It’s always been this way. The ocean has always been magical for me. First Hammonasset State Park on the Connecticut shore, then Revere beach north of Boston as a young professional in my 20s, and the one time we visited St. John’s in the Virgin Islands when the kids were little. It looked like Mt. Desert Island but without harsh winters. It felt like home.
Today I turned 66. The ocean still enthralls me. Sitting in our getaway cottage, “The Shag’s Nest,” outside of Yachats, Oregon, overlooking the massive Pacific, the sea shimmers. Waves roll in sporadically. As always. Maybe that’s why I love the sea; it changes yet it’s so dependable.
From childhood through 25 years of living in Southwest Harbor, Maine, the Atlantic sometimes roils up or freezes over in the coldest winters. But its behavior isn’t in anger or jealousy or because of any nasty habits. As Omar, my favorite character in “The Wire,” always said, “It’s how I do.” That’s what the ocean does.
Every year, if I’m anywhere near either coast, I have crabmeat for my birthday dinner. It’s how I do.
Tucson Writer Editor 
Happy seaside birthday!!
Happy Birthday, Sheila! this sounds like a lovely getaway.
Looking forward to celebrating with you in July –
Annie
And celebrating with you, Annie deah!
Happy Birthday Sheila!!!! Enjoy the crab!!!
Happy Birthday, Sheila! It sounds like a great way to celebrate your birthday. Looking forward to seeing you in Maine when you get here — we got here Tuesday, a week ago, it’s very lovely. Call when you’re here!
Lindy
Thanks Lindy! Very Mainelike here today. Wearing my Lucy Tracy wool scarf, drinking coffee, contemplating a hike in the rain. Mt. Desert Island and the Atlantic are much friendlier but seeing the ocean is always lovely. See you soon and we’ll set up a hike.
The ocean’s pull for you. The desert’s pull for me. How can such opposing habitats be so equally appealing? Happy Birthday!!
Thanks Harriet, how nice to hear from you! I did come from Southwest Harbor to the Southwest, Mt. Desert Island to the desert…so yes, I love the desert too. So lucky to have both in my life!