Sea Glass

My son and I spent the last day in the city of Boston doing very un-city like things. We took a ferry to an almost deserted island and hung out at the beach. I felt like it was a life I would like if it came with a place to sleep and my cat, Lucy.

Spectacle Island is part of the National Park system and is a drumlin–a glacial hill chain in the Boston Harbor. Originally the drumlin was shaped like two hills adjoined by a thin strip of land resembling a pair of spectacles.

At first the islands were inhabited by Native Americans, but over time the island became industrialized with a rendering plant and then the Boston dump. For sixty years the city trash was barged to the island, and abandoned. Refuse seeped into the Boston Harbor and methane fires burned near the water.

When Boston built an underground highway, the dug up soil was taken to cap the landfill and reclaim the island. Vegetation was planted. Trails were built and people once again could enjoy a nice get away from the city.

Shayne and had the beach to ourselves. He braved the cold water while I marveled at all the sea glass. I picked through the rocks and shells gathering a large pile of it to photograph.

Sea glass is magical to me. It is rounded and smoothed in the waves and finding a single piece feels like treasure.

On the way back to the city, Shayne told me he had a good time and gave me one those rare smiles that reminds me of the boy who could turn a stick into a sword and stalk off to slay a dragon.

Sometimes I wonder if taking my son on trips is a good idea. The planes. The crowds. The days the voices decide to join our adventures. It isn’t easy and takes away some of my spontaneity and freedom, but at the same time, I know deep down I giving him memories that are joyful.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I know his battle the voices isn’t imaginary. I don’t know how to fix it for him, but maybe one of those moments of joy will be a like a piece of sea glass for him. Something he can hold on to, marvel at, and weather him through the storms.