The Quiet Place

Growing up in a major metropolitan city, I was always immersed in the intense sound from the fast-paced footsteps of people, catching their train or their bus to go to work. There was also the constant drilling noise from construction sites, and the various beeping sound from the pedestrian traffic lights. Even at home, I would hear the cars whisk by, intermittent sound of the plane engine from far to near (then far), the sound of the TV… only to name a few. I longed for a place far from the city, far from all the discordant noises.

Vacation was anytime I could escape the cement forest, the densely populated streets and the cacophony of all the sounds in the city I was too familiar with. My favorite place was the beach, and it still is.

The beach I go to is a long stretch of shoreline facing the Atlantic Ocean. The section that I go to requires a residential permit, so it is usually not crowded. In fact, most times, there are so few people that I think I own the beach.

The sand is fine and soft. The waves are usually not big enough for surfers to show off their skills. The waves create music to my ears. If it is low tide, I get extra bonuses of various shells and pebbles from the sea.

The beach lets me put down the shield of a warrior – a warrior in my job to do well. I get to let go of my worries, sadness and frustration. I enjoy sitting on the sand and staring at the ocean all day. I enjoy finding treasures from the sea, be it beautiful shells, unique pebbles or sometimes even bait fish.

Most of all, my favorite time at the beach is with my family. My husband would cast his fishing line so far that I could barely see where it dropped into the water. My kids would play on the sand, making sand castles or moats. They would also skip pebbles on the water. As for me, I would sit down, look at my family, appreciate what was created in the nature, and be thankful. I am thankful for a sanctuary I can get to. I am thankful for the peace and contentment. I am going to create a life that I get to spend more time with my family, on the beach.