It’s fitting (perhaps cruelly) that the 1st night of our 1st trip away to the beach as a trio falls on a full moon. Owen loved the beach and had an intimate fascination with the moon. I recall a trip to Hilton Head in 2007. There was a giant full moon. Owen was just learning to talk. As we approached the beach that evening after a late dinner, I recall him repeating, “the moon, daddy…the moon, daddy.” At one point he raced toward the water in an effort to actually reach it. Obviously, that event left an impression.

Being at the beach is hard…and cathartic. And, it’s a reminder of the beauty of life. A Pittsburgh writer says something quite elegant about recognizing this beauty:

“The answer must be, I think, that beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.”

-Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

I choose to find beauty and depth and warmth in the light of the full moon tonight.