A Beach Day Prayer

 "This is the day the Lord has made."

- Psalm 118:24

I thank you, Lord, for this day

as I visit the beach on a Men's Spiritual Retreat.

Today the waves crash.

The seagulls call.

The wind blows.

The sun warms my skin.

As I look at the sands,

I remember my Dad

in a beach chair,

a hat covering his balding head,

the end of a long string in his hand

from a kite fluttering in the winds above.

My brother and I building sandcastles nearby. 

It's a beautiful view from days gone by.

Bittersweet, as I remember the last time my Dad sat at the beach.

It had been a challenge 

getting him out of the car parked in a handicapped spot

guiding his walker over the sidewalk to the ramp that led to the sand.

He sat on his rollator 

a hat protecting his bald head 

watching the surf crashing in the distance 

with my son playing in a tide pool nearby.

It may have been his last physical trip to the beach. 

He still visits the beach in his mind. 

He loves to watch a YouTube video

of waves crashing 

with seagulls calling in the distance.

 

Today the waves crash.

The seagulls call.

The wind blows.

The sun warms. 

I remember.

I wish I had a hat.

Thank you, Lord, for this memory.

Thank you, Lord, for this day.

Amen.