06/21/2026
One of my favorite New England beaches with my sweet family.
Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester.
I’d be lying if I told you beach days were a breeze for me. I do a lot of praying through the hard and uncomfortable and usually want safe friends and my husband around. But I love the beach, it’s a very tangible and intentional opportunity for me to find the lovely.
I think it’s a normal mom response to want to keep your kiddos safe. For most, that’s simply making sure they don’t wander too far out or away. But when we had Cade and beaches became places he needed to take his prosthetic legs off, “the keeping him safe” extended to careless words or mean scrutiny. For the most part, it is simply curious kids wanting to understand what they are seeing. And there’s nothing wrong with being curious. We welcome questions. I think sometimes it’s the scrutiny without engaging dialogue that is most tricky to navigate. Prosthetics are interesting and uncommon. But there is a point, loitering and stares cross from being friendly to feeling uncomfortable. Especially when he’s just a kiddo wanting to play unencumbered by the sea. Sometimes as a momma, you just want to curl up in a chair with a book and not have to be on your game. And I think sometimes I’m just more sensitive depending on the week. Today there was lots of lovely and I’m thankful for that. Because I love this beach. I suppose it’s easy to see people through these tiny screens and forget that everyone has a something…a something they battle—fears, insecurities, internal wrestling matches. People are complex and lovely. Be kind and find the lovely.
