Friday, July 27, 2012

walk this way


As pleasant as my garden is, life goes on outside of it.

I am reminded of that every time I poke my head out my gate.  Like some sombreroed hedgehog.

A couple of evenings ago I wandered down to the beach.  Even though I live within four blocks of the shore, I get there only every couple of months or so.

But each time I go, it is a new adventure.  Admittedly they are small "a" adventures.  But adventures, nonetheless.

The Mexican school summer holiday began a couple of weeks ago.  So, our beaches are alive.

Families with coolers.  Children in our sand-swirling, stomach-churning waves.  Young women with babies watching their young men on skim boards or playing  the "I'm-the-star-the-rest-of-you-are-crimping-my-style" version of Mexican football.

With all of that activity, I managed to catch the photograph at the top of this post.

The girl had been watching the skim boarder artfully practicing his sport.  On one trip up the beach, she ran to him with a bit of coconut husk.

My writer instincts kicked in.  Who was she?  A crush-smitten stranger?  His sister?  His daughter?

Whoever she was, and whatever narrative she was living, the emotional spark between the two of them was enough to make my evening.  With that simple glance between the two of them.

But a glance that says -- You are special.  Thank you for letting me walk your path.

18 comments:

min said...

Steve,
How sweet!
Eyes of beholder.

Min

Steve Cotton said...

Right out of a writer's workshop.

Colin Hayward said...

A: Crush Smitten Stranger

Young children—before self-consciousness and cynicism kick in—are appreciated the world over. Niños in Mexico, without access to video games, the Internet and other ridiculous "luxuries", seem to keep their "innocence" a bit longer than others. No?

Nice photo by the way.

Steve Cotton said...

I see countless moments like this on the beach.  I should visit more often.

Colin Hayward said...

This time of year the sand is often crazy hot, but if you can make it to the water you can cool off a bit.

Andean said...

And why don't you? You're so close.
The very foggy day we were there even, I took a great picture of a group riding horses on the beach disappearing into the thick fog--love that photo.

Steve Cotton said...

Probably because even my garden is more interesting.

Andean said...

Your answers may explain...you are not there "often" to find "interesting." As far as the ocean goes, I find it has a huge greatness, to appreciate, but of course I enjoy going in.

And, I do understand the laguna area, very well.

Chico said...

I believe she is asking for spare change.

Steve Cotton said...

But where would he keep his wallet?

Chico said...

That's funny, I asked myself the same question just after posting my comment.

min said...

 That's not very nice way to look at the world or the people.

Steve Cotton said...

Chico was just making a joke.  And a rather witty one.  Worthy of Oscar Wilde.

min said...

Thought,I was replying to Chico?

Steve Cotton said...

You did.  I was just butting in.

Chico said...

Sometimes I think I enjoy the playful banter in your comments section more than the blog itself.  And I do enjoy the blog very much.

min said...

Good bye. Steve

min said...

 If you want to post this ,its up to you.
been reading Your Blog for 5 years and sometimes,muss by it and found kindness in your spirit.

I can't stand the person,who think,his own self is better then others

There is word for it.
Ego .
You can delete My E-mail from Your Blog site.
Good luck.