For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Wendell Berry
Sunday, we finally got out to Boundary Bay Regional Park. Going there is a summer ritual for our family. When we pulled up in the parking lot, we could see that there was a new building, which proved to be a lovely new concession stand with washrooms and change rooms. We've been going to Boundary Bay for 11 years - ever since we moved to Vancouver. The first time, they were filming, "Air Bud Spikes the Ball," right beside the old concession stand and there were two "Air Buds," on duty, who apparently alternated takes. (For those of you who aren't familiar with these iconic family films, they are about a boy and his talented golden retriever.) We were new to Vancouver then and thought it was cool to see a movie shoot. We're a bit jaded now since most movie shoots involve seeing catering trailers and signs and not much else.
Back to Sunday. We staked out a place on the beach beside a large partly-burned log and took off our shoes and socks and headed out into the bay. It was low tide, which was when we'd timed our arrival because at low tide you can walk literally for miles in water that doesn't even get waist-high. I went as far as I could without getting my shorts wet - I need a new swimsuit. My husband, son, and son's girlfriend went further in search of sand dollars, crabs, and whatever else they could see. I moseyed along, alternately walking in the shallow water and on the sand. I could see lots of gulls, dead crabs, the occasional tiny fish swimming through the eel grass, and I even found several sand dollars. Mostly, however, what I found was peace. As I walked in the water, with the sun just coming out and a wonderful wind blowing, I could feel my stress melt away. And, as it did, I asked myself, as I always do, why I didn't do this more often. Well, I bet most of you know the answer(s): too much to do, not enough time, not enough energy, too stressed, etc. And again, like every time, I vowed to get to the beach more often. Not necessarily this beach, but a beach, because beaches are one of my magical places.
It has long been recognized that spending time in nature is important for people of all ages. Now, doctors and psychologists are "prescribing" ecotherapy, which is just a fancy way of saying, going outside. A relatively new field, ecotherapy works with people with mental health issues ranging from depression to PTSD. I definitely agree, the living world is a potent healer. Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind is a good place to find out more. Another good place to go is the website ecotherapy.org.
Meanwhile, back at the beach, I sloshed myself to shore, put my shoes back on, scrounged three dollars out of my pocket and went to the new concession stand and sat down with a chocolate bar and a glass of ice water and wrote in my journal. It was heavenly. Then, when the rest of our group got back, we ate lunch and my husband and I went for another walk - on land - while my son and his girlfriend, "chilled on the beach," as they said. Unfortunately, my son also burned as he "chilled," since he'd forgotten to put on sunscreen. All-in-all though it was a nearly perfect day. We drove home around 6, with our sandy feet, sunburned spots here and there, and a haul of 3o or so sand dollars. My husband washed them and they're drying on the patio table. He plans to bleach the prettiest ones and I'm going to package one carefully and send it to my parents and write them a long letter about our day on the beach. I'll save one or two more and keep them nearby to remind me of how nature heals - if we take the time to go there.
