I asked my mother if I could use an email comment from her as a guest blog. It’s a beautiful memory that adds another layer to the “raking the sand” discussion. Thanks, Mom!
Guest Post by Ellen Van Buren
I worked three summers as a life guard at an upscale hotel on Cape Cod. Part of my job was raking the beach at 7:00 AM and again at 5:00 PM, with the help of just one other guard. We had long wooden rakes. The beach was dirty. Mother nature delivered sea weed and drift wood–also some beautiful shells.
The hotel guests left remains from half-eaten lunches. We had no plastics back in the late 40’s and early 50’s. But we had lots of wax paper coated with peanut butter and jelly–and brown paper bags–and glass bottles…lots of glass bottles. There were also abandoned beach towels–sometimes “unmentionables” from late night rendezvous.
The beach had to be sparkling clean by the time the guests began to arrive at 8:00 AM. I would already be tired when I climbed into my chair high in the air. I was able to look down at the “raked sand”. I then looked out into the ocean and was ready for the day. There was always some form of chaos that needed cleaning up at the end of the day. However, we brought out the rakes, sifted through the sand and agreed that we had the best job ever!
Carol Huntley Cohen says
Nice reflection from Ellen!
I love the looking out to sea and the appreciation of a job that made life and nature more fresh and beautiful. Putting things in their rightful place as a
meditation. Thank you, Ellen. Through this blog, the energy of that work lives with us even today.
Love Carol
Brian says
Hey Muffie (err…Martha)!
I’m glad to see you’re settling in on a format/design for your blog. While reading this reflection from your mother I had one of those “AHA!” moments. I was actually transported away from the hustle and bustle get-it-done-yesterday energy that surrounds our lives these days. I’m sure that in our younger days, the tasks laid out for us may have seemed to be a chore or a burden. As I’ve grown older I now wish for a simpler time when I could just be content and take pleasure in a well groomed beach or garden. I think I’ve come to realize that with age, the need/ability to find those “zen” moments, becomes more important. Thank you!
Martha says
Wow, Brian, can’t believe you outed “Muffie”! You are showing your age. I haven’t been “Martha” since high school (by the way, will I see you at the 30th reunion tomorrow in Portland???). Much more importantly, I’m so glad you have connected to the blog’s intent, which is to help all of us take time for those Zen moments in the midst of life’s chaos. Much more of that to come.
Isabella Friege says
Your mom’s reflection to me is such an apposite illustration how remainders of the past – good and bad – are wiped out to make room for the new. What stays are memories and the traces within us.
P.S. I like the new photo with the clean sand and the football casting just a tiny shadow onto it. The signs of wear and tear on the ball add to the message. Great composition!!!
Martha says
Thanks, Isabella. It’s great to have the instant feedback — the process is working!
Sandy says
Hi Martha,
Love the look of the football in sand- a productive path and yet so peaceful.
Makes me think about when playing golf, how carefully one leaves the sand trap, back peddling on your own footprints and carefully removing all signs of a presence with the rake.
Enjoyed seeing the picture of our dogs on the beach together!
Sandy
Martha says
Thanks for yet another sand-inspired reflection, Sandy (just noticed the irony of Sandy writing about sand). I don’t golf, so I didn’t know about the rake for the sand trap (I would undoubtedly need it if I did golf). You are showing your true soccer-lover colors by calling it a “football” — the Europeans have it right this time.