I sprawled on the chair in the family room, book in hand, feeling low-energy yet restless. From upstairs, a hum of voices floated down, punctuated by laughs and giggles. Addie and her friend, Kayla. Lydia was in her room, chatting online with her boyfriend. Kurt was at a meeting. Maybe we should go to the beach or do something, I thought idly. But I didn’t move.
A little bit later, Addie wandered downstairs and into the room. “Want to do something?”
“Well,” I said without much enthusiasm, “I was just thinking we could go down to the beach. It’s a little bit late, but it’s probably gonna be pretty down there.”
Addie floated the idea to Kayla and Lydia, and between the four of us we worked up some motivation and headed out. Half an hour later as we drove down the peninsula, we debated which part of the beach to visit. Should we go to the old fort where the seals sometimes fish and frolic? Or should we visit the state park portion where wide open expanses of beach invite long strolls?
“Well, I think it’s almost low tide, so we could walk out to Fox Island,” I suggested. “That could be fun. We haven’t done that in ages.”
“I don’t remember ever walking out to an island!” Lydia protested. Despite our detailed descriptions, she couldn’t remember it at all. That settled it. Fox Island it was.
We pulled into the lot and parked, opening the doors to temperatures in the high 60s and a lovely afternoon glow. We walked up the path over the dunes, and the beach unfolded before us. Fox Island lay directly ahead, the large sandy causeway clearly visible. Already the sun was heading down, spilling golden light upon the wet sand.
“Oh, it’s beautiful!” I sighed.
A few people wandered in the distance, silhouetted against sand or surf. Layers of mist obscured the shore line of islands and a distant light house. Over time, they drifted into the beach and then away again, veils hiding and revealing, in constant flux. Herring gulls strutted along the tide line, foraging, their reflections bright in the wet sand. 
The girls and I meandered along the beach, stopping to snap pictures, gradually heading out to the island. As the sun slipped lower, the light shifted as we walked. At times it was so golden it felt surreal, at others cooler and toned with serene blues and greys.
We reached Fox Island and the girls climbed ahead onto the rocks. I stopped to watch them and to soak in the scene around me. Their voices and laughter drifted back in the cool air. The waves tumbled and crashed and the sun continued its slow golden descent. The mist shifted and skimmed over the sand. I closed my eyes briefly, etching it all into memory, fully content and deeply moved.
This beautiful place. These beautiful girls. This beautiful moment.
How lovely life can be.
On Fox Island
view from Fox Island
The golden hour
My girls tracking hermit crabs
Nix the comfort zone 
Lovely, Molly. The time, the place, the light, the moment. All of it! Hope your week is off to a good start. So fun meeting you Saturday! 🙂
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It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is August 1st–gasp! I’m trying to hold tight to all these wonderful care-free summer moments. I’m so glad we crossed paths IRL–oops! The pic! The proof! Off to do that right now!
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Lovely moment. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Wish you could have been there, too!
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A golden moment you’ll always treasure. 🙂
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It was a golden moment, especially since my oldest daughter headed back to her home in Philadelphia shortly thereafter.
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That does make it extra special! Spontaneous moments are often times the best! I tried to find Fox Island on the map…but couldn’t.
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Your description is just beautiful. And this place- Fox Island – is too. Wow. What a great way to end a day.
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It was just gorgeous! I’m so glad we worked up the energy to go.
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Absolutely magical. You are blessed to be in Maine!! I love the picture of your girls tracking hermit crabs – such beautiful shadows.
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Thanks, Maureen. That’s my favorite picture, and I do feel blessed to live in Maine!
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You captured this moment beautifully- the landscape and the company. A snapshot in time.
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Thanks! It was a moment to hold onto and remember.
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Beautiful words and beautiful pictures that capture a beautiful slice of your life.
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Thanks, Adrienne!
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Just that push off the couch and magic for everyone…
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It would have been so easy to skip doing anything. It reminded me how rewarding that “push off the couch” can be!
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Thank you for sharing your picturesque writing and your pictures. Enjoy!
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Thanks! I’m hoping to fit in a few more beach visits before the end of summer!
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What a magical afternoon! Thank you for bringing us along!
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Family + Friends + Beach= Magic!
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This is lovely, Molly. I have a feeling that you will save this scene and use it in a book someday. Your writing transported me!
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Thanks, Laura!
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Family! Molly, you and Kurt have done well. The benefits on your focus on family will compound your dividends year after year! Congrats to the Hogan Five!
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Thanks, Dan! Your family is an inspiration!
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