The ocean beckons!

Last week Bryan went on vacation with his extended family to our Happy Place, Avalon, NJ. Joined by his parents, sister, brother-in-law, nephews, aunt, uncle and cousin, he enjoyed his beach trip doing what he’s done for years.

We hit the beach after a delicious omelet from our favorite boardwalk eatery, The Fishing Pier Grill. Bryan always gets the ham and cheese omelet, looking askance at me when daring to order the white toast vs. the healthier whole wheat version. “I’m on vacay, mom!” is his excuse. Dietary concerns are thrown to the wind this week. I let it slide.

I also turn a blind eye when he and his uncle travel to the bakery for the Sunday Sticky Buns, a tradition spanning some twenty-five years. They are consumed in a day or two, tops.

He treks to the beach in the morning and afternoon, – lugging his overly-heavy beach bag laden with books and papers which he will work on at the beach. His writing is frequently interrupted by high winds which aggravates him to no end. Before he settles in to do his “work”, he dons hat, sunscreen, headphones and a lanyard holding his cell phone so that he can do his walk listening to tunes. He is training for LDR-LDW Special Olympics this fall. As soon as he returns to our encampment, he jumps into the ocean for a cooldown. This week the ocean was finicky – some days calm as glass, other days rough and buffeting. Nevertheless, Bryan happily swam and bodysurfed his way through the week.

I noticed a new dimension to his vacation time this year, however. He is now very concerned when his nephews go near the water, near the second floor deck railing, cry or fuss . Acting like a Mother Hen, he fusses and voices concerns over their safety and well-being. It’s touching to watch him emerge from his shell to be more present for his nephews, teasing them and joining them when chasing pesky sea gulls on the beach. I am happy to see this new side of “Unky Bry”, as Finn and Dylan pester him and give him those very special hugs and kisses at the end of each day.

Our Happy Place is expanding and changing ever-so-slightly. And it’s a good thing!