Dean is not much of a sleeper, so on the first morning of our beach holiday, he was up at sunrise. I decided to leave Feebs curled up in bed and walk down to the sea with the kids.
The air was crisp and salty with the rumbling undulations of the waves. With Dean on my shoulders and holding Bella’s hand, we walked barefoot across the road, through a leafy thicket and onto the sand. The beach was still cold between my toes from the night before, and we squinted into the shimmering light as we walked towards the breakers. I put Dean down and he dashed towards the waves. This was his first time at the sea. Dean ran with the urgent plod of a toddler, his arms swinging around for balance. He reminder me a bit of Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean: half stumbling half running as fast as his little legs could muster. Bella caught up to him, and took his little hand in hers, just as the two of them reached the water. Dean let out a yelp, and then a bubbling giggle. There is something about Dean’s laugh. It seems to burst from his lungs brimming with joy, so much so that he has to fight for breath to try and contain it all. Dean spent the morning with his sister chasing the tide, somehow overcome with happy surprize when the water caught up to his feet. My kids’ laughter mingled with the sound of the waves, their footprints sodden with each new breaker. I watched my children playing like this in the bright Southern Coast morning feeling warm and content. Its these moments that make living worthwhile and they glisten in my memory. I am so lucky.
1 Comment
We had the most wonderful holiday: time spent with family and enjoying experiences with my kids is such an essential part of life. I meant to write something daily, but didn’t get that far, so here are the highlights for me:
Swinging Dean over the waves and watching him giggle as the surf touched his feet; Cycling along the canyon of Oribi Gorge; Sitting on Leopard Rock, enrapt by the valley below; Building sandcastles on Ramsgate Blue Flag Beach; Eating waffles at the Teahouse of the Blue Lagoon; Falling asleep (sometimes, depending on Dean) to the sound of the sea; Finishing the Park Run from St Michaels to Uvongo and back; Exploring rock pools and refreshing Bella’s fish tank each day; Snorkeling in the tropical fish exhibit with Bella at uShaka; Watching the dolphin show; Enjoying a fancy meal in front of an expansive shark tank; Long walks along the beach at the end of the day. Holidays are so special, and sharing them with family make them resonate through memories, like a lighthouse through the fog. I hope to live more of these adventures, and hopefully we could do the next one at Whale Cottage with a few more of us! |
ContentSome thoughts about things, sometimes philosophical, sometimes just musings. The world through my eyes... Archives
March 2023
Categories
All
|