The Ocean

I have always loved the ocean ever since I was very little. My family used to go to the beach and stay from early in the morning until the sun went down. My father would rent a rowboat with a motor on it. My father and brothers would load the coolers and fishing gear into the boat. But before they took off, they would take everything we needed to the beach like umbrellas, blankets, food, coolers, and toys we needed to play in the water.

We used to go clamming on the edge of the beach shore. We would take a burlap bag in a straw basket with a shovel, a pitchfork, and a pair of pliers. We had to examine all the clams and throw back the baby clams and bad ones. Then we would eat lunch and go for a walk alongside the beach collecting different seashells and stones.

We went swimming. I used to love swimming out to what seem like the middle of the ocean. We could do this because the tide was out. I also loved the waves coming in and out. I remember if I stood still, my feet would get buried in the sand. The bigger the boat, the bigger the wave.

I used to walk on the boardwalk and would go where no one else was. I would stop and take in a deep breath, look out as far as I could, and see the blue-green water, the deep blue sky, and the sun shinning down on the water. It was like the ocean was hugging me. It always gave me a very warm, loving feeling like I was home and safe. It’s really hard to explain. You really have to experience it for yourself.

Joyce Martin

December 22, 2005