The Summer Solstice, and Thoughts on The Spill
Monday, 21 June 2010
I pulled out some books last night to look for Solstice ideas for the kids. Something to help signify the rhythm of the seasons. But our upcoming New York trip combined with The Boy’s sixth birthday has me feeling really maxed out at the moment, and I didn’t plan anything to mark the occasion, as I would have liked to.
Which is why I’m so glad The Snail called me this morning and invited us to a quick impromptu beach visit in honor of the First Day of Summer. We threw on our suits, grabbed our always packed beach bag, and ran out the door.
And I’m so glad we did. It was a beautiful sunny day and the water was glorious–the perfect way to celebrate the First Day of Summer. As it does with everyone living on the Gulf of Mexico right now, conversation turned to The Spill. I’ve mentioned in this space before, all of the joy and good times we’ve had on our little beach. But I have to say that we’re more than a little scared to lose it. The Daddy Monkey is cautious of us even swimming at this point. Even though oil hasn’t washed up on our shore, the toxins are in the water along with the chemical “dispersant” being dumped into The Gulf to “help” clean up.
I’m so deeply heartsick that my children could grow up in a time where the beach is considered a toxic place.
Thinking of all of the life that is affected by this. Human and otherwise.
We continue to go for now.
Enjoying every beautiful moment, not knowing how long it will last. Hoping beyond all hope that this mess is cleaned up soon, and this whole business will be over for good someday.
No. 1 — June 22nd, 2010 at 1:40 am
I have been holding similar space for these thoughts all day. I’m so glad we went and am motivated to visit almost daily until the unthinkable might happen. So glad to see you there today and I’m hopeful that my mind’s images will never come to pass here. But I too, worry to sickness.
No. 2 — June 22nd, 2010 at 8:01 am
We’re a looong way from the spill (being in the UK), but gosh, reading about your very personal experience of the places that will be affected by it really makes it seem very real and present. Thanks for making me think about it in a more active way.
No. 3 — June 22nd, 2010 at 1:39 pm
I, too, worry over the loss of our sacred beach … for our children, for us and for all the living beings & places imapcted by this terrible disaster. It makes my heart ache in a way I’ve never known before. My hope is that we can grow as a people and our children (who are all so touched by this spill) will learn to be more responsible and creative beings because of it. Meanwhile, like you, I am enjoying every single beach moment. Another opportunity to BE HERE NOW.
No. 4 — July 3rd, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Oy. Rose…I’ve been over here in the south of France hand-wringing, raging, trying to remake the world. That one photo–little black shells tucked into sandy-colored rock–just breaks my heart in the context of this disaster and the greed and bad habits behind it all. Who was it it who said “History has shown us we don’t learn from history”? Those coral reefs they found in the Gulf just last year–poof!