by Judy Voss
The beach at noon.
Blinding sun ignored by children building sandcastles.
Nearby parents reading magazines.
My husband and his parents are with his sister’s family,
posing, playing, and laughing.
Caught in special moments, eating ice cream cones and hot dogs from food trucks,
creating important memories.
All captured in family photos, displayed in the heart of the home
on the playroom credenza.
Missing from the photos: the sound of waves, the smell of sunblock,
the taste of beach food, reoccurring tensions, brutal words spoken softly,
hurting more than shouting.
Photos without me.
Coincidence? I think not.
I get the picture.
© 2026 Judy Voss All rights reserved.
Click or tap here to see Judy Voss’s profile.
Use the “Leave a Comment” form below to share comments on this piece.