Every morning, before the sun is even up, there is a group
of elders in the water. Same spot, same time, same people with some additions
and subtractions. The very first time I encountered them, I didn't see them. I
heard them first.
It was one of our regular beaches, known for its beautiful
sunrise and golden hour. I was walking with my dog, Locky, when I heard a song
coming from the sea's direction. It was not bath day for Locky, so he was on
the leash (otherwise he would play in the water). A wide stretch of sandy beach
lay between the path we were walking on and the ocean.
I saw a few heads, some with half a torso, floating in the
water (this sentence could be easily misunderstood). I needed to squint because
the sun was glaring and I was staring in its direction. We walked nearer and
parked our butts on the sand. We always took time to enjoy the sunrise, but
this was not our usual spot.
The sound continued to echo; it was indeed a song, a live
choir! It was sung by a group of older men, who were lounging around in the
shallow water between small fishing boats (the water here is calm with barely
any waves). Song after song, they sang their heart out.
That was more than a decade ago, and they are still doing
that. Some of them use a walking stick; some have an inner tube around their
waist to act as a float. There are around three to eight guys, sometimes more.
Every morning at dawn, without fail, they would gather at the same spot, sing
the same songs, and go about their days. I think it's a friendship forged over
time, over the enjoyment of simple daily blessings, to catch the sunrise, to
start the new day. Singing is very therapeutic, and what is better than having
a killer view to back it up?
I think it's awesome, and I want to be chill like them when
I grow up. Take time to enjoy simple things, and welcome the day with positive
attitudes. I hope I'll keep seeing them.
