Now that Labor Day has officially happened, it is now the 'off' season at the beach. This is the first time in all of my 41 years that I was able to experience Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day at the beach and it has been quite the experience. I packed up and left Alexandria and the DC area in Late June, though I had already been staying here in Lewes, DE for a month. During the past 3 months or so, I have met some incredible people and have had some memorable moments during what I have nick named the "Endless Summer." I have also worked through a ton of personal baggage, have learned to run far, far away from anyone and anything that deemed dramatic, as well as find that part of me that needed to re-emerge in full force. Yeah, buckle up kids, I'm back. So, as the kids have headed back to classes, here is a list of what I have learned during my summer at the beach:
1) The beach in Lewes really, truly is my place of respite and quietness.
2) That being said, I easily found myself in old routines of going to the 'hometown' bar every night.
3) That being said, I have also met some awesome and amazing friends because my ass likes to sit on a bar stool and watch Nats games.
4) Boys are dramatic. Period.
5) Men are not. And there, folks, is the difference that I have been searching for throughout the past few years.
6) I was able to see almost all of my cousins, their kids, and aunts & uncles this summer and visit with them and reconnect. Priceless.
7) My parents are the most understanding, patient, giving, supportive, and gracious humans to ever walk this earth.
8) 7 hours on the beach with my toes in the sand and warm sun are the most healing aspects I can ever need at any point...this includes recovering from a hang over...
9) "you can't always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need." I finally learned to listen to this and now appreciate it more than ever; thanks BB!
10) I'm a nerd and I need to read, a lot.
11) I am actually strong enough to say 'good bye.'
12) I may actually, possibly, not sure, still figuring it out, but willing to give it a try, be able to trust a relationship again.
13) Tenacity is one of the top 3 strengths any human can possess. It always pays off, even if it is not on 'your' timeline. Stay focused on your goals and keep pushing forward through all of the muck and shit that Life challenges you with at every turn.
14) I need more 'alone' time than I ever realized and I now recognize the tells of when that needs to happen.
15) Bar friends are still some of the most amazing people you will meet. They care, genuinely.
16) I still refuse to grow up, but I realized that I do like being an 'adult' way more than I ever imagined.
17) I miss my friends in Old Town more than I thought.
18) I also found out who my true friends are in Old Town after I moved.
19) My nephew is one of the most important people in my life; that became even more apparent this summer.
20) I have been able to see my sister almost every two weeks and even though she's the 'baby' sister, she keeps me grounded and I am forever grateful for every minute that we hang out or talk.
21) Shawn Colvin and David Gray were always favorites. They are now mentors and gods after close to a hundred hours of listening to them on the beach.
22) Owning 'all' of you is hard and painful, but worth it after you face the 'demons.'
23) Sometimes you get stuck in a 'ditch' and you need to ask for help from your closest people. My cousin Josh is still more of a 'brother' to me and we will always be there for each other. Period.
24) Listening to music in the dark on the porch with a cocktail is some of the best down time anyone could ever wish for.
25) I am now a fan of the Bachelor/ Bachelorette/Bachelor in Paradise franchise. Don't judge.
26) I hate people, but I have allowed myself to open up to few amazing individuals who have helped me through this 'great experiment.'
27) Forgive everyone who has hurt you. Not for their sakes, but for yours. Life is much simpler when you do--no one's perfect and Life is hard.
28) With that being said, learn from past mistakes and don't settle for anything less than what makes you happy and feels 'right.'
29) And no, no one 'needs to' or can 'fix you,' 'save you,' or take care of you. The ones that say this all have their own agendas for you and that is suffocating and unnecessary.
30) The ocean is the most powerful and peaceful work of Nature available. Make every moment count when in it's presence.
This summer has been one of the most delightful and frightening experiences of my life, but its kind of funny how everything began to come together at the same time. I will be forever grateful for the support and generosity of my friends and family, all of whom have helped me in so many ways to get through the last few months. This is still the 'great experiment,' but it just may work out and I can keep my toes in the sand year round for the next few years. Drink well, Drink Often, and Be Kind.
