Courage Of The Stars

Standing on the shores of Secret Beach, Oregon, beneath the vast night sky, I find solace in the rhythmic melody of the waves, their cadence harmonizing with the contemplative lyrics of Sleeping at Last's "Saturn." The ocean whispers its ancient tales, and the cool night air carries a quiet reverence. In this sacred solitude, thoughts of my dad envelop me, his voice echoing in my mind as the stars shimmer with an almost sentient glow.

"You taught me the courage of stars before you left, how light carries on endlessly, even after death."

The words resonate deeply as I gaze at the celestial expanse above. The cosmic metaphor becomes tangible, the twinkling stars mirroring the enduring essence of his teachings. My dad, a man whose soul resonated with the sea, had once explained the infinite with such eloquence. Now, as the waves roll in and recede, they bring with them fragments of his wisdom, timeless and unyielding.

With each breath, the lyrics weave a poignant narrative, painting the beauty of existence as my dad once did. "With shortness of breath, you explained the infinite and how rare and beautiful it is to even exist." The ocean, vast and unfathomable, stretches before me like a mirror reflecting his words. It was here, by the water, that he found peace, and standing on these rugged shores, I feel the ineffable connection to the legacy he left behind. The night sky and the sea become a bridge between the tangible present and the intangible realm of cherished recollections.

The rocks beneath my feet, worn smooth by the eternal embrace of the tides, cradle not only my presence but also the weight of nostalgia. I recall the stories my dad shared—of sailing into the horizon, of losing and finding himself in the rhythmic embrace of the ocean. The memories of those moments by the water, where he reveled in the beauty of the sea, now merge with the rhythmic waves lapping at the shore. It is as if the ocean itself carries echoes of his laughter, his tales of seafaring adventures dancing upon the breeze.

As I stand upon the rocks of Secret Beach, the vastness of the sea and sky envelop me in a cosmic embrace. The waves, cloaked in darkness yet kissed by moonlight, become a hypnotic force, drawing me deeper into the heart of the universe. I yearn to hear his voice once more, to feel his presence beside me. "I'd give anything to hear you say it one more time, that the universe was made just to be seen by my eyes."

And in this moment, I understand. Secret Beach is not just a place; it is a sanctuary where memories intertwine with the cosmic dance, where the beauty of existence is magnified by the echoes of his words. The ocean, eternal and boundless, carries his spirit in its depths. With every wave that kisses the shore, with every star that graces the sky, I carry forward the legacy of his love for the sea, anchoring it deep within the depths of my own soul.