Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Just like that it's over

My son Noah has been lifeguarding since he was in high school.
He's now 30 and has a 2 1/2 year old son of his own. On Labor Day
night he wrote a brief note on his facebook page, it read "just like
that it's over". Noah was referring to summer I think but I'm not
sure. Labor Day marked the end of the season and maybe,
after many years, the end of his lifeguarding. Who knows if he'll
be back next year, I kind of doubt it. His post really struck a chord
in me and got me thinking.

We'd just had 3 days of great surf courtesy of Hurricane Earl, days
of building expectation, and by Monday night "just like that it was over".
Hours of all manner of waves, and even a few barrels gone in what
seemed like an instant. The thing about riding a wave or getting tubed
is "just like that it's over". A wave really only lasts but a few seconds
but can stay with you a lifetime.

As I age I have come to realize that "just like that it's over" refers to
almost all aspects of life and even our own lives here during our
"human experience". Life, like surfing a hurricane, doesn't last
forever and can offer many varied opportunities and experiences.
Just remember it goes by quickly so make the most of it because
"just like that it's over".