Sitting on the beach in Punta Cana offers the most delightful opportunity to people watch as couples and families from all over the world come there for a week or two of rest and relaxation.
The People are interesting to watch:
– The children, oblivious to those around them, a implying enjoying the moment
– The young men and women trying to show off what they have as they walk up and down the beach, knowing they are in paradise but too aware of those around them to fully enjoy the moment they are in.
– The family that is so busy trying to capture their vacation on film (or by digital means) to watch later, that they miss the amazing moments of right now.
– The middle aged men and women who still see themselves as young, and dress that way, although they really shouldn’t.
– The elderly couples who know each other’s routine and needs, who have no worries, but simply enjoy the beauty around them.
As I watch this day after day, all around me, I find it interesting that it is the children and the elderly that enjoy the moment.
On this particular morning Alisa and I scored two lounge chairs under a thatched umbrella roof on the front row with an unobstructed view of the clear blue waves softly crashing on the beach, and the people walking by.
As I lay in my lunge chair watching the waves, an elderly man shuffled by my chair on the right, slowly making his way toward the water.
He stood in the surf as the waves brought the cool water of the Atlantic over his feet. He slowly inched his way into the surf. Once up to his waste he dives in as if he were 20 again and swims a few feet.
Perhaps his body’s ability reminds him of his age, or maybe he just wanted to finally get his whole body wet. Whatever the reason he stands waist high in the surf and allows the waves to flow over him as he faces the ocean.
He stands silently gazing at the horizon as if he is contemplating his future.
What is sad is that the world has given up on him and his peers, as if they offer nothing of value to the world. I can’t help but wonder what wisdom he could share with me, what stories he could regale me with.
His whole life is a lesson that others could learn from, if they would only listen.
As he walks back to his chair he passes by Alisa. “How was the water?” I asked. He only nodded and smiled; he spoke no English.
I lost out on any wisdom he could share; the curse of the Tower of Babel follows us to this day.
However, This experience made me realize that we all have a story to tell, wisdom to pass on, a purpose to fulfill, and a life to share.
You are never too young, too old or too busy to fulfill your purpose. You are God’s gift to those around you.
Don’t worry if some don’t want that gift; keep searching out those that do.
A life shared is never a wasted life.
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