Today is our last day at the beach. H and I have spent this past week in South Carolina, where we also safely traveled last summer and spring break 2019. Last year’s spring break felt like it never really happened with the start of the pandemic and lots of unknowns. We canceled our flights to Miami and hunkered down. But this year, spring break began on a good note. I received my second dose of the Covid vaccine, and after a few days of rest (it was about 24 hours of not feeling great, after which I was fine), we drove down here.
I knew the weather was iffy when we headed this way, and brought an assortment of sweaters and t-shirts so that I’d be comfortable no matter the weather. Still, I did hope for a beach day or two, and optimistically brought along a new swimsuit I’d gotten for the trip. Our days, however, have ended up being a mix of cool, cloudy, and windy, with just a tiny bit of sunshine and warmth mixed in. No matter – I’d also come equipped with a few good reads and was ready to spend some quality time with books and with nature on walks. Sometimes, you have to adjust your expectations and adapt to what life gives you.
And so, I have taken a walk outside at least twice daily, comfortable in my favorite cardigan. Sometimes it’s been on the beach, and other times, the surrounding nature trails. I have not worn headphones, but instead, have stayed present on my walks. I have listened to waves crash, birds sing, and the rustle of wind. I have sat and read for hours, absorbed in stories. I have observed the trees and dreamy Spanish moss and all the wildlife, like fox squirrels with little black and white faces and a pair of bald eagles that rested a while on a branch in the marsh. I have rested and relaxed; I have slept a lot. The few times we have flipped the TV on, it has been to an episode of Gardeners’ World, a show that will lull you to tranquility.
I may not have been lazing in the sand wearing my swimsuit, but this week has been quiet and calming nonetheless. It is a gift, after a school year of teaching in person during a pandemic, and the stress and uncertainty we have all been through. It is a breath of fresh air, a chance to be someplace else and soak it all up. But it does not take a vacation to experience this. As we are soon entering a new season, I encourage you to let go of dark winter days and breathe in the spring. Take walks, and notice each fresh bloom that appears in your path. Feel the warm sun on your face and the hope that coming months may bring. Embrace a simple, leisurely pace, and know that it really is the little moments that matter most.
