I stand at the water’s edge, gazing out at the vast ocean. It stretches endlessly before me, a horizon that seems to have no bounds. Here I am, spending a week at the beach, continuing our cherished annual Family Beach Trip tradition.
It feels like only yesterday we were all gathered here, and it strikes me how swiftly time passes. This marks our 7th annual beach trip.
Seven years.
So much life has unfolded within those seven years, a mix of joys and sorrows, but thankfully, predominantly filled with good times. While some of us have navigated challenges, our family has shown resilience, overcoming hardships and moving forward together.
Our family has evolved over these years, each of us growing older, and our family circle expanding with new members – a blessing I deeply appreciate. The days of high chairs and cribs are long gone, replaced by toys, makeup, and the ever-present cell phones.
As my children have grown, my beach time has transformed into moments of greater relaxation. I can now unwind on the sand with a book, while
Creating Lasting Memories on a Family Beach Trip
my kids are content beside me, engrossed in their own books. When we venture into the ocean, we leap over waves as a group, and my solitary walks have become shared strolls with one of my daughters. The cousins’ laughter fills the air, and the adults share stories of past years and growing up. We are all simply enjoying each other’s company.
Embracing the Beauty of This Beach, This Moment
I like to believe that with age has come wisdom. The experiences of these past seven years have undoubtedly shaped me, hopefully for the better.
One beach trip remains vividly etched in my memory – the year I came here without any hair. Chemotherapy had taken its toll, leaving me feeling miserable. Exhaustion and unhappiness were my constant companions, and I leaned heavily on the support of my family. It was a difficult beach trip that year, yet profoundly unforgettable. In its wake, every subsequent trip has become even more precious.
Standing here at the ocean’s edge, contemplating how I will feel 365 days from now, at our next annual beach trip, I pray for a year filled with joy and happiness for us all. I ponder the changes that the coming year will bring, the events that will unfold, and how I will feel when I return to this oceanfront next year.
Grateful for Family, Health, and Togetherness
I am acutely aware of our good fortune to be here, and I cherish every moment.
I won’t deny that thoughts of life’s potential misfortunes sometimes creep in, causing anxiety. But I quickly remind myself that worry is a futile emotion, and I consciously shift my focus to the abundance of wonderful possibilities that the next year holds – the blessings. That is where I choose to dwell.
My hope is that a year from now, as I stand on this beach and look out at the ocean, I will feel the same overwhelming gratitude I feel today: grateful for being here with my family, blessed by our collective happiness and health, and lucky to be part of this extraordinary group of people.
Above all, I wish for you to experience quality time with your family during the upcoming summer months, simply being together, laughing, and creating joyful memories. If you are fortunate enough to do so, count your blessings.
Find meaning each day,
Dara
