Satiating My Inner Mermaid

            Today we begin fresh. This blog is going to be a mish mash of things going on in my life. If there is anything important you, the readers, think I should talk about by all means let me know. I will fill you all in on my summer adventures, my hunt for employment, the status of my writing, and so on. Today I am going to tell you about this week’s adventure. On Monday, I went to the beach. Nothing crazy or even innately adventurous, I know. But you see, I grew up within driving distance of the ocean, and even had access to a swimming pool every summer. Then, I moved to the ocean state. If you can’t tell, I love the water. Even living in New York I feel a sense of peace at times because I am near the water. I don’t really live close to water that is swim-able, but it is better than no water at all most of the time. Monday, however, I not only got to feel the peace of seeing the ocean, but I got to swim in it. I believe that in a past life I was a mermaid; I am part fish who loves to swim. So going to the beach with my friends was enjoyable for more than one reason. I got to enjoy the company of my friends, but I also got to be in the water. Let me paint you a picture: The day was a hot one. The temperature on Monday reached almost 95 degrees and I never checked, but I’m sure the humidity was off the charts. We were sweating while sitting still. Once we got to the beach that changed. The sun was warm but the breeze was glorious. We spent a good amount of time just basking in the sun and enjoying each other’s company. I got absolutely fried and in fact am still in pain, but it was totally worth it. There was some good, old-fashioned, girl talk happening on that beach and a great deal of mere contentment. We people watched and snacked and just relaxed. For me though, a beach trip isn’t complete unless I am in the water for a good portion of the day. My friends weren’t as excited about swimming as I. It is still early in the summer and the Atlantic takes a while to warm up. Needless to say, the water was a little chilly. That would never stop me though. I remember as a kid needing to be the first person in the pool every year. It didn’t matter the temperature, or even the color, of the water. I dove in and swam to the other end. One year it was brown, and quite gross but I did it anyway. Usually the water was around 35 degrees and I almost always got a brain freeze. But it was how I kicked off my summers. I suppose you could say it was my own personal tradition; a way to commune with water. It might be helpful to know that as an adult, things have changed a bit. I haven’t been to a beach in many years and a pool even longer. I honestly can’t remember the last time I went swimming. I think it was about 2 years ago, but it could have been more. There are times where missing the water is a pain I feel acutely in my heart. In my day-to-day existence I don’t often realize it, but every so often it sneaks up on me. So to say Monday was a big deal is an under statement. Merely putting my feet into that cool salt water felt amazing. As my friends watched, I just waded in slowly. They followed for a little bit, but the coldness stopped them around the knees and they couldn’t go any further. As for myself, I just kept walking. Then a wave approached and I knew it was time. I dove head first into the oncoming wave and was immediately in heaven. The water sluicing down my body felt incredible. I came up for air and just tread water so I could be submerged more completely. They laughed at me while I swam up and down the beach but I didn’t care. It was pure bliss. The salt made my skin sticky that day, but the water felt like an overdue hug. I don’t think I will be able to go another 2 years or so without swimming again. Thankfully I won’t have to. One of my friends is from California and was also having beach withdrawals. Thus, we have made a plan to go to the beach multiple times a month this summer. It is going to be the best summer I have had in years and I could not be happier. All it took was a swim. My inner mermaid is at peace and I can promise she won’t be denied any more.

photo credit: Mystic Mermaid Facebook Page