Our lives are intertwined with conversations and interactions with the people we meet along our path. Sometimes the people we meet improve our lives, or at least our mood for the day. These are the people who are encouraging, cheerful and positive. Like joy-on-feet, they come into our day and make us feel better about who we are and what we are doing. I am sure you know some of these people, and some names probably came to your mind.
Then there are the people we meet throughout our day who rub us the wrong way. Their grumpy, grumbly, negative attitudes stroke against our skin like a porcupines needles. Like the sourness of a lemon, they come into our day and make us feel worse about who we are and what we are doing. I am sure you know some of these people and some names probably came to your mind.
And though I meet people every day of my life, there is something unique about the people I meet at the beach.
We spend many summer weekends at a Lake Erie beach near my parents summer cottage, and for the last 13 years, we have met some very interesting people there.
We have also met Old Speedo Guy. This older gentleman (who should not be wearing a Speedo, though that is my belief for every guy) comes to the beach to lie out in the sun. We always see him there and cringe when he gets up to walk to the water to take a quick dip to cool off. Eeeeek!
Oh there are many, many people we meet at the beach. We meet Snobby (and skinny) Bikini Girl, with the perfect tan (and the body I wish for), Stressed Out Mom with toddlers and preschoolers whining and crying and running too far out of sight. Obnoxious teenagers throwing a Frisbee a little too close to our heads and Bikini Grandma, who, like Old Speedo Guy, should clearly choose better beach apparel.
I know that these people are more than what they look like, and I have not gotten to know them on a personal level. But it seems like our lives are intertwined none the less, with conversations and interactions with the people we meet, especially at the beach.
Sometimes the people we meet improve our lives, sometimes they make us smile, and sometimes, like a sour lemon, they make us pucker and cringe. You probably know some of both.
But the best person I meet at the beach is Relaxed Trish, who is encouraging, cheerful and positive. Like joy-on-feet, I find a more peaceful me at the beach. And with every crashing wave and rhythmic sound, the stress of my life fades. Maybe, if I take the time to focus on the blessings of my life, I can bring more than sand and seashells home with me on our next trip to the beach.
