Sunday, I spent almost the entire day on the beach.  It’s been a long time since I’ve done that, but there was a swell and the waves were amazing, so I got my beach blanket, sunscreen and headed to the shore to watch the surfers.

Because of the swell, the current was really strong.  I went in a few times to cool off and even though I was only in up to my ribs, the incoming waves knocked me back again and again.  There was also a really strong current pulling south so even though I started directly in front of my blanket, within a few moments, I’d end up a ways down the beach.

As I was watching the surfers take on impressive waves, I was distracted for a while by a man in his late 40’s who was playing in the surf directly in front of me.  Judging by his very pale skin (meaning he was one shade “tanner” than death!), I can only assume that he doesn’t live anywhere warm and definitely no place where the ocean water is probably as warm as the shower.

The waves would come and he would fall into them, allowing the water to toss him left and right, and then to the shore.  He’d pop back up, raise his arms, stretching them toward the sky and jump right back in.  In between sets, he’d fall back into the sea, floating on his back, arms outstretched, a huge smile on his face.  This cycle continued for about 20 minutes and during that time, I lost myself in his enjoyment.

The sheer pleasure this guy had in the ocean was contagious and for that short period of time, I shared that contentment with him.  Eventually, he tired, exited the water with a huge smile on his face and walked off down the beach.  As I watched him get smaller and smaller in the distance I felt thankful.  Thankful that we had shared that space in our lives together.  It was a little reminder of how easy it to forget the beautiful pleasures that are right in front of me every day.

But it also got me wondering, how many times have I thought that I was enjoying a moment all alone, only to have someone watching me in the same way??