April 5, 2017 Reflection

By Emma Bartley

My family, friends, and I are currently on our spring break at a beach in Florida. This evening, we decided to go out to the water to watch the sunset and play in the waves. This day, however, the waves were especially strong.

My sisters, friends, and I stepped out into the water. The shells scraped our heels and the sand tickled our toes. The water was shockingly cold and smelled strongly of salt. My senses were overwhelmed by the presence of the ocean.

The first wave that came to our feet was small and I laughed as I hopped over the water. I didn’t see the second wave, though. It was much larger than the first and easily overtook me.

I fell to my feet as the water washed over me and the salt went into my eyes. I was the first one to fall in my group of friends.

My sister looked at me and giggled. She yelled to my sisters and friends. “Look, it knocked Emma over!” I was embarrassed and retreated into myself and my own thoughts.

I stood up and moved forward, more carefully this time. I watched my step and beat against the powerful waves that continually pushed me backwards. Another wave came forward, and I leapt over it. The water washed past me and under me, but it did not push me down. Lost in my own thoughts, I whispered to myself,

Though she be but little, she is fierce.

My mantra. The words that I say to myself when I feel embarrassed, worthless, or weak. I slowly smiled. I jumped over that wave! Salt did not burn my eyes, and water did not fill my nose. I thought to myself, I was able to jump over a wave. Just for a moment, I was stronger and more powerful than nature.

I started off the night in the ocean very roughly. I was the first to fall, and over a fairly small wave, compared to the ones that followed. But I fought on. I soon was leaping through the ocean, deeper and deeper into the water. Soon, I was the farthest out, even though I was one of the shortest! I was hopping over wave after wave, no fear in my mind.

After about forty-five minutes in the water, we walked back onto the beach and dried off. I was smiling to myself, though no one truly knew why.

Today, I was doing something really simple and insignificant, but I drew something very special out of it. I felt powerful and like I could do anything.

Though I be but little, I am fierce.