A Walk Along the Beach

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After their mother's death and their father deep grief, Willa Lakey was left to raise not only herself but her younger siblings, Harper and Lucas. Then her sister Harper was diagnosed with Cancer and once again, Willa put her life on hold to nurse her sister through it. Now Willa runs a successful bakery/coffee shop and life is beginning to show promise. She has a customer who has turned her eye, and her business is growing strong. The only thing that stresses her out is her sister's insistence in pushing herself with a goal of climbing Mount Rainier. In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is the story of the earth.”

I LOVED this book!! The development of the characters in the first half along with the pace makes you feel as if there is a nice story to unfold as the characters are so likable. But at the halfway point......POW......the story takes a turn and you are on a roller coaster of emotions. Did you take a photo of a beach walk, and you’re trying to find a walk on the beach quotes that will make for a good caption?

Can I drive to the beach for a walk?

With family being the top of the list for most people, reading through this story about illness and loss was sometimes tough. And while the strength of a good strong person next to you can sometimes help, many times we have to go out alone. Binnie MJ, Dawson B, Pinnington H, Landers G, Peeling P. Sand training: a review of current research and practical applications. J Sports Sci. 2014;32(1):8-15. doi:10.1080/02640414.2013.805239 Feel the ghostly presence of the Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and monks, who claimed the island across the centuries. Watch out for some of its present day occupants, too: grey seals and migratory birds. Lose yourself in the rolling sand dunes, sandy bays and historic landmarks that dot the island. When you’re in love, the world is brighter. Sunnier. The air smells flowerier, and your hair is silkier, and suddenly you find yourself smiling at babies and strangers and old couples walking down the beach holding hands.” Jess Rothenberg

Marselle MR, Irvine KN, Warber SL. Walking for well-being: Are group walks in certain types of natural environments better for well-being than group walks in urban environments? Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013;10(11):5603-5628. doi:10.3390/ijerph10115603 Zu den frühesten Arbeiten mit dem Motiv badender Knaben gehört El baño von 1899, eine Studie zum großformatigen Gemälde ¡Triste herencia! von 1901. I found this book relatable as one who sat by the bedsides of, first, my best friend and then my sister--both now passed on to heaven--as they waged their cancer battles. What I enjoyed most about this story is the perspective that grief is real and powerful, but so his hope. And that life after loss can be full and good.

3. A walk through history on Holy Island

The older Joan (92-years-old) encourages the younger Joan (51-years-old) on daily walks and outings together. Young Joan decided to take a "year of solitude" at their family home on Cape Cod away from her husband to decide if she wanted to stay married and "find out who she is besides a wife". It was all a little much for my liking in that regard (Why are so many books lately about wives leaving their husbands to go find themselves? Meh.), but I did like a lot of the things Old Joan shared. Old Joan was married to Erik Erikson, a psychologist who worked alongside Sigmund Freud, so she had quite the interesting spouse—and herself was a dancer—so "unconventional" was right up her alley and probably why she connected so easily to Young Joan during her marriage sabbatical. A perfect place for chasing a ball as you walk along. If you are training your dog it is an opportunity maybe to get the long line out and do some recall training at the same time as creating extra bonding.

José Luis Alcaide: „Por supuesto que pintará más cuadros de playa, pero sin duda este conjunto de lienzos representa un jalon esencial en su carrera.“ in José Luis Díez, Javier Barón: Joaquín Sorolla, 1863-1923, 2009, S. 402.

2. Hauxley Nature Reserve

No words can express, the depth of her contentment, as she walks along the beach. As the waves lap against the shores, they create the rhythm of her life. Balmy breeze kiss, her sun-bronzed skin, and she wonders. Could there ever be a greater destiny, than to be born with love, For the treasures of the sea? Here, she is home.” Long walks on the beach are the supposed holy grail of a romantic evening. The beach becomes a kind of utopia – the place where all our dreams come true.” Willa is the sister to Harper and Sean and she also had the role of parent when her mother died when they were young. Their father is still alive but a part of him never survived their mother's passing which put the weight of the world on Willa's shoulders. After their mom died, Harper learned she had cancer and while she survived, the battle to beat it took an emotional toll on the family. Harper is emboldened and wants to take risks and live with no regrets. Enev though it's been years of remission for Harper, Willa can't seem to move forward. She is constantly worried and is putting her needs last. Harper is helping Willa with her business at a coffee shop and notices a male customer who seems to have eyes for Willa. Willa can't believe this as she sees Harper as the "beautiful" sister. Sean is attracted to Willa and can't seem to find the courage to ask her out until Harper forces the two to interact. The two admit their attraction from there and decide to see where this chemistry can lead them. Their courtship is very sweet and he wants her to know how beautiful she is and that he is "all-in" with their relationship.