{my meandering mind....}

Today was undoubtedly the most beautiful day so far this year, excluding, of course any days spent down in the Caribbean or Florida a few weeks ago. =)

When I saw the news that it was  going to be near 80 degrees, I packed my beach bag, chair and my NOOK, and as patiently as possible, waited for it to get warm outside.  The temp was only 55 when I packed my bag, but by the time I made a stop at the library for a book for DNK, then got to Buckroe Beach, it was already a nice and balmy 64 degrees!  It didn't take long for the sun to warm things up, and for the people to start filling out the beach.  There were many college age kids hanging out, tanning, talking and  throwing Frisbees and footballs.  There  was a couple walking the boardwalk strumming guitars and singing.  (Although I couldn't hear what they were singing because I had my iPod on).  Dogs were in abundance too, especially since they are allowed ON the beach until Memorial Day, so I saw lots of very happy dogs, and "their people".  But there were two groups of people on the beach that both really stood out to me today. The first group were the young mothers.  I actually got a little teary eyed while watching all the young mothers playing in the warm sand with their sweet little toddler and preschool kids.  I can't tell you how many times DNK and I went to that same beach when she was tiny.  And here, I sat alone today cause MY baby was at school.  I became a bit melancholy.  For a few minutes I felt sad and terribly alone.  It's amazing how fast children grow up, and those little moments that seem like you'll have forever are so quickly gone.  Don't wish them away....

After I spent some time remembering those sweet spring and summer days with DNK as a preschooler, I noticed another group of ladies sitting down in front of me a bit.  This was the second group.   These ladies were probably in their late 50's, early 60's.  They were in fashionable bathing suits and nice and tanned.  And they seemed to be having the time of their lives.  I watched as they shared lunch, what I imagine to have been a "tasty beverage" and their afternoon together.  Later in the day a fourth person came and joined them.  I suppose it was a spouse. Anyway, I realized that growing older isn't a death sentence.  I imagined that in another 10-15 years, that would be me and MY friends sitting there on the beach, nice and tan and having as good a time as any college kid was having on that beach.  Those ladies didn't seem sad, or lonely or upset that they were "older"  I actually think they were probably the happiest on the beach today, because they had freedoms that the other groups of people on the beach didn't have.   They weren't busy watching children, or  weren't there to impress a boy, only to enjoy life.  At that moment, I kinda thought that of all the different groups of people on the beach,  they were the most carefree and the ones I almost envied.  Don't misunderstand me, I surely don't want to rush A DAY that I have left with DNK being a child, but those ladies made me think that once she IS grown, I can and WILL still have a great life.  It will be different, but it can still be as great as I choose to make it.  And I choose to be one of those tan old ladies sitting on the beach with my friends, drinking a "tasty beverage" in the sun, while laughing my butt off. 

(the pictures were taken with my phone, in the bright sun, so please don't judge my lack of photography ability... lol)