best beach day yet.

when a day at the beach was perfect- and i mean perfect- my mom would immediately and without hesitation deem it the "best beach day yet!" the yet came to be a bit of a joke as pretty much every day became the best beach day yet- yet meaning since yesterday i guess. but my mom was thrilled every time the sun came out, every time she caught a wave to shore -"a ten!" she would announce, grinning through the wet hair in her face. thrilled to be alive and on the beach and with family and the best of friends.

sunday was february 24th here, but for most of the day it was february 23rd at home. i spent sunday at manly beach. i had gone early in the morning to watch wendy, one of my initial hosts, compete in an ocean swim. and i spent the whole day there, returning home on the bus after five. and the day was perfect. perfect. though with one notable exception.

the sky dawned cloudless, yawning blue from east to west. the sun was hot and the breeze off the water just enough to keep you from sweating but not enough to keep you from wanting to go in the water. the ocean was 24 degrees with crashing waves perfect for body surfing and general merriment. the beach was packed and bustling but not overcrowed, the air full of the unique convivial energy that infuses public places in australia. we were there together somehow, sharing this perfect day.

i cannot tell you how much my mom would have loved sunday.

it was, without a doubt, the best beach day yet.