The Sand Castle

It was just another warm summer day spent swimming and playing at the beach. I remember

sitting in the sand with a tin can digging trenches to the water’s edge and watching

the foamy, saltwater slowly making its way into the moat around the castle I was building. Friends

were close by but I was determined to create my own fortress and if need be, defend it

against all invaders including sisters, brothers and all others. This was my domain where crabs came

crawling and hidden under armored shells large and small – in brilliant shades of orange, red, blue,

yellow and all the colors of Fall. Seagulls flew round about, squawking and talking in loud shouts,

watching and waiting for the next morsel of free food to appear. (Even now, they fly high in my eyes

and ears). And once the castle was fully in place along with my initials traced deep down into the soft

white sands, I waited for the tide to rise and destroy my best laid plans. And while watching this seaside

spectacle take place, the sun slowly went down on the oceans’ wind-swept face. Then mom and dad

began gathering us kids together to say goodbye to my fortress by the sea and edge of land

that will remain forever embedded as an indefatigable part of who I am.