Deep footsteps are left in the sand where people have walked, with them are the memories that they have created. I walk near the water’s edge, the ocean’s cool waters clasp me around the ankles trying to pull me in, but I break through its icy grasp. Glancing into the vast blue wonder I am reminded of that summer that you led me for the first time into the ocean. I was afraid of the giant blue walls that threatened to knock me down, though you showed me that these giants couldn’t harm me as long as you were here, and together we conquered them. Pushing past the doubt and through the walls of uncertainty we came on top of those waves as a strong unit, unable to be pushed or swayed away from each other.
It became a competition, between our family and the oceans waves who, you appropriately named Mr. Big Wave. We together as one would run into Mr. Big Wave’s domain armed with nothing but a raft and you laughing, “Let’s go get him bud.”
A sharp pain cuts through my memory as I step on a shell, sighing I sit down on the sandy banks and examine the small cut on my foot and I can’t help but chuckle. My mind wanders into another memory where, a strong comrade of ours, your brother, my uncle joined us in our battle against the evil tyrant of the sea. Together, with my cousins Chelsea and Owen we ran into the ocean, through the firing squad of waves.
Owen met his end; he was smacked square in the chest by one of Mr. Big Wave’s notorious kids, Medium wave, and thrown back face first into the sand.
Chelsea and I easily dodged the watery bullets and plunged farther into the untamed mess of the ocean. You made it too and Uncle Scott wasn’t far behind, but what happened next was the most unexpected attack yet by the devious ocean. A crab had taken hold of him trying to take him prisoner. It was amusing watching as he flailed around trying to dislodge his foe from his big toe. But the damage had already been done and unfortunately he too had to retreat. So it was just me and you left trying to desperately hold on to victory that was quickly slipping from our grasps.
Our battle lasted hours, but we never gave up and our day ended in a draw, but you and I left the battle field proud of our fight and ready for tomorrows never ending battles.
A soft smile comes across my face as the happy memory ends and once again I start my journey down the beach. The ocean calls out to me again, taunting me to challenge it. I can feel my heart pound as my footsteps become forever implanted into the sand creating with it everlasting memories, and as my short journey comes to an end I am faced once again with the notorious ocean and you’re standing there saying, “Let’s go get him bud!”
