Simply Op

08/16/2026 Truth be told, I accidentally hurt my foot (toes) at the beach today. Being injured soured my mood to write fairly quickly. If only I had put my shoes back on to climb the rocks, I kept thinking (replay regret). So, here I am… making myself write anyway.

At the coffee shop this morning, I befriended a tiny energetic 2-year-old in line
Initially, he gave a little bit of a hesitance sign
So, I stomped my feet (left, right, left) to see if he would copy
(lol) He instantly mirrored me
That opened the door to showing off dance moves, speed, labeling (bagel, flower, dad car), and peek-a-boo
On my way out the door, his mom said, “He likes you”
The stare and wave goodbye, thankful for more than just my drink
A little attention goes a long way, I think

When I first arrived at the beach, I was surprised to find so many people already there
I went to the secluded cove, which I did eventually have to share
This bird was already at the scene, standing by a rock
Wondered if it made him feel safer, wave size shock

Then I wrote love in the sand with my right foot
Snapped a few pics before down my towel, I put

Not long after taking a seat, two men in wetsuits appeared
Attempt one going in, they paused, waves feared
Following a delay, man (1) decided to brave it
Man (2) stayed safely on land proximal to me for a bit
After a while man (1) yelled back to the shore, “You got to see this”
Giddy about a school of fish, the opportunity he did not miss
Man (2) took a deep breath and followed his lead
I tracked them in the ocean hoping they did not die, indeed
They picked the wrong “lifeguard” I thought
Save them, I can not
When they came out of the water, they both seemed re-energized
Eager to share about what they had seen, I realized
A listening ear, I extended as best as I could
Just happy they were both breathing and good

The video/photo shoot I had envisioned did not quite go as planned due to people around
So, I took a few and abandoned, presence found
Turned into photographer for three young girls, ensuring that no one was left out
They seemed appreciative without a doubt
Reminded me of hanging out with my fab-five friends as a kid
Some of the fun pics, the crazy things we did
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It was after climbing the rocks back to the other beach area that I really hurt my toe
Bleeding and in pain (shock), I decided to CVS it and go
You can see, though, that the day was not all bad
And for that, I will take a moment to be glad

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xoxo – Simply Op