Today it’s bright and sunny. The beach is not crowded, my blanket is not surrounded by chattering people. The sand is soft and incredibly white, the sea is a stunning, clear blue. The sky mirrors the ocean, with only a few puffy white clouds framing the blazing sun. I remembered my suntan lotion. I turn on my ipod, lean back on my towel, and prop my sunglasses on my nose.

Back then it was dark and windy. The sand was black underneath the brown surface and the sea was very dark. The waves were too high to swim in, though I couldn’t swim then either. I wore my little plaid sundress, and my parents laughed as I jumped through the sand, watching my footprints appear.

I had more fun back then.