I look up and see my boulder. A favorite place to sit and watch the ocean.  I stand here looking for the best way up. Rocks will serve as giant stepping stones to reach my goal, in between, small little pools.

Oh! Look!  A crab scurries by hoping to hide from my glance.

I sit like a bird on a perch, my boulder, a smooth grey stone. Behind me, I feel the rising sun, before me, the grey morning sea, White caps are caught in the wind that eventually reaches me, blowing in my hair.

I feel free here in the sky!  Tall and strong, but it is time to go. I climb down, careful to not step in the little pools.

On the beach now, the sand, cool under my bare feet.  Over to my left, mounds of kelp brought in by the sea. I remember, as a child, hanging that kelp all over me, pretending to be a giant sea monster!

At last, I stand at the edge, water lapping over my feet, pulling the wet sand over them, moving back to the sea.

So peaceful here, alone with only what belongs to the sea, like me. The little sand pipers running around finding bits to eat. Seagulls call to me and pelicans are diving for a meal, reminding me that I am hungry too.

And so, I leave, grateful to have this place, forever mine, within my memories.

Deanne Quarrie, D. Min.