The Beach in Winter

Today was one of those days you try to permanently etch into your memory. After putting Nate down for his afternoon nap, Luke and I left Daddy to his Chargers game and headed to the beach. We were armed only with two Hot Wheels and some change for the meter.

After finding a spot to park at 2nd in Hermosa, Luke loaded up the meter and declared, "Mommy, I love you!" We walked to the sand and immediately found some tracks on which to race our cars. Soon, we were distracted by some swings, which Luke preferred to ride high on his tummy. Next to the water, where we let the waves at low tide chase us, until Luke found an "island" of sand a few yards out. We stood and let the water run over our feet and legs until we were numbed by the January sea. I retreated to the sand while Luke began digging his castle, complete with two "foot pools" (for our feet) and a GIANT race track for our cars. We raced and hunted for shells and flipped cartwheels.

I sat in joy at the day, eighty degrees at the beach in winter. I sat in awe of the beauty of the ocean and the sky, pressed up against a crystal clear Bay of LA and looming-large Catalina. Most of all, I sat in wonder at my boy, so grown up and yet so not, so newly sure of himself and so unafraid these days, so open and loving and brave and fun. And I wanted the day, and the feeling, to last forever.