I Took the Kids to the Beach Today

We went to the beach today.

The kids were mad because it was a full hour between when they were told to don the beach-appropriate attire & when we actually pulled into the beach down the street.

Beach attire for the 6yo consisted of wearing his ninja costume, by the way. Because, hey. He’s 6 and it has no pockets or layered fabrics — it totally meets the qualifications. Live here long enough and you start wondering why you even have swimsuits at all. Just hop in with what you’re wearing, man. It’ll work out.

Anyway. We went to the beach.

But before that, I made them wait while I quickly scanned the computer for a couple pictures and printed them off.

And then they had to wait again while I quickly finished the card I’d started writing my 93 year old grandma 2 weeks ago.

And then they had to wait while I mailed it at a post office. That part took a while because I paid the $0.56 cents postage and then realized that $0.56 cents meant slow boat.

“Oh, hang on. About how long will it take to get there?”

“7 to 10 business days.”

Whoops.
Not fast enough. Not anywhere close to fast enough.

“How much is the option that can time travel me back a few days and get this sent last week?”

They didn’t have that service available at this post office.
Bummer.

(In the spirit of full disclosure, that little blip there was artistic license. I didn’t have the wherewithal to be that witty. I was still in the daze of processing that 7 to 10 business days, she would definitely not be checking her mail.)

One $0.56 refund and $20 later, it’ll get there Saturday.

I made my kids wait an hour to get to the beach today,

and it ended up being just right because before we got to the beach, as we were reloading into the minivan after mailing that letter, one of my favorite Laie folks came walking by on her way to somewhere else. I hardly ever bump into her — probably because my idea of getting out is walking to the park behind our house.

So anyway. Great timing for a sincere hug from an empathetic friend who doesn’t mind hearing how you’re really doing when your grandma is dying. Yo, tender mercy!

I took the kids to the beach today. This beach:

They had a blast and I loved every minute. There’s something powerful about the sand, the sun, the sky, the gigantic-ness of the ocean with the minuteness of the sand, and the waves endlessly advancing and retreating.

There’s something beautiful about the balance of nature. Everything fits together in a dance that every day brings us closer to God, whether we recognize it or not. Everything testifies of the Creator and how precious are his creations.

I took the kids to the beach today….

because the beach needed to take me.