Claiming My Voice: From the darkness, the light emerges.

What motivates people?

Was he poor and this was his dinner?

Was it the end of his work day and this is how he unwound? …while feeding himself?

Was he having people over and this was a special thing he did for guests?

It had been raining for a couple of days on the coast. It made the waves and splashing beautiful. I lazily woke up from my nap to find the sun had emerged from behind the clouds. I quickly pulled on my wool sweater and grabbed the dog’s leash.

From my perch I could see him. The sun just opposite him so there were only silhouettes: Him and the seagulls that waited anxiously for his castoffs. As the tide came in he used his long stick to dig for clams. He had a small bucket and every hole he dug seemed to reward him with two or three clams. Periodically he would toss something aside and the gulls would jump away fighting for the treat.

He seemed so contented in his task. By his countenance, he seemed middle aged and fit. Watching him was almost meditative: Dig, dig, toss, step. Dig, dig, toss, step.

I wanted to go out and talk to him…Ask him the meaning of life…At least the meaning on his life just to get his take. I suppose he would talk about the things that make a person happy and feel purposeful. Maybe he’d speak of God or his children. Regardless, I am sure he’d say something that changed my view…broadened it. It is only by listening to others that we learn anything new.

Instead of going and talking to him, I peacefully sat and watched him and the tide and listened for the still small voice inside me, and in that moment, that was enough.