The Ocean and Resistance

Teri and her sister, Ashley, at the Gulf Coast, circa 1989

When I was little, my family vacationed at the Gulf Coast beaches every summer. We'd barely have unpacked the car when my sister, Ashley, and I would squiggle out of our coverups and race to the beach together, squealing and running the whole way. We’d splash right out to the breaking waves and throw our arms out, letting the spray blast our faces, hair tangled like seaweed, laughing like crazy.

We loved playing this game with the waves where we’d wade out chest deep in the ocean, dig our feet into the sand below, and wait for waves to come. As they’d come, we’d dig our feet in the ocean floor and see if we could stay grounded as the waves passed over our heads.  

 It took an extraordinary amount of energy to stay under the water as the waves pulled at us, trying to lift us up in the current.  As the waves would go over my head, I loved the thrill of resisting the waves’ powerful pull and how free it felt on the following wave to lift my feet and take a ride.

Chris and I love vacationing with our kids at the same Gulf Coast beaches. A few summers ago, we were visiting the same spot and the urge to play this game with them came over me.  When we got to the shore, I ran into the ocean just like when I was little. I taught them how to root our feet in the sand, chest deep in the ocean, resisting the pull as the waves went over our heads. We laughed and laughed, our legs burning from the effort to stay rooted and not let the waves pull us up. After a while, we started chatting about life, and I felt such a sense of peace come over me.

I leaned back and let the waves hold me. I didn’t realize it when I was young, but I can float! I laid back and looked up at the sky. My ears were underwater, but I could still hear the muffled chatter of my family. I felt the gentle motion of the waves, not paying much attention to how big they were or when they were coming. 

I wasn’t resisting. Just letting the waves rock me up and down.

I watched the clouds float by, the gentle sound of the ocean and chatter lulling me into a deep calm. Chris held my right foot like an otter, making sure I didn’t float away. 

The ocean held me for no other reason than that's what she does.

As I floated, I thought about how much energy it took to resist the waves. 

I thought, Resistance takes a lot of effort.

Sometimes that's what we need.

Sometimes, it's okay to lay back and be held.

The ocean is ever-changing - just like us.

Sometimes we're floating. Sometimes we're swimming. Sometimes we're playing.

Sometimes a storm comes.

Sometimes we get sucked into the undertow.

All of it is part of life.

Playing. Protecting. Nurturing. Flowing. Letting yourself be held.

Hopefully in the presence of the ones you love most.

I'm learning, more often now, to accept what is and be present for it all.

Sending you love in whatever seas you find yourself.

Tribue Honorem ⚔️,