossed over bridges and sections of road that bordered the water.
I could see the orange encrusted yellow sun setting over the shimmering water, with its rays stretching seemingly for miles.  I smelled all of the various scents of the lake and I could still taste the salmon salad that I had just enjoyed with cousin.  Life was wonderful. I was in touch with nature.
I pulled into my usual parking spot, a grassy but easily accessible rest spot along the road.  I casually climbed down the rocky wall that led me to my usual spot of respite.
I noticed that tonight, I was alone.  There were no other beings around me and not a car passed for at least forty five minutes.  During this time of solidarity, I enjoyed myself.  I took time to be introspective and to have a conversation with myself.  In a spot where I had come and enjoyed the company of many people in my life, I now spent time getting to know myself.  I felt at peace and whole by the time the first car whizzed past my encampment.
While being alone may not suit everyone, in it I found strength and happiness.  A very typical day and a very common place ended up leading to my most memorable day on the beach.  The stretching miles of sun rays on the water, the cool, crisp, clean air, and the heavenly breeze brought with them a peace I had never experienced before. The atmosphere was perfect, the day was beautiful, and I was enlightened.