Dogs and children, I've noticed, make the most of every moment. If they're at the beach, they're really at the beach. They're running and swimming and building castles, and the 4 legged among them are running as fast as they possibly can for the sheer enjoyment that running full speed brings; chasing some birds along the way, but that was just an after thought. They're catching balls, and throwing balls, making crab swimming pools and drip castles.

They are Investigating life as it is in the here and now,

not a thought for tomorrow or yesterday.

My kids make the most of this change of scenery, by actually

That is, inserting themselves, as it were, into a modern day Norman Rockwell Scenario. Choosing to eat their lunch in the gazebo in town, making friends with the trolley driver, and actually using it for transportation to and from their friends homes. They ride their bikes barefoot wherever they go, and post their babysitting signs at all of their haunts.

They find lost dogs and get unexpected rewards, go fishing, crabbing, clamming, and bring their catch home to fillet, eat, and learn how to prepare. Although they're teenagers now, they remember the joy and tribulation that a hermit crab can bring, and revisit an old pastime, buying feisty new hermit crabs replete with cottages and extra shells so their crabs can have choices. When we hear loud splashes on the bay in the evenings, they carefully slide the screen door open, so as not to disturb the possibility of an otter sighting, which has alluded most of us on the basin. He's a tricky little bugger, but he leaves signs of his visits on our floating dock; signs you'd rather not see. But he gives them good reasons to go outdoors in the evening, and though he alludes us, he gives us an opportunity to shift our gaze skyward, where we seek out the big and little dippers, and if It's clear enough, catch a glimpse of the milky way itself.

I am observing and marveling at their ability to make the most of every moment and make a mental note to myself, that

my time Down the Shore also has a shelf life, and that

On Tandem Bicycle

They're Peddling Together

Longer Legs

and

Shorter Legs

Experienced Legs

and

Legs Less so

Yellow Shirts

Matching Shirts

Long Hair and Beard

and

Young Girl all Aglow

Peddling Together

United as One

Father and Daughter

Tandem  Fun

Matching Shirts 

Connect These Two

To Untold Resources

Time Spent is the Glue

They'll sense What They need to

With Every Stroke

He'll intuit when she's tires

for that's what she'll evoke

And if They Continue

The Bond Will Grow Strong

Like the Roots of a Family

should Be all Along

and

She'll Be Confident When

she presents you a plan

She'll be calm and at ease 

Because of your open hand

And Take it she will

When times are Amiss 

She'll know what to expect

and She'll speak you the list

of things that she's pondered

and things that she's feared

The sand in the Hourglass

Its Motion is stilled.

And It is partially since

You peddled with her

You became so In Sync

That You peddled some more

And Even when you can't

Ride Tandem Again

Just By Talking

Just Talking

You experience it Again

For a mentor is such

That you anticipate When

You need to engage

Take Stock and Defend

The needs that are growing

The skills that need care

The hearts that are fragile

Before these moments

 become rare

Because growing means trying

To ride your own  race

They'll need to ride solo

and set their own pace

But You'll Be Proud

 and Be sure

That you've taught what you should

cause your presence meant more

than any words could

So I watch as you peddle

And I Resonate With

-The Intention of Connection-

And The Love that You Give.