Monday, January 7, 2013

The Beach

Every year for the past 10 years my family has spent the week after Christmas on Long Beach island. Despite the impact of hurricane Sandy this year was no exception. It was, however, different.

I was apprehensive to see the island. I have had survivors guilt about how unscathed we were by the storm when so many around us lost so much. I even forgot the tradition of mocking the phrase my mother said whenever we came over the bridge "I remember when Ron Jon's was just a shack."

Debris was piled in front of homes and businesses and due to the heavy rain the night prior to our arrival the streets were flooded.  The Wawa was closed. Both were closed. The Acme was empty. Shops and restaurants were not just closed for the season. The damage was no longer as evident as it once was, but you could feel it. It was different.

We arrived at the new rental which was the best one yet! My parents were waiting for us. It was grand and the water view was exquisite. It is my favorite part of our annual tradition. Looking at the water while we spend time together as a family. You could see as far as Atlantic City from the roof deck.

We began the unloading of baby gear. The playpen/gate, the pack and play, the large bag of toys, the portable high chair, the diapers, the wipes, the monitor, the sound machine and even the jumperoo. Somehow it all fit just like it did in the car. We were settled in.

The fun began with the arrival of my brother and his family. Polish food was the fare for dinner. The baby likes perogies. After dinner Brenton came into my mother's room with me while she unpacked. Just as he was standing looking at himself in the mirror it happened. He took two tiny baby steps all on his own.

It was magical. It was just what I wanted. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if he took his first steps at the beach?", my mother asked me at Christmas Eve dinner. I told her I was hoping he would. As always he did not disappoint.

Of course he did not do it again until we came home, but we had other special moments. He recognized the ocean as fascinating and made a bee line for it crawling so quickly I had to chase him. He dug in the sand in his fancy snowsuit my mother bought. He stood all by himself. He played with his cousin Carson. He played with his cousin Jason. We laughed. We ate. We took so many pictures.

As the days passed it happened as it always does. We relaxed. It was the perfect break from it all. And then after ringing in the New Year with a dinner out wearing our New Years hats and all the fanfare, it was time to go.

We packed the baby gear and it all fit. We headed out for one last meal together before heading back home to our separate lives. As we drove off the island I turned to my husband and put my hand on his leg and said, "I remember when Ron Jon's was just a shack."