Change and the Waves

There are a few places where I really enjoy being and one of them is outer part of Cape Cod. The absolute opposite end of Massachusetts from where I call home its terrain is so much different, the light is so much brighter the breezes off the ocean are so constant. The waves are noisy but as soothing as the sound of the wind. The sands are always changing with each wave and each tide.

Yes, my perspective is that of a visitor, though a visitor for many more decades than I prefer to count. It’s probably similar to those who come to the Berkshires and experience life only on vacation and glow about how carefree life must be not have to with the mundane frustrations of finding nearby employment not being able to spend as if you were on vacation and the choices urbanites take for granted. Yet because I live in a place that also has many second home owners and where it springs to life in the summer, where you have to drive distances for things and have the challenges and delights of tourists. So I can appreciate the Cape from a different place, though our idea of tourist traffic is keeping away from Tanglewood on concert day, not the more constant crush of people every day.

This year as we only had a couple of days to visit we had the traditional things we do as a family, places we return to but always add something new. One of my traditions is getting up early (which is normal for me) and being down by the beach walking or running. It isn’t always the same beach, the choice is made once I get in the car. What I have noticed in these times is how differently change is measured. In the hills and in the woods we are very seasonally focused, for very obvious reasons. At the beach, which here I distinguish from the Cape as an area, change seems measured with almost every wave and every tide. Sand shifts, rocks move, some dunes have eroded, new channels are carved – the changes are so subtle but when you aren’t used to them you notice them. This time I noticed much change but it was all so minor on its own that it felt similar and not at the same time.

I guess that is the way it is with most change. It depends on your perspective, it depends on how close up you are to it or not. If you are able to step back you can see the progress of change. Not necessarily all good, but the progression just the same.

So I leave that place too soon, but with lots of perspective and thoughts and pockets full of rocks which I will write about soon. Seeing change is about slowing down to notice, changing perspective to see.