Sandals and Flashlights

It was really neat to watch; the middle aged guy in his run-down Teva's, a huge smile on his face, and his kids chasing the running waves after each one lapped in. We were all out there, laughing on the shoreline, being illuminated by the moon and hoping that the grunions would show up to complete the purpose of our gathering. To our dismay, they did not arrive, but fun in the surf did. Yurika, Rachel and Lydia seemed to be having the most fun, all with their own roles in the pursuit of one thing. Yurika handed her sandals to Lydia and Rachel was instructed to hold up a light. Yurika squatted her legs and let her arms hang low with her fingers poised to dig in the sand with the next receeding wave - kinda like my last barber, now he only has to cut half the hair on my head, LOL - the wave rolled in, drowning our ankles and dampening our rolled up pants. Yurika sprang into action, and digging quickly was able to scoop out - not one, but two sand crabs. I asked if I could hold one, they were remarkably soft to the touch. I leaned down and let them roll off my fingers, where they quickly dug their way home. I always wondered what those birds with the long beaks were digging for when I'd walk on the beach, I guess now I have an idea.

I had another wonderful moment with my niece last night, one that left me amused and a little self conscious. I was at one picnic table and she was at the other. I heard the voice across the darkness, "Uncle Will, Uncle Will, come here." I started a light jog in her direction. Seeing me jogging, she said, "Run. Uncle Will, run!" I ran toward her and sat down on the bench in front of her, and said, "How can I help..." she scrunched up her nose and furrowed her brow, she waved her hand in front of her face, giggled as only a child could, jumped up and moved back towards her mom. What could I have done to produce such a response, where did I go wrong? Did I not run fast enough, did I forget to bring soda? No, the answer is much simpler. Upon my sitting down, she said, "Eww Uncle Will, you're stinky!"

"What," I thought, how could soap be stinky. She is so bright, even when it's dark. One last story; last one today, I promise. She ran up to me, tugged on the bottom of my jacket, and said, "Uncle Will, can I have some soda?" I told her we had to ask her Mommy, and with her consent I headed to the table. I picked up Hawaiian Punch, to which she exclaimed, "That's not soda." Excuse me, I thought, here's your Coca-Cola. She took that first sip and looked just like her dad when he's eating say, anything - sheer delight, and euphoria. Foood means a lot to them. Good times, life is full of them. I guess the trick is learning to always appreciate them.