an endless battle

[carly_kai]

Walking along the beach I am reminded of a day on the left coast of Canada, a day much like today was with fair skies, a gentle breeze and the sound of waves breaking on the shore. A stick, some sand and my rather unique way of looking at things resulted in the writing of a rather cryptic message in the sand, a message that I wished for yet could not realize. A bit of a wry smile perhaps on the face of the viewer as she reads and deciphers - YKW - WYMM.

A brief moment in time, a message for one, a statement of intent that would survive in my memories yet be erased with the coming tide.

Years and several thousand miles later I find myself with a stick in hand as I walk down the beach. As I write this message I discover that I must battle the waves that are attempting to erase it - I could move further inland but then the sand would give way to shells and cobble - useless for my purpose. Again and again I face and race the waves unstoppable action until I reach the moment where I can take this picture.

I could have stopped as I was simple forming six letters in the damp sand with a stick, yet the I am driven to form these three words as it is a moment of documenting and discovery - I am trying to establish Who I Am, and what better place to do so than on the beach, near the water that links us to life itself?

How suitable, how ironic that as soon as have established who I am the understanding of my changing life is erased by a gentle yet unstoppable force of nature. The words are gone yet remembered forever, the water the only constant in this ever changing scene. The beach will not be the same when the next day dawns, neither will I.

Will you remember me? Will you remember how I laughed today, how I cried when I cut my toe and it bled on my sandal, how I poked at things with my stick? Will I remember? Should I remember who I was or try to wash it away with the waves? I remember the good, the bad, the remarkable and the mundane. I remember the happy and the sad yet often can not remember who I am without looking into a mirror or at my reflection in a puddle.

Will you remember me? Will you remember how hard I tried? I will remember despite the actions of the waves.