Wow. I will never fully understand how nature works in these beautiful ways. This sunset was on March 5, 2022, at Corona del Mar Beach. I, my sister, and my mom all witnessed this beautiful moment in time while on a beach trip.
My full name is Shelby MacNeil. I am usually just called Shelby though. I am from Southern California; specifically Yorba Linda. Some hobbies and interests I have are reading, doing art, and cooking. The main motivation I have is keeping up good grades. Sometimes, I am a bit obsessive over my grades. One cool thing about me is that I can recite all 50 states in alphabetical order.
This has got to be one of my all-time favorite memories. I think about this one almost every day. Although this was a great memory, it still taught me a life lesson.
“Almost time to go. Pack up all your stuff!” My mom yelled from the other room.
Excited, I leaped up from my bed and grabbed my favorite sweatshirt. I scurried downstairs and laced up my shoes.
“Someone is excited,” my mom chuckled.
I jokingly nodded my head in agreement.
My sister ran down the stairs dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans.
“I think we are ready to get this show on the road!” my mom said, opening the front door.
Tick, tick, tick, tick. The turn signal on my mom’s car clicked. I looked out the window to see the sun, twinkling in the ocean. It was just after 5 P.M. We had some time to kill before the sun was going to set.
“Can we go get ice cream please?” My sister blurted.
“Fine, but just this once,” my mom said smiling.
“Alright! We are here!” my mom said as she opened the driver’s side door.
I stepped outside and walked across the street to a path that overlooked the ocean.
As soon as the sun started going down, I was in complete awe. Everything about the moment was perfect; the way that the colors in the sky mixed, the way the sun shimmered on the waves, and the clouds that looked as if they had been cotton candy. The whole scene looked as if it had been a masterpiece, painted by a highly praised painter.
The moment felt sublime, almost otherworldly. It was then that I realized you only have one life and that you have to use it well.
I guess that was when I started living life to the fullest. I still think in that mentality, and I am pretty sure I always will!
