In case you missed it, we have had a couple of things going on in Texas over the past few weeks. Consequently, we are starting school a bit later than originally scheduled.
In a strange yet wonderful miracle of the universe, my husband suggested that we go to the beach for the day. He’s an amazing dad without question and will gladly take us wherever we want to go (and if not gladly, we never hesitate to combine our mom and kid superpowers of dramatic pouting and loud endless begging until we irritate him into caving to our whims). He just doesn’t tend to suggest taking day trips. Ever. Even the kids didn’t believe me when I said that it was his idea, but of course, we were all game for the plan. We just wanted a “normal” day.
Driving down to the coast led us to newly familiar unfamiliar sights. We saw caravans of military trucks. There were mountains of demolition and refuse piles flanking the storefronts. Signs flashed messages of gratitude for volunteers and told us that we were Texas Strong. We didn’t need the reminders, but I appreciated the sentiment. We became a unified front committed to helping each other over the past few weeks, and we will continue to stand together once the evidence of the storm has long faded from view.
When we arrived at the beach, the kids jumped out of the car and dashed for the waves. I’m panicky on a good day and perpetually hear John Williams conducting the theme to “Jaws” in my head whenever my children put a single toe in the water. As a bonus, our beaches are blessed with alligators and rattlesnakes, too. (Given that our backyards already have those, we don’t sweat them too much.) But I wasn’t worried about the sharks (as much) this time around. I was hyper focused on Hurricane Irma’s gift from afar to our local beaches. Rip tides – the treacherous invisible currents that knock you off your feet and carry you helplessly to the ocean away from your mama. Kinda like “Moana” but minus The Rock, the singing, or the happy smiley conclusion.
Anytime the kids would step into water that went above their knees, I would start barking like a madwoman for them to come closer to the shore. My husband thought that I was absolutely bananas (nothing new there). This struck me as bitterly ironic given that he doesn’t like for our daughters to sleep in shirts that have sequins because he feels like they may be choking hazards. Yes. Sequins. He sees them as fashion’s hat tip to danger. But rip tides? Ah that’s silly child’s play.
I did not like that.
Thankfully, I was not to remain incessantly worried for long. Ok that’s not true. Not in the slightest actually. I worried incessantly, so the crazy woman screaming for them to get back closer to shore never stopped. But I did get moderately distracted.
A nice SUV with out of state plates parked on the sand next to us. I won’t name the state, but I will tell you that it rhymes with Markansaw. A family of forty-five people poured out of the car and ran happily to the water. They loved it! I believe that it was their first time to any beach ever. You could tell by the way they all jumped in the waves with sheer joy and giggled with delight like small children as the spray coated their faces. You could also tell because they went in fully clothed. I’m not talking t-shirts and shorts (although that ensemble was represented). I mean long pants, long skirts, socks, and shoes. Maybe you don’t have a bathing suit with you, or maybe you don’t have one at all. No judgement. I just thought that maybe you might wanna roll some of that up or possibly remove your socks and shoes before entering the water.
I couldn’t help but watch the show and had to work very hard to suppress my own laughter when they carried their drippy socks and shoes back to the car before heading once more to the waves. As funny as it was to see, it was also wonderful watching them enjoy life fully in their own wacky style. Some people mystify me, but I can’t help but love them anyway – especially when they just own their oddity completely and totally.
And that brings me to my son. As we were preparing to leave hours later, my husband nudged me in the arm and said, “You wanna talk about that?” while pointing in the direction of our boy. I glanced his way and immediately noticed his backside staring back at us through the massive ripped hiney of his suit. It was like a hospital gown for the beach. I don’t know how long the moon had been out, but there it was shinin’ away. We wrapped him in a towel and pointed out the end of summer blowout he was sporting. He was about as worried as a pet rock. Boys – argh!!! So we loaded Senor Godiva and his siblings into the truck and headed home.
It wasn’t a fancy day. Nothing earth shattering happened. No one was gobbled up by sharks or sucked under by rip tides nor were we assaulted by dangerous sequins lurking in the every closet belonging to a female in our home (yet…). I couldn’t help but glance at the weather radar for the hurricanes on the move, and I still worried about those in their paths. But it sure was nice to feel like life was moving along and that we could end the summer with a smile or two.
I hope that everyone experiences these little moments of magic with those whom they care about. I also hope that all of you come to the beach fully clothed and jump in the water next to our crew. That s@#& was plain funny.
Best wishes for a beautiful week for all of you.
Joanna
Momentum of Joy 
Sep 10, 2017 @ 23:13:53
Sounds like the perfect day! I do hope your wore your new leopard shoes 👠 😂🤣
Sep 10, 2017 @ 23:18:29
It wasn’t high tide, so I was worried that the fahsion police would not approve! Lol! 😂
Sep 10, 2017 @ 23:20:21
Good answer! 👠👠
Sep 10, 2017 @ 23:19:06
Joanna, I can see that anything you write about is going to be enjoyable to read. What a fun sharing of your family’s day. You add your own unique and original point of view to the story. Much enjoyed.
Sep 10, 2017 @ 23:21:16
That is such a lovely compliment. I truly appreciate your sweet words. I also apologize if I ever write any snoozers, but alas we all have off days. I hope that you have a beautiful week honey. ❤️
Sep 10, 2017 @ 23:20:12
Loved the pelican? gull? tracks in the sand.
Sep 10, 2017 @ 23:25:50
They were fairly small, so I believe that it was a gull. There were sandpiper tracks all over. I loved them, but it appeared that my camera on my phone was less interested. 😉
Sep 10, 2017 @ 23:37:34
I think you got a great shot..I have a photo that I published a week or so ago.. maybe more… of a gull standing on top of a mesh canopy. I stood under it and got a photo of the shadow of the feet. I loved it..
Sep 11, 2017 @ 05:15:01
That’s putting yourself in the danger zone for a good shot! Lol! I love that you did it. I’ll definitely go back through your posts to find that.
Sep 10, 2017 @ 23:48:15
Nice post and lovely pictures.
Sep 11, 2017 @ 02:07:08
I had to laugh at your out-of-state family’s antics. Socks and shoes! And your son’s dramatic derriere display. It’s not often that someone rips themselves a new one! I’m so happy you had a nice beach day. You surely deserve a little fun in the midst of all of the chaos. ❤️
Sep 11, 2017 @ 05:30:30
I already have a serious excess of immaturity. Their wackiness was almost impossible not to laugh at right in their faces. Not in a mean way. It was just funny to watch. It was akin to watching a school of fish swim by wearing top hats. So unexpected and so funny.
Sep 11, 2017 @ 06:57:54
I’m glad you had a good family day. Those are special!
Sep 11, 2017 @ 07:53:56
Me, too! 😊
Sep 11, 2017 @ 07:13:56
PMSL! Literally! You are NO GOOD for my malfunctioning pelvic floor! 😉 X
Sep 11, 2017 @ 07:55:41
Hahaha! Love it girl!
Sep 11, 2017 @ 08:01:29
A fascinating day….I myself would be reluctant to venture into the water after a hurricane, not knowing what the storm stirred up. Cheers.
Sep 11, 2017 @ 08:03:41
That was my thinking as well, but apparently I was solo in that department at that beach. 😉
Sep 11, 2017 @ 08:35:14
Love this post! So much I can say! But really….choking on sequins? There are just soooo many things I could say about that alone- but I guess bathing attire is different in Texas……😉
Sep 11, 2017 @ 09:11:51
Not on the bathing suits. Just sequins in general. I have made fun of him for this for years. It’s such a weird worry, but it makes me giggle.
Sep 11, 2017 @ 09:12:36
It made my morning!!!
Sep 11, 2017 @ 10:32:11
Beautiful post! Sounds like an amazing day 🙂 And you have every reason to worry about rip tides. I used to be like your husband and not worry about them too much. In fact, I’d roll my eyes at my own husband who would be having heart failure on the shore! That being said, we’ve had a couple of tragedies in our local area and I have become far more respectful of mother nature.
Jo-Ann
Sep 11, 2017 @ 10:49:06
I fear them because I almost drowned when I was child while trying to get back to the beach when a current kept pulling me out. I was a strong swimmer, so I don’t think that my parents realized the severity of the problem when I eventually made it back to shore. They just thought that I was tired, but in reality I barely made it. I saw a couple of adults closer to shore who had helped by giving me a boost forward, but again, I just don’t think that they understood that I was about to go under. It’s one of those moments that sticks with you, especially now as a parent.
Sep 11, 2017 @ 11:20:33
Wow…that is such a scary experience! You made it and now you are wiser for it with your own kids!
Sep 11, 2017 @ 12:16:36
But we must still beware of sequins… lol
Sep 11, 2017 @ 11:04:32
I nearly drowned once…got pulled down by a current when my kayak capsized in rapids and got pinned under the limbs of a downed tree that had fallen into the water. My clothes got caught on the branches and it took me some time to realize that I had to swim down to get free of the branches rather than swimming up to the surface immediately. It was horrible and I still have a fear I won’t be able to breathe and have recently developed asthma.. I’m sure all stemming back to that trauma. So I understand your qualms, MoJo. Thanks for reading my pieces and commenting!!
Sep 11, 2017 @ 12:15:57
It’s terrifying stuff. I completely understand.
Sep 12, 2017 @ 11:07:58
What a wonderful family memory this day was! Mermaid-approved for the family who jumped into the ocean clothes and all! 😀
Sep 12, 2017 @ 18:17:30
Lol! Yes you would have loved them, too.