Picking up after Trashy People
Those who come to enjoy a place and leave their trash behind
Sasha and Sean had been enjoying their first sunrise beach stroll of the New Year after a hearty country breakfast at the Lumina Pier’s Grill. The couple was walking along the packed sand close to the water because navigating with her crutches was easier there for Sasha. To help work off their extra helping of pan bread, the young couple had ventured farther down the beach than usual.
There, at the south end of the island, the water in the inlet was just beginning to sparkle with the light of the rising sun. The ocean waves thumped a steady beat against the rocks of the jetty, filling the cool morning air with a fresh sea aroma. The spray left on her lips tasted of the salt water surrounding Sasha’s island home.
Sand pipers and plovers scurried here and there at the water’s edge, looking for their breakfast, while gulls screeched overhead and a few pelicans circled offshore, hoping for a shoal of baitfish to appear.
Sean stopped short, and when Sasha turned to ask him why, she noticed his face was dark red and his jaw was clenched. She followed the direction of his gaze until she saw the pile of trash at the edge of the dune.
The source of Sean’s ire was a plastic shopping bag overflowing with snack bags, empty beer cans, and plastic 6-pack rings. He shook his head and swore.
“Some people are such damn slobs. Don’t they know that stuff can kill the animals?”
Since it was New Year’s morning, the beer cans and cigarette butts were evidence of someone having held their New Year’s Eve party on the beach. Someone who hadn’t bothered to clean up after themselves.
Sean stomped over to the pile and stuffed the trash into the grocery bag. He turned to Sasha.
“I’ll be right back.”
Taking off at a run, he carried the bag 50 feet to the trash can next to the shelter at the end of the boardwalk leading to the parking area.
Sasha leaned against her crutches and watched him. She shared Sean’s love of the beach and his indignation when people trashed it the way those partiers had.
©2024, 2025 DW Davis All Rights Reserved
There's no excuse for trashing nature up. I always get disgusted by that, too. My hat's off to Sean for helping out.
This description is both gentle and powerful. It not only depicts the beautiful seaside scenery in the morning, but also highlights the importance of environmental protection. Sasha and Sean's reactions are real and moving. Their anger comes from love, and their actions reflect a sense of responsibility. In this fast-paced era where people are used to throwing things away, I hope we can all be like them, not only appreciating the beauty of nature, but also protecting its purity. Thank you for using such a story to remind us that loving a piece of land starts with picking up its trash