Day 1059 Chaos

 

Amazing Day at the Beach

What a day! Don’t let the No Swimming sign fool you—the waves were incredible and the sunshine bright and hot. One section of the beach had a dangerously strong riptide, which led to the lifeguard having to rescue several kids before eventually closing that area down. It wasn’t as dramatic as it might sound, though. Most people just had to walk a few feet down the shoreline to find a safer spot and continue enjoying the waves.

What’s always surprising is how some folks seem to leave common sense at home. One family, in particular, stood out: after one of their kids was rescued, they allowed the others to keep swimming in the same hazardous section. Unsurprisingly, they needed a second rescue within the hour. That one family was the reason the lifeguard finally raised the No Swimming flag.

Despite the drama, it was a stunningly beautiful, sunny day—a perfect 10 out of 10 beach day. Afterward, we hustled home just in time to greet the grocery delivery and welcome Bridie and her crew, who arrived right around the same time. By dinner, the whole house was full—all four of our kids, their crews, and all the grandkids. It was lively chaos in the best way.

I cooked up dinner for the hungry crew, and we were all excited to head back to the beach for fireworks. Just as we packed into several cars and started our drive, the sky opened up—rain, thunder, lightning, and tropical winds! Midway to the beach, we regrouped via phone and made the call to abort the mission. My son and his family headed home, while the rest of us returned for Plan B: game night.

We ended up playing games for hours, filling the house with laughter and competitive energy. It turned out to be a fun and cozy end to an unpredictable day.

Summer days like these are a reminder that the best moments aren’t always the ones you plan. Here's to more beach days, more surprises, and soaking up as much sunshine and joy as the season has to offer.