Slice Of Life Story -The Lost Spirit of Cowabunga Days

As I sat on the beach yesterday I began to think about change....
There was a time when I would race across the broad stretch of sand and charge into the surf –fearless in the foaming waves; prepared for the impending plunge. I would dive into the on coming wave, embracing the sudden cold rush without hesitation. I was the embodiment of the Cowabunga spirit!  The embodiment of joy, happiness and surprise. I dashed, splashed and crashed with the best of them. Well, that spirit evaporated fairly quickly. I’m not sure what happened to it actually. Maybe it was the natural progression from the bravado of youth to the measured machinations of adulthood?  Maybe the spirit of Cowabunga just drifted out with the tide?

I do know it’s gone. These days I take a more leisurely approach to entering the surf. I sit on the beach under my umbrella observing the state of the waves. I lather on sunscreen and conduct a quick poll of the numbers already swimming. I consider the sky, the strength and direction of the breeze, and the temperature of the day.

In time I walk slowly to the shoreline to dip a tentative toe in the water to gauge the temperature. If my test proves positive, I accept the invitation to undertake a full body immersion.

I walk slowly into the water –ankles, knees waist deep. I immerse my wrists in the water and allow my body to adjust to its watery environment. The wind whips up the waves and I stand taller and involuntarily shudder as the plimsoll line is broached. The operation is complete when I take the final plunge into the approaching waves. Sudden, dramatic, cooling bracing- I’m in and under –at one with the wetness.

The ceremony is complete. The freshness of the water revives and refreshes. It amuses my grandchildren. They never got to see me in my Cowabunga days. My expressions of joy and happiness are still apparent, just a little less physical these days.


Comments

  1. Darlene A.31 January 2012 at 23:30

    Great post! I think we all slow down as we grow older. We reflect and observe more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BK31 January 2012 at 23:56

    Morning Alan,
    I don't know about you but I embrace the slow down... I relish the moments of reflection...I want everything to slow down as I watch my parents in their 90's holding on and hanging in...
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  3. elsie1 February 2012 at 01:17

    I love the description and comparison of today and the cowabunga days. It sounds like the current days are just as much fun as previous days, just different.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Deb Day1 February 2012 at 07:20

    Cowabunga days...love it. Slowing down as we grow older is nice. But every once in awhile, I have to relive my youth. For me it is riding the roller coaster once a summer...and once is all I can handle. But I still get that throw back memory!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Linda B1 February 2012 at 08:08

    I love that term 'Cowabunga' & haven't heard it used in a long while, but it says much about the differences between the young & the old. However, I took my grandson to the ocean last summer & we did quite a few 'cowabungas' into the water. I can no longer throw myself on the ground as he does with abandon, but I can still leap into the water. Thank you for talking about the changes, because they are certainly appearing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ruth Ayres2 February 2012 at 04:00

    I look forward to reading your slices, and once again I'm glad to have clicked over to your little space in the cyberworld. Slowing down is something I think it takes some time to embrace. Your slice makes me want to take the time. :)
    Ruth

    ReplyDelete

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