
Do you have a "happy Place". A place that has a calming effect or just makes things right in the world. Mine is without a doubt the beach. There have even been studies that prove large bodies of water reduce stress. (And if I ever bookmarked all the interesting articles I read I could find them to reference.) Some have suggested people that live near water are happier than those that do not. I don't know about all that. I do know, I have been lucky enough to have lived near the shore my whole life. It has always been a part of memory and personal history.
Last week I was having a stressed moment; sick with the flu, the boys sick with the flu, being 32 weeks pregnant. Being 32 weeks pregnant! And a whole bunch of other stuff that doesn't bare mentioning. While driving to my doctor to get checked out for flu complications I drove by the beach. Even covered in piles of snow, just seeing that expanse of water and sky calmed me on the spot. There is something about that vast body of water that just puts you in your place. Everything lines up when I look out at that water.
Driving past (because it's COLD out there) I was reminded of all the times I have found relief at the shore. One such time was during my mother's struggle with terminal cancer. Towards the end, when she needed full time care and I had taken a leave of absence from work; a health aid would come a couple times a week to offer me a few moments away from the house. It was an hour or two at most. But I would jump in the car and drive to the beach, where I would then swim out and embrace the feeling of being surrounded by something larger than myself. I would just tread water for as long as I could. Then I would jump in the car and drive back soaking wet, not having time to dry off. Those trips saved me during that period. I don't remember these moments with sadness or a sense of morbidity. I remember how grateful I felt. I will never forget the relief I felt when I would get to the shore.
I still feel that relief when I see the ocean. Like I've been holding my breath and can finally let it go. I have a strong beach love. It's my balm. It's a sanctuary. For me it is a place of empowerment and inspiration. Even when chasing the boys up and down the beach in the summer and fretting over sun block coverage, it's my happy place. My children are already asking when we can go walking along the shore. Talking about the discoveries they will make. already thinking up names of the islands they will discover at low tide. We just need to be 20 degrees warmer. Overcast and chilly don't bother me so much but frigid and arctic wind do put a damper on ones happy spot.
So what about you? Do you have a happy place? Is it near the water or in the trees? Where are you calm cool and collected?
*Photo of me and my father at the beach