But I Smile Anyway…

The Beach

The soft sand, slipping through my toes as I step, gingerly towards the lapping water. The sea, beckoning to me…”Come Ritu…join us…” It called me, and I came, I followed, like the rats following the Pied Piper…

One step at a time, closer and closer until I could feel the water touching my feet.  I looked up and I could see them walking into the sea, deeper and deeper.  Could I do it? Well, I tried. The seabed was uneven under my feet, the seaweed slippery.  I felt all manner of slimy things caressing my dainty feet, and then I saw some little creature, not a fish, but a sea slug… Oh it was disgusting!  Actually, I didn’t see it, I felt it, as I stepped on it! that was it for me, sorry, I am not joining you in your low tide walk as far into the sea as you can manage…

I raced back, and sat on the sand… Safe.

I love the water, and the water loves me too, I’m sure, but I’m happy here than you very much, just watching….

This bit of writing is inspired by a trip to the beach in Mombasa, Kenya.  There the tide would go out so low every evening that my Pops and some other family decided to walk out as far as they could before the water crept back.  I really wanted to do it, I tried, really, I did! But every step I took, where the water was going over my knees made me think I would step into a hole, and that a shark would come out from the sand and bite me! (Yes.. I know, sharks swim, they don’t live in the sand, but try telling that to a frightened 8-9 year old!) I hope you enjoyed it!

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