by Joanie Butman
The warm, friendly greetings welcoming you back after a long winter
The peaceful silence of watching a beautiful sunrise with a hot cup of coffee
The rhythmic sound of the waves, whether they be gentle, rolling ones or angry, crashing ones
The patter of rain on the roof unmuffled by finished ceilings or insulation
The whistle of a tea kettle every morning at exactly 7:35
The morning paper hitting the deck
The screen door slamming
The bark of the neighbor’s dog
The seagulls and doves singing their own distinctive songs
The sweet tinkling of a wind chime blowing in the ever present ocean breeze
The irresistible sound of children giggling with delight
The easy, lazy conversations over a beer on the porch or a glass of wine at cocktail hour
The lively conversations of loved ones over a lobster dinner
Stories told, laughter shared
The soft, sleepy “I love you” as we drift off to sleep warm from the kiss of the sun on our skin, our hearts pleasantly full with the love of family and friends, our bellies full from the foods of summer.
The sad farewells at the end of the summer
These are the sounds of Long Beach
They are what make it such a special place that tugs at your heart all winter while you anxiously await the first signs of Spring calling you home.