DIVING OFF A PIER is a right of passage for youth in my West Coast world. I did it, too, as a child. It was fantastic fun even though I could barely swim and later developed a fear of being in deep water. The girl (above) dropped into the blue-green sea straight as a pencil last week and was obviously enjoying the final weeks of summer at Crescent Beach.
I remember how each leap into the water with carefree abandon is touched with a hint of danger and then pride as confidence builds.
Time stands still when waters are warmed by the sun and ripples bubble and sparkle amid the splashes. There is joy in simply being alive and letting go to playful moments before returning to the routines of school.
These boys are soaking in the last rays of summer sunshine. Their casual tunes float in harmony with the gleeful sounds all around them.
Kites drift gracefully towards the clouds to the delight of onlookers.
Sailboats are ready to go where the haphazard breezes take them.
Yesterday's children linger here, too, their thoughts and laughter etched in stone. Memories of our own childhoods are engraved in our hearts.
Autumn is coming. A new chill fills the air now and some have jumped away from the circle of seasons. Young people in their twenties, well known in my community, experienced their last summer moments during the holidays. They died in three separate incidences: a small-plane crash, a car accident, and a dive into a lake off a cliff that ended in tragedy.
Thoughts and prayers of the entire community go out to their grieving families. Their losses are harsh reminders that life can suddenly vanish. It is a shame to squander it with worry and fear over things that might or might not happen. Long or short, our time on earth is not known. The uncertainty of the road ahead urges us to unwrap and treasure this precious gift and to be inspired by it daily.To enjoy sights from around the globe, link to Our World at the sidebar.
Copyright by Penelope PuddlismsSee more BC scenes at Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride.
That's so sad about the short lives of those who had their last summer.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sequence of shots and you captured so well the delights of summer.
Oh Penelope, even as I admired the carefree abandon in the first photo, I was thinking of the story of the young man who lost his life cliff-diving. You have a way of expressing great beauty (enchanted summers) while at the same time gently reminding us to fully treasure all that we have. Your precious gift has been unwrapped and shared with all of us.
ReplyDeleteMy heart, too, goes out to the families and loved ones of the young people who died.
Great summer series of photos!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful look at the last days of summer in spite of the sadness of the young lives lost! We've had a lot of that here in Seattle this summer! Still, so much beauty and laughter for many! Wonderful captures and a beautiful post for the day!
ReplyDeleteHow sad that the end of summer will always remind some families of tragedies. I hope most will associate the end of August with diving, sitting in the sun and carefree abandon.
ReplyDeleteNostalgic photos wave goodbye to summer. So sad to grieve the young that died.
ReplyDeleteA sobering reminder of how fragile life can be, told in such a beautiful way.
ReplyDeleteNostalgic thoughts about the leaving summer is beautifully written, Penelope. While I admire the adventurous spirit of the youth, the tragic end of the life grieves me. Personally I like to go under the surface of the sea or lake but not to jump into. I remember the last few days was like a nightmare (when compared to the totally carefree days) with not-finished assignments for the summer holiday.
ReplyDeleteHi Penelope,
ReplyDeleteI hope a new chill in the air will come to Nara as soon as possible before I melt!
In Japan too, I've heard tragedies related to water every weekend. So sorry.
But, your photos refresh and recharge me!!
Have a wonderful week!
keiko
Thanks for your beautifully composed post like a poem without rhyme. I am so sorry about the young people dying this summer, their last summer.
ReplyDeleteOh that is so sad, how horrible for their families. My heart goes out to them.
ReplyDeleteJen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Oh -- how perfectly poignantly lovely. Summer never lasts long enough ... and neither does ....
ReplyDelete