For the Life and Love of a Tide Pool
Two gorgeous days in a row. I’m becoming optimistic that our weather has finally turned around. Sunny days are here again! My friend Angela called me this morning inviting me to join a group that was heading to the Tide Pools at South Cardiff Beach. One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. Well, okay, I guess we could drag ourselves to the beach to play with friends. Twist my arm a little harder.
Juliet showcased two of her favorite activities: drawing and Arthur. She’s got that be-speckled guinea pig? hamster? weasel? kangaroo? ferret? rodent? character perfected. The sand was stretched wide and primed wonderfully to serve as a great canvas today. She also got a lot of digging, climbing, running and splashing accomplished. I hope she does this so much that she’ll never forget these days.
Camille especially enjoyed the life she found exploring the pools and digging in the sand. Tiny little crabs and clams, mussels and sea anemones were everywhere. She even saw a starfish before Juliet and I joined her! It was hard avoid stepping on the sea anemones especially since the clung to every available step and were disguised by the multitude of baby shells/clams covering them.
What I love about being with our circle of friends is the opportunity for all ages to play together. They do it so naturally and it’s beautiful. The older kids find opportunities to be gentle and sweet and encouraging while the younger kids have someone for laughter, guidance and inspiration. Friendship truly is not bound by age.
See all those big anemones? Their “hugs” feel like a cat licking my fingers. Those gelatinous tendrils wrapping around a finger is such a unique experience. Magical little creatures they are.
Tidepools are like a secret revealed. It’s such a wondrous sight to see the sea bottom and the life that is typically hidden from us. Tenacious life fueled by a strength that is often unknown- very inspiring. Mussels and algae adorn these plateaus and some are solidified by tiny calcified anemones. Wild beauty.
I spy with my little eye a heart in this tidepool. That’s precisely how I felt about today.
