Dad was in the ocean, half floating, half standing. Bobbing up and down as each wave came in, just enough to create a rocking sensation. The water’s spray had a salty taste to it and an occasional hint of fish on the breeze. The water foamed with small bubbles as it caressed the shore. Seashells and sand looking like a mosaic of pinks, tans and grays as the water receded each time.

Dad had his straw hat on to protect the top of his head from the heat of the August sun. Sunglasses shielded his eyes and made his face difficult to read. The only clue to what he was thinking was his smile, which gave away his mood. The water was cool in spots, then a warm current would roll through. Once in a while Dad’s toes would pierce the calm waters surface creating ripples in the waves as he regained his balance on the sand below.

Down the beach people were looking out into the ocean and pointing. Some were a little excited, others just watching curiously. There was a dark shadow slowly following the shoreline in the blue-green water. An occasional flip would rise above the water as the wave crested. I walked to the water’s edge. As I did, the shadow was between the shore and my Dad. He was now standing, the water up to his waist. The sun sparkled in the water drops dripping off of him. He was looking into the water with amazement and calm. He had a grin of understanding that he was experiencing something most people never would. Dad was standing in the middle of a school of sting rays. As they moved around, the rays would slip to the sides of him with the dark tips of their fins breaking the water’s surface as they changed direction and flew through the sea.

Dad stood there, taking in each second and enjoying just being part of that once in a lifetime moment. The rays continued on down the beach and Dad watched them as they disappeared around the point, just floating on the waves — his thoughts following them as they moved on.