Four years ago I had the joy of traveling to Florida for my brother Randy’s wedding. It was a wonderful celebration, with lots of Disney elements which is perfect for the couple that goes to Walt Disney World a few times each month (yes, I’m incredibly jealous). During the trip I had to spend time each day working on a major project that was due for school upon my return to Oregon. But I just had to fit in a trip to the beach. Florida in October demanded that my toes touch sand.

But God of course has a sense of humor so rather than a sunny day, my beach visit was in the midst of a downpour.

And it turned out to be one of the best times I’ve ever had at the beach.

Other than the few life guards, settled under their chair umbrellas, I was the only person on the beach. This Oregon Girl had flow too far, and was avoiding too much homework, to not be outside. For the half hour that I walked the sand, only my footprints were visible and only my voice could be heard. The rain was protecting me from other tourists, similar to the blanket that protects a child from monsters. I felt safe…

and soaked. By the time I had walked from my car to the ocean’s edge, I was drenched from hood to socks. The great thing about being soaking wet, is there is nothing to lose. I walked in the waves up to my knees, feeling warmer thanks to the current. Thanks to the wise packing of spare clothes in the car (just in case I got wet in the ocean, LOL), I had a safety net in place. I splashed in the ocean, and laughed imagining what the life guards might be thinking.

It was just a short visit to the beach, since I couldn’t pull out a book and didn’t have any water toys, but absolutely worth the commute.

It was, quite literally, peace in the midst of a storm.

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#52sparks is my year-long writing series based on an art prompt challenge. The title is inspired by a quote from Star Wars: The Last Jedi: “We are the spark, that will light the fire that’ll burn the First Order down” (Poe Dameron). The spark that lights a fire to toast a marshmallow or to ravage a forest begins in the space of an inch. So just imagine what hundreds of inches and words can do.