A coupe of weeks ago my friend Kat texted me and asked if I, along with our friend Miranda, wanted to go paddle boarding with her. My first initial thought was that I was tired and wasn’t sure if I had work, but a few seconds my FOMO kicked in, as did the urge to try something new.
So the next day Kat, Miranda and I set out on the still water of the bay, navigating through the grid of boats. They teetered back and forth as the waves sloshed around them. The sky was fluffy with clouds and in the distance, the bright sun peaked through.
Kat was standing on her board in a matter of minutes due to her years of practice, while I watched anxiously from my seated position on my board as I questioned her on how to stand. A few minutes later I was paddling on my knees, contemplating how I should make the next move to my feet. I kept hesitating. And waiting.
Then I started thinking- what’s the worst that could happen? I’d fall in the water, right? Which is exactly what happened two seconds later when I got the courage to plant both feet- not very firmly, I may add- on the board. The water enveloped me under its surface. It was cold and bubbly and awakening. I resurfaced quickly, thanks to my life jacket, and I laughed, pulling myself back onto the board. The next time I stood, I stayed standing.
I just kept looking around at the water and the boats and the sunset and my friends, realizing how beautiful life is; all these whimsical things collected into this one moment. The sunset was truly beautiful- all pink and orange and blue, reflecting on the water’s surface.
We were on the water for a few hours, talking and laughing. I felt so proud of myself for doing something new and different, but I was also wondering why I had never done this before.
I’m not sure why this particular event is so stuck in my mind. I just remember watching the sun set, standing on the paddle board and thinking, I have to write about this. Maybe it was the beauty of trying something new. Maybe it was being with my friends, or looking at the breath-taking view. Either way, I just want to do it again.
- Evangeline
