Contemplation

Today (29 April 2018) was nothing short of perfect, weatherwise, in Kommetjie. A stunner of an autumn day that only Cape Town can produce, with the lightest of southerly winds creating an offshore flow that flattened the sea, with the passing cold front pushing in a shore break of at least six foot. Expert surfers braved the Outer Kom and big breaks towards the lighthouse and some marvellous rides were observed by those enjoying a laze on the rocks or the occasional benches that line the path along the bay.
The benches have been either destroyed by storms over the years, or lately simply vandalised by unwelcome visitors, but there is now a trend of replacing them with indestructible recycled plastic in an aesthetically pleasing faux wood form, and local families have placed memorial plaques on some. This is, to me, one of the very best ways to be remembered, by seeing the name of an old friend and sitting down to join them in spirit, with one of the finest sea views in the world to be enjoyed for eternity. It is sad that there are already four of these plaques in memory of friends, and it is a reminder of our limited time on this planet and how we should live each day as if it is our last, with no regrets or missed opportunities, to be kind whenever possible, and most of all to treat ourselves with love and respect. The material things of life are as nothing when compared to the beauty of this place, and the things that cause us stress, unhappiness, anger and frustration are but fleeting moments of no consequence in the bigger picture of Life, if we would constantly remind ourselves of this. Sit down on one of these benches one day and watch the waves rolling endlessly onto the shore. You will feel it too.