As the coolness of the sea wraps around my feet, I lose myself in the pages of the book I’m holding. From the outside, it might look like peace… but inside, something keeps overflowing. Quiet, yet deep… As if each wave takes something away from within me, though I’m not sure what it’s leaving in return. I cling to the pages, because sometimes words are the only place where a person can find themselves. In this moment, there’s happiness… and a little longing too. Maybe some exhaustion, maybe acceptance. But above all… there’s the quiet peace that comes from being alone with oneself.