Childhood Beach Outing

Dug deep down inside and pulled out the memory file about being a child with my family for a rare outing at Jones Beach, we were all there with my Moms picnic basket, just in case we got hungry, we'd eat one of her special treats, My Mom didn't like the water and especially the ocean, so she sat on her beach towel, applying suntan lotion, the rest of us going for a swim for some cool relief, my Dad diving in first to show his swimming techniques, from how to tread water if we couldn't land on our feet, to how to cup our hands, and stroke with our arms in a nice easy rhythm, I could tell my Dad was on a teaching how to swim mission, then some of us took a leisurely stroll on the beach shore, while some of us ran when we noticed horseshoe crabs eerily congregating, my Dad picked a couple of them up by their tail, and after inspecting them threw them way up in the air, where they'd land somewhere in one of the waves, landing precariously with a very loud splash, I thought to my 7 year old self, with pride and love in my heart, my Dad is so very brave, when were on the beach he is my hero because he makes me feel so safe! Addendum: My deceased Dad was a terrific swimmer who worked as a police officer on a police boat for the Marine Bureau on Long Island, N.Y. from 1955-1985…rest in peace Dad. We love and miss you...