Letter from the editor
I love looking forward to something. For much of the year, that something is summer.
Like many, I’ve always been drawn to this season. I love warm sand between my toes, the refreshingly cool ocean, the sound of crashing waves or an afternoon spent floating in a swimming pool. I love what I still call “playing in the dirt” — though most adults would probably call it flower gardening. Everyday, I look forward to golden hour, that magical time just before sunset when the temperatures are perfect for doing just about anything outdoors: walking, biking, kayaking, gardening or paddleboarding.
Summer is also a very busy time. Inevitably, I’m racing from one event to the next, answering emails, checking my phone, planning the next issue of Shore Local and worrying about tomorrow instead of appreciating today.
Summer at the Shore is the time many of us have been waiting for. But summer also has a way of reminding us that time moves much faster than we expect.
Let’s put down our phones, and enjoy each moment. Just because we have the technology in our hands now to record every moment doesn’t mean we should. Some should only be kept in our hearts and minds.
Years from now, our children probably won’t remember how many errands we squeezed into a Saturday or how many emails we answered before lunch. They’ll remember building sandcastles that disappeared with the tide. They’ll remember staying up late to watch fireworks, searching for seashells at sunrise, riding bikes to breakfast or cheering as brightly decorated boats glide by during Night in Venice.
Those moments become our treasures.
As adults, though, it’s easy to miss them. Our attention is constantly divided by schedules, responsibilities and the endless pull of our phones. I know because I’m just as guilty as anyone else. Even on vacation, my mind often drifts toward what’s next instead of what’s happening right in front of me. Bucket lists can become a burden. A task list to check off. Overplanning can lead to disappointment, whether it involves work or play.
Put the phone away for a while. Watch the sunset without worrying about taking the perfect photo. Listen to the waves instead of notifications. Take the extra walk on the beach. Stay a little longer at the family barbecue. Strike up a conversation with someone you’ve never met. Wave to strangers during the boat parade.
Be present and enjoy the here and now.
Right now, we’re in the heart of summer. The days are long. The evenings invite us to linger outdoors.
Don’t rush through summer.
Breathe in the salty air. Feel the sand beneath your feet. Laugh with the people beside you. Watch the sunset. Make the memory instead of documenting every second of it.
This is the season we’ve been waiting for.
This is the moment.
Let’s not miss it.
Peace & Love, Cindy
