As I bid farewell to summer, I reminisce about one of the only times I got to breathe the ocean air this season. In June, my fiancé’s family and I vacationed in Venice, Florida. We visited two beaches: Siesta Key Beach and Venice Beach. Siesta Key Beach has been ranked one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States; Venice Beach is known for shark teeth and shells washing up on the shore.

One of my hobbies is I take sand as a souvenir from new beaches I visit. I craft it into a memory: something meaningful to my experience. Below, you will see my newest creation: Solitude.

Solitude is made from the pure quartz sand of Siesta Key, and a shark tooth and shells from Venice. It represents life at ease. Summer’s long days and vibrant activities can take one’s focus away from oneself. Solitude reminds one of nature’s beauties and helps one refocus life on what matters most.

As we bid farewell to summer, take a moment to reflect on what you did this season; take a moment to listen to the crickets before they stop singing. Although the days will get shorter, there is still plenty of time to spend outside. Use that time to do the things that put you at ease.

What will you cherish from the summer? Share your memory in the comments section.

P.S. A note for beachgoers: be mindful of the souvenirs you take from the beach. In most places, taking a little bit of sand isn’t a crime. Although, taking life away from anything living is. Respect the ocean for what it is and the pleasures it brings. Our ecosystem cannot exist without it.