A riptide is a tide that opposes another or other tides, causing a violent disturbance in the sea. The war between tides occurs underwater, catching lazed beachgoers off guard and violently pulling them out into the deep for miles. Even the greatest swimmers panic and try to fight these violent waves to return to shore. They would lose. The ocean is both gentle and deadly.
This past February, I stood at the edge of the ocean in the middle of two opposing extremes – awe and agony. To my right the waves still kissed the sand; seagulls and sandpipers sang in a distance, and several dolphins jumped in and out of the water. They played together beneath the water and took turns appearing as if they were diving into the sun that was dipping into the ocean – bidding the day farewell in a graceful dance of colors – orange, pink, and red.
To my left, silent sirens swirled, police cars parked oddly on the sand, an older couple with their arms crossed paced back and forth, while four EMTs run with urgency into the water. They were knee deep, slouched over maneuvering something that required great lifting and pulling. So much so, their feet stuttered beneath them and slowly they pulled, arriving on the edge of the ocean with a white males body. There was no need for checking pulse, performing CPR or any of the procedures that are often detailed on television. The man was dead. Police and paramedics conversed. Then someone brought out a white sheet to cover the man’s body.
I was in the middle of two extremes: life and death.
To my right, there was the warmth of the sun.
To my left, there was a cold body without breath.
Just yesterday, six months after the body washed ashore, another man lost his life saving his daughter in a riptide. I can not imagine the magnitude of the love this young lady will feel when she understands her father’s sacrifice, but I also can not imagine the burden she will carry knowing that his life could have been longer, fuller and more. This young girl will forever be in the middle of two extremes: gratitude and grief.
If you are visiting the beach to soak up the last days of summer, please take with you these nuggets of wisdom. The ocean has a personality: it is both timid and tumultuous; kind and unforgiving. Because of this, someone faithfully changes the flag to ensure you are aware of the oceans temperament. They don’t do it to ruin your vacation. Instead, they do it to keep you and your family safe, and most importantly Alive!!! Red flags are stop lights on the beach. You don’t go zooming through a red light on the road without risking grave danger. You DON’T just go running into the ocean when there is a red flag.
Be Safe.
Kadine Christie
