Splendid Seas

My happy place is the beautiful beach which runs along Gold Coast where my great grandfather used to take me on Sundae Sundays. The crowds swam like dolphins and children built sandcastles with smiles from ear to ear. I would sit on the toasty glistening sand, listening to the melodious chirping of birds as grandpop read my favourite non fiction books.

The waves would roll towards me, splashing gently and playfully as if it was trying to speak to me. I would sometimes walk along the water letting it caress my feet and wash away any doubts during the day.

One time, I had a maths test as challenging as carrying a sumo wrestler up Mount Everest. I came to the beach with my shoulders slumped and tears welling in my eyes about my poor performance. My grandpa spoke gently like the ocean,

“Every tree begins as a small seed.” He spoke in a calming voice pointing to the palm trees.

I looked up to find the evergreen strength of the palm trees, and the hundreds of broad-headed, wide-branched oaks. The vastness of the ocean told me how small my problem was. I nodded in agreement.

The waves rolled in and then the sun shone on me, giving me a warm embrace as if to tell me everything would be okay. My heart sat peacefully like a baby in a cradle being coddled by a parent, and my breaths became slow and deep like the opening to an orchestra.

I saw the laughing children building magical sandcastles in the distance over the thick carpet of grass. Soon, the beach became my magical escape place, even when grandpa passed away. I hope that one day, I can be like the ocean - welcoming, open and rolling past difficulty courageously.