I want to take most of these moments (minus stubbing my toes on coral and scurrying away from blue jellyfish), stuff them in a Tusker beer bottle and throw that bottle into the Indian Ocean. Maybe it will make it around the south end of Africa, float on up past Rio de Janeiro, and meet me by the jetty in Bethany Beach, Delaware. My nappy hair, salty burnt skin, and freckly face are testament that I’ve been having the time of my life. Every time I look out at the amazing turquoise water, I marvel at how I could have ever looked away for even a second. And then I question why I am not in it. God definitely loves me through the sea. It gives me stillness and places me in His peace. It is the place that most takes me away from all the discomforts and uncertainties of my present surroundings.
I remember going to the beach with my family when I was a kid. I loved the water and despised the sand. I would hang about in the water the entire time. I liked going out far to where I could no longer stand. I remember loving when waves would take me under. Coming up to the surface after the submersion was glorious. I remember finding it enthralling when the riptide would make me drift away from our spot on the beach. My mom would constantly have to yell for me to swim back.
I remember my breaks during the summertime in Bethany when I was in high school. If it was a weekday and I had a partner in the shop with me, I could grab my DB fries in about four minutes and sit on the boardwalk to gaze into the waves for 20, allowing me enough time to get back to work. I would savor that miniscule time. It was there that I could escape the ritzy, older folks who questioned when the next Lacoste shipment would be in, or what restaurant was best on the strip. I must admit that I did enjoy watching the guy lifeguards switching posts and occasionally jogging up and down the shore. The surfers were another caliber and definitely a bit more attractive, for they weren’t as cocky. Yes.
Basically, I would simply like to thank the Lord for the ocean. I think he thought of me when he created it. Ok, he probably thought of you too… Even more, I thank Him for the opportunity to be able to rejuvenate at the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen. I never thought in a million years that I would be vacationing in Zanzibar. It has only been four days, but they are ones to remember.
Biking around the island, eating king fish and fresh tuna, drinking pina coladas before noon, lying in the sun for hours, beach photo shoots, running with dogs along the shore, snorkeling, having time to read, write, and spend time with the Giver of it all.
Thanks once again to Stephanie May for the photos!
