An Insignificant Detail
Today, something insignificant happened, but it made me feel very good.
I went swimming at the beach, where there was a group of university students who arrived almost at the same time as I did. We were the only ones on the beach. I took off my clothes (all of them) and went into the water, as I usually do. The young people entered the sea, some a little before me and others a bit later. We swam the same route, about 1 km, but I swam faster than they did. I got out of the water, dried off, and lay down to sunbathe. They came out of the water in small groups. Then, without minding my presence, they started to play around, throwing stones into the sea.
After sunbathing for a while, I got dressed. They got ready to leave the beach almost at the same time. Since they were closer to the exit, they walked ahead of me, about 50 meters away.
Suddenly, I found a glove on the path, which had fallen from one of them. I picked it up, hurried to catch up with them, and when I got closer, I shouted, "Hey, guys!" They turned around, and I showed them the glove. After a brief discussion among themselves, a young woman approached me and said, "It’s mine."
I handed it to her, she thanked me, hurried back, and rejoined her group.
That's all.
I wonder why such an insignificant detail made me feel so good. It wasn’t just about returning the glove; it was the naturalness of the whole interaction. Despite being naked, as is my habit at the beach, there was no discomfort or awkwardness—just a simple and respectful exchange. It was a small reminder that nudity, when lived naturally, doesn’t have to be an obstacle to kindness and human connection.
A moment to reflect.
I went swimming at the beach, where there was a group of university students who arrived almost at the same time as I did. We were the only ones on the beach. I took off my clothes (all of them) and went into the water, as I usually do. The young people entered the sea, some a little before me and others a bit later. We swam the same route, about 1 km, but I swam faster than they did. I got out of the water, dried off, and lay down to sunbathe. They came out of the water in small groups. Then, without minding my presence, they started to play around, throwing stones into the sea.
After sunbathing for a while, I got dressed. They got ready to leave the beach almost at the same time. Since they were closer to the exit, they walked ahead of me, about 50 meters away.
Suddenly, I found a glove on the path, which had fallen from one of them. I picked it up, hurried to catch up with them, and when I got closer, I shouted, "Hey, guys!" They turned around, and I showed them the glove. After a brief discussion among themselves, a young woman approached me and said, "It’s mine."
I handed it to her, she thanked me, hurried back, and rejoined her group.
That's all.
I wonder why such an insignificant detail made me feel so good. It wasn’t just about returning the glove; it was the naturalness of the whole interaction. Despite being naked, as is my habit at the beach, there was no discomfort or awkwardness—just a simple and respectful exchange. It was a small reminder that nudity, when lived naturally, doesn’t have to be an obstacle to kindness and human connection.
A moment to reflect.
61-69, M
