Not Just A Day At The Beach

My middle sister has two girls just about the same ages as my girls and they are all really close, and I love it! I think it is one of the best things for the girls that they grow up together, not just as cousins but as friends. When the girls were babies and would play side-by-side I remember hoping that one day they would actually play together and enjoy it. Now that day has come and it really is fabulous.
A few days ago I took all four girls to the beach while my sister was working. The day was quite spontaneous as I hadn't made any plans but I knew that I wanted to do something other than just hang out at the house. Fortunately, we live up the street from a beautiful beach so we headed down there for the day with our snacks, both healthy and not, and an array of mismatched shovels and pails. I brought my chair, big floppy hat and iPod and dock station for some tunes. I didn't bring any libation as I normally would had I been going with a girlfriend but I didn't want to be that mom so I decided to abstain.
As I was settled in my comfy chair listening to Vivaldi (I'm kind of a nerd, I know) and I looked out at the girls I saw something that brought a tear or two to my eye. They were skipping and dancing along the wide open beach holding hands and laughing. I don't think I have ever felt so much love and pride as I did at that moment. I don't know what it was about that particular moment that effected me so greatly. It could have been the beautiful setting coupled with the beautiful scene. Now, if I had brought a bottle of wine it would all make perfect sense for me. The girls were so carefree and innocent as all children should be and I thought to myself, 'your dream of all the girls becoming friends for life is a reality'. I started picturing them as adults still hanging out and reminiscing about the fun days of their youth spent together at the beach with the best Aunt and mother four lucky girls could ever have. I hope I'm in their memories somewhere! I guess I'm just getting older and I understand how important family is to enjoying a secure and stable life. I hope they are always dancing and laughing together. Just writing this blog is bringing on the tears. Ahhhh..... motherhood, it's a wonderful journey.