One early morning, our family woke up very early because we were going to the sea. The air felt cool and fresh, and the sky was still a little dark. We packed our things like nets, pails, and baskets. Everyone was so excited, especially Mom, because she wanted to eat fresh seafood.The sun started to rise while we were on our way. It looked beautiful and bright in the sky. When we reached the sea, the tide was low, and the rocks were shining under the morning sunlight. The sound of the waves made me feel calm and happy. It was a nice day to catch fish and explore the shore.
Mom told us to help look for shells, fish, and crabs. My siblings and I walked on the rocks and looked between them. We saw many small fish swimming in the clear water. Some crabs were hiding in the sand, and there were colorful shells scattered everywhere. Mom and Dad used a small net to catch fish while we looked around happily.The sea was so pretty that morning. The water sparkled under the sunlight, and we could see seaweeds moving gently with the waves. We heard birds flying above us and the sound of the wind blowing softly. It felt peaceful, like nature was singing.
We also saw something very special—a blue starfish resting on a rock. It was so bright and pretty that we couldn’t stop looking at it.
After a while, we caught a lot of seafood! There were bangus (milkfish), danggit (rabbitfish), small crabs, and many beautiful shells. Mom smiled so wide because she was so happy. She said we could cook some of them when we got home and dry the small ones to make dried fish. Everything in the sea looked magical and full of life.
After spending hours by the sea, the sun became hotter, and we started to feel tired. We decided it was time to go home. It was a fun and successful morning. When we got home, Mom told us to help her sort the seafood. We washed the fish and shells carefully.
The big fish and crabs were for cooking, while the small fish we decided to dry under the sun. We spread them nicely on a net and placed them outside where the sunlight was strong. The smell of the fish drying in the morning air reminded me of my grandparents’ place in the province. It smelled like home and happy memories. Mom said, “Soon, these will become dried fish or bulad, and it will be yummy when fried.” I could already imagine eating it with rice and spicy vinegar it’s one of our favorite foods at home.
My favorite part was when my little sister found a small crab and proudly showed it to me. She said, “Ate, take a picture of me with my crab!” She smiled so big while holding it up with her hand. We all laughed because the crab was tiny but cute. She was so proud of her little catch. It was such a happy and funny moment that I will never forget. While we were waiting, Mom started cooking the fresh seafood we caught. The smell of the food made us all hungry. There was fried bangus, grilled fish, and shells cooked. The taste was so good fresh and full of flavor! We all sat together, laughing and talking while eating. The food tasted extra special because we caught it ourselves.
We rested and talked about our morning adventure. It made me realize that the best memories are made from simple things. We didn’t need to go to fancy places or spend a lot of money to be happy. Just being together as a family, enjoying nature, and helping one another made the day perfect. That morning by the sea taught me how beautiful life can be when we appreciate simple moments. I felt thankful for the sea, the sky, and my family. I learned that happiness doesn’t always come from big things it can come from a small crab, a shiny shell, or a simple meal shared with love.
I will never forget our morning by the sea. It was a day full of laughter, love, and memories that I will always keep in my heart.