The Gift of the Sea

I wish to begin by informing readers that I am writing this entry for the second time after the text in the first published version was mysteriously deleted. So if you notice that this version seems sparser in description, or if you sense an underlying tone of cold rage, that would be the reason. :-)

On Saturday afternoon, Adele slept late, so rather than returning to the beach we returned to downtown Wilmington. Other than one solitary sail with Cappy when he was about a month old, Miles had never been on a boat before, nor had Adele. Adele kept gripping the side, naming things she could see, and then looking down at the craft and saying, happily, "A-boat!" which I think is a verb. Anyway, it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Miles & Aunt Ann recognized each other as kindred spirits.

Behold: the U.S.S. North Carolina!

The boat docked near the ship for a while and we got to gaze at it. Actually, I was mostly gazing at a little flock of wild ibises nearby! The first I'd seen outside a zoo.

It was a very pleasant day, if somewhat gray.

That evening, Jon and I went on a walk. We were only gone about 30 minutes, but look what Ann & Tom did with the kids in our absence!

The kids reportedly drew the face. All I know is, I got to avail myself of delicious baked pumpkin seeds for which I didn't have to work at all!

That is to say, thanks Ann & Tom!!

The kids are rapt as thespian, former theater student Ann reads a bedtime story.

Sunday morning early we got up, at some bacon which Ann obligingly prepared for us, and were drawn magnetically back to the shore.

We loved this fountain right in the middle of a Wilmington intersection.

The rain and clouds were a bit discouraging, but before long it became clear they were in a losing battle with a blue sky.

...See?

Jon tried in vain to get this awesome kite that our hosts gave Miles into the air. Someday this ship will fly. Until then, it sails on Miles' ceiling.

Here comes the sun! Don't you think a sky with texture is as beautiful as a solidly blue one?

God says, Bless this spot in particular.

Aunt Ann came out to enjoy the growing sunshine, and to cuddle with her niece.

We got back in the mid-morning to find Dad and Agnes had arrived, bringing my cousin Emily with her!

Em is a first year PhD student at Duke. Pray for her!! She's going to be amazing.
No, scratch that, she is already amazing. Miles and Adele knew it instinctively.

Ok, back to the beach. Yes, twice in one day.

Look where we ate lunch! this deck went right into the water. We got to enjoy luscious brunch while gazing at the waves. It was divine.

Can you see the dolphin?

Family shot on the pier

Uncle Tom, Aunt Ann, & Emily

Ann, Agnes, and Dad catching up

...Meanwhile, Miles was having a full on frolic!!

These videos are for you, only if you like kids dashing about gleefully and crashing waves. Go ahead, bliss out.

"Yes, as every one knows, meditation and water are wedded for ever. . . Why did the old Persians hold the sea holy? Why did the Greeks give it a separate deity, and own brother of Jove? Surely all this is not without meaning. And still deeper the meaning of that story of Narcissus, who because he could not grasp the tormenting, mild image he saw in the fountain, plunged into it and was drowned. But that same image, we ourselves see in all rivers and oceans. It is the image of the ungraspable phantom of life; and this is the key to it all." - Moby-Dick, chapter 1.

Back home again, Miles updated his List of Things Miles Wants to Do. "Go to the beach" and "Go on a boat" are now crossed off.

Now, if you please, we are back in the mountains, about 2400 feet higher in elevation, to say nothing of the miles. We are going to work, preschool, and daycare. We are drinking hot cider and gazing at fall foliage. But there is sand in our car still, and there are seashells in each kid's room, and on my desk at work. And we are so glad we went.