The dream might be called foolish, specially after Megastorm Sandy wiped out homes, businesses, beach and shoreline communities. Like those among us who have experienced unthinkable tragedies, the ocean and it's feeder rivers have been savagely beaten and horribly battered. Homes have been lost, the beach-front has changed, miles of boardwalk have disappeared into the sea, and lives have been altered by forces of nature.
Yet, the promise of the ocean and its tributaries as sources of peace and renewal has not been shattered by the tidal swells that have swept the shores. I hope and pray that with help (ie.financial, material, Red Cross, Army Corps of Engineer), our shores and the lives of those who seek livelihoods and peace there, will, slowly but strongly, be rebuilt. The ocean is strong and resilient, I believe, like those who have "come back" after life altering events have changed the course of their lives.
8 comments:
The beach is so often sought out for solace and renewal, yet in the wake of such a terrible storm, we can see the true magnitude and frightening force of nature. My students recently wrote about the shells from the beach: see http://reflectionsontheteche.wordpress.com/2012/11/06/mary-oliver-inspires/
They, too, find inspiration on the shores of magnitude. My prayers are with those who are putting the pieces back together.
I too have longed for a place at the beach, but perhaps I just want an unfettered week at the beach and no real estate to worry about. Thanks for sharing the post about using shells with your students. It reminded me of one of my all-time favorite books, Gift from the Sea.
I love the sound of the sea...
but I've never really enjoyed the feeling of sand in my undies...
A wonderful place to visit and find solace and peace, but it can be so fierce and unforgiving and resilient. My prayers go out to all who reside near the oceans and have suffered so greatly, but they too are resilient and will continue to find enjoyment and peace.
Our oceans are both so beautiful and so powerful. I am so sad at the pain and suffering so many people have endured in recent days. Many prayers being said.
For a few years, I had this dream come true... a place at the beach. In the 80's my husband worked at the Multnomah County Public Library in Portland, Oregon. One of the "perks" was the opportunity to use a beach house, Spindrift, near Cannon Beach, Oregon. I love the wildly beautiful Oregon coast- though it's been a long time since I was there, I can still close my eyes and see the foaming waves and the tide pools, smell the salty, tangy air, feel the breeze and remember sitting by the fireplace at night looking out on the wild sea. I know so many feel that love for the Jersey shore and east coast boardwalks and beach houses, too, and I pray they can one day enjoy their beloved beaches again, as their lives are rebuilt in the wake of the storm.
"Hold fast to dreams" - and as we all do, we'll bring back peace and calm to these shattered shorelines.
What a beautiful dream, Anita. I too love the idea of spending months in a beach house, sometimes with guests, sometimes not. My husband & I took our grandson on an ocean trip the summers of 2010 & 1011, to the Oregon coast & to Sanibel Island. There are so many beautiful places. I too hope for those on the eastern shores. I suspect they will rebuild, as New Orleans has. Thanks.
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