Water is so healing, isn't it?! When I lived in Los Angeles, it was the Pacific Ocean that called to me. In Connecticut, I sat on an outcropping of rocks looking across Long Island Sound. And here in NYC, I have the magnificent Hudson River. Each experience, so different in the the vastness of the body of water, offered the same breath of healing energy washing over me. I can feel it as I write this. Thank you for prompting this memory in your beautiful post. And BTW, that is an incredible mermaid! 💕
It truly is! And it carries so many memories on it’s waves, from West Coast to East Coast in your case. I’m so grateful for that kind of knowing. And yes, the mermaid 🧜♀️ tail was epic this year! 🤣
Oh my! And like the ocean, there is so much depth here. The years, time, the phases of living. Absolutely beautiful! "The me’s have changed, but the ocean hasn’t. Steady and steadfast." 💜
Thank you, Rhaine. The ocean opens up something in me. Perhaps its because of that belonging, that knowing. I'm not sure, but I'm grateful you can feel that through the writing.
Lovely, Jess. The beach has special messages and holds so many memories for me. I loved many parts of it when I was a kid, though I was mindfully aware of the waves, the undertow. I think I took some of that fear with me through my life, but still many lovely memories of time with family, especially in childhood. I love to look at the ocean, I love to listen to the waves, especially at night from bed, but I don't like the sand or the heat or the sunburns now, and I feel self-conscious and unsure of myself because of the changes to my body since youth. I love the mermaid tail! Stellar. xo
I think the ocean carries all of our memories, the fearful and insecure ones too. The thing I love is that the invitation stays the same over the years. Come…I’ll be here to meet you. I’m glad the sound and the sight still hold something for you even if the full experience may be harder to access.
Yes, I think you're right. It's always there and it definitely has its own voice. It's beautiful and dangerous and loving and beckoning. After reading you essay last night, I had old memories that surfaced, old dreams. Thank you for that. xo
Actually, nope. Childhood nightmare involving a Godzilla like creature coming out of the water, wading to shore, picking up my favorite grandmother and taking her back to sea with him, and I was helpless to save her. Thanks for asking! (I'm giggling, here)
I can literally smell and hear and feel the beach and ocean in this story. It is one place that consistently brings me Joy. Thanks for sharing your memories and for reawakening mine!
What a beautiful piece, Jess. Lyrical but grounded. I have never been much of a beach person, mostly visiting in the off season to walk the shore all bundled up, or to take advantage of as n unseasonably warm fall day.
I have always felt that the sea is full of potential magic just waiting to be discovered. I always look for secret messages and treasures. Now, I’m wondering if the magic I feel is the weight of other people’s stories woven into the ceaseless waves. I love that. Thank you.
Oh! I made an audible sound when I read that "I'm wondering if the magic I feel is the weight of other people's stories woven into the ceaseless waves." Just OH! Wouldn't that truly be magical? I hope that is so and thank you for planting even the idea of that in my brain.
Water is so healing, isn't it?! When I lived in Los Angeles, it was the Pacific Ocean that called to me. In Connecticut, I sat on an outcropping of rocks looking across Long Island Sound. And here in NYC, I have the magnificent Hudson River. Each experience, so different in the the vastness of the body of water, offered the same breath of healing energy washing over me. I can feel it as I write this. Thank you for prompting this memory in your beautiful post. And BTW, that is an incredible mermaid! 💕
It truly is! And it carries so many memories on it’s waves, from West Coast to East Coast in your case. I’m so grateful for that kind of knowing. And yes, the mermaid 🧜♀️ tail was epic this year! 🤣
Oh my! And like the ocean, there is so much depth here. The years, time, the phases of living. Absolutely beautiful! "The me’s have changed, but the ocean hasn’t. Steady and steadfast." 💜
Thank you, Rhaine. The ocean opens up something in me. Perhaps its because of that belonging, that knowing. I'm not sure, but I'm grateful you can feel that through the writing.
Lovely, Jess. The beach has special messages and holds so many memories for me. I loved many parts of it when I was a kid, though I was mindfully aware of the waves, the undertow. I think I took some of that fear with me through my life, but still many lovely memories of time with family, especially in childhood. I love to look at the ocean, I love to listen to the waves, especially at night from bed, but I don't like the sand or the heat or the sunburns now, and I feel self-conscious and unsure of myself because of the changes to my body since youth. I love the mermaid tail! Stellar. xo
I think the ocean carries all of our memories, the fearful and insecure ones too. The thing I love is that the invitation stays the same over the years. Come…I’ll be here to meet you. I’m glad the sound and the sight still hold something for you even if the full experience may be harder to access.
Yes, I think you're right. It's always there and it definitely has its own voice. It's beautiful and dangerous and loving and beckoning. After reading you essay last night, I had old memories that surfaced, old dreams. Thank you for that. xo
I hope they were sweet dreams. 💖💫
Actually, nope. Childhood nightmare involving a Godzilla like creature coming out of the water, wading to shore, picking up my favorite grandmother and taking her back to sea with him, and I was helpless to save her. Thanks for asking! (I'm giggling, here)
I can literally smell and hear and feel the beach and ocean in this story. It is one place that consistently brings me Joy. Thanks for sharing your memories and for reawakening mine!
It’s crazy how one place can contain so much of ourselves, isn’t it? As always, thank you for reading!
What a beautiful piece, Jess. Lyrical but grounded. I have never been much of a beach person, mostly visiting in the off season to walk the shore all bundled up, or to take advantage of as n unseasonably warm fall day.
I have always felt that the sea is full of potential magic just waiting to be discovered. I always look for secret messages and treasures. Now, I’m wondering if the magic I feel is the weight of other people’s stories woven into the ceaseless waves. I love that. Thank you.
Oh! I made an audible sound when I read that "I'm wondering if the magic I feel is the weight of other people's stories woven into the ceaseless waves." Just OH! Wouldn't that truly be magical? I hope that is so and thank you for planting even the idea of that in my brain.