Things I Loved Doing During Summer as a Child

Early-morning sun peeks above the horizon as humidity moistens my skin. The balminess hints at another hot day. I lie in bed and hear its call as it whispers my name, screaming for me to come. Its seductive lure is a lifelong enticement. It’s ingrained in every fiber of my being: the ocean.

I grew up near the ocean. Now, I am landlocked in the heart of the country. No matter. The sea still sings to me and makes me want. The beach is less a desire for me than a need. Those who grew up on a coast can attest to the same feelings. We can move away, but we must come near it time and again to infuse its life-force into our being. For me, it’s an almost yearly must.

I jump out of bed, throw open the sliding door, and take a deep breath of life. The cerulean and aqua ocean isn't just a thing to me; it's a living, breathing impetus. I am in awe of it and excited to be near it, always maintaining deep respect for its power to take life as well as give it.

Quickly, I dress and head across the street. The moment my bare feet hit the sand, I am grounded. As soon as my body is wrapped in its embrace, I am home. No other feeling compares to it for me. It’s comforting and calming, a sense of well-being no other vacation can offer me.

Here I am at rest. The world and its harsh realities do not exist here. Only I and the soothing sound that surrounds me remain. All is well, for this brief moment.

I go to Destin whenever I can. The beauty of Florida’s Gulf Coast is magical. I don’t plan anything. I don’t have any must-do or must-see lists. In Destin, I can just be. So few vacations give us that. Rest.

What I loved doing on summer vacation as a child now rejuvenates me in the grounding peace I find there. I have a sure-fire way to accomplish that every time. It’s a routine I swear by, and every time I go there, I do it. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I clear my head and refresh for another year of the grind. I let the ocean breathe new life into this tired body.

Published by No TIme on Medium, 2026

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