A Day at the "Beach"

A day at the beach.  I have often talked about what we take for granted in our western culture.  A day at the beach is one of them.  


In Lesotho, there are few places where children can run free without having to worry about stepping on rubbish, stones or glass, or tripping over rough surfaces.  There are no grassy parks or playgrounds where children can run and play.  In addition, within the culture here, a day at the beach or a day at the park with one's children is foreign to most families.  For those parents with the inclination, the rigours of life and financial limitations means most children do not know the joys of a day at the beach.


Recently we enjoyed a wonderful day at the beach with friends and their children.  We visited the same beach where not so long ago my quiet had been repeatedly interrupted by curious policemen.  This time we left the vehicles parked clearly in the open and attracted no unexpected attention.  


For me it was a delightful and heart warming time, watching children enjoy the simple joys of a day at the beach.  It didn't take the children long to abandon first their footwear, then their trousers.  There was water again in the river, muddy and brown from recent rains, and though they were a bit tentative of the river at first, once over their initial apprehension, they were leading the way.  And a long expanse of clean sand provided space for lots of fun and activity. 

Leading the way.
Three year old Bohlokoa showed no fear.

Shorty after this, the jeans came off!

Father and daughters.

They're off!!

The open sand.

Catch me if you can.

This is my favorite picture - little Bohlokoa in full stride.  The joy of the open 'road' - sand.  Nothing to impede her joy.  She was living her day to the full.  

Even now, I am still left with a warm feeling, thinking of the fun had, not just by the children, but by the adults.  (Out of the corner of my eye, I had witnessed one of the adults skipping and dancing along the sand beside the river).  This family had been given an opportunity to enjoy some openness and a clean place to just be and let their spirits smile.  We are blessed to be a blessings to others, but with the endorphins released, even now thinking of the fun this family enjoyed, I still think I may have been the most blessed.  

~ Benno ~

Acknowledgements:  One of Wendy's former students, BK, was along with us.  Most of the photos are to his credit, including the clouds below.

Clouds.