National Wiggle Your Toes Day

National Wiggle Your Toes Day, celebrated annually on August 6th, is a delightful reminder to appreciate the small joys in life. Last year on this day my friends and I gathered at the Beach in White Rock and as we do sometimes, we started to reminisce about our childhood summers spent barefoot. It was a hot day, and no one was paying attention to a bunch of old men, sitting with the sun casting a warm glow on our faces. 

Larry, who has vascular dementia, but is a sprightly seventy-something, recalled how he used to chase fireflies in the evenings, feeling the cool grass tickling his toes with every step. He smiles as he shares his story with the group, his eyes sparkling with the joy of those carefree days. Inspired by his tale, we decided to recreate some of these moments of youthful exuberance.

We kick off our shoes and wiggle our toes in the sand, laughing as they feel the sand beneath our feet. The sensation brings back a flood of memories for each of us/ I talk about how I used to walk across a pebble-strewn creek barefoot, the cool water rushing over my feet as I tried to keep my balance. Nine times out of ten I lost my balance, but the water felt good on a hot day.

To add to the fun, we organized a series of activities. We started with a simple game of footsie tag, where the "it" person had to tag others by touching their toes. Laughter filled the air as we tried to evade each other, we thought our movements agile and spirited, just like in our younger days. I cannot imagine what the crowd of young parents thought, but many of the younger children watched and seemed to be enchanted by our movements.

Next, we gathered in a circle for a toe-tapping musical session. Someone brings out a harmonica, and soon, we are tapping our toes to the rhythm of old-time tunes. The music transports us back to summer dances and family gatherings, where the joy of being together was the highlight.

As the afternoon progressed, we settled down for a moment of relaxation. Lying on picnic blankets, we closed our eyes and felt the grass between our toes, the warmth of the sun, and the gentle breeze. This simple act of connecting with nature reminded us of the beauty in life's small pleasures.

To conclude the celebration, we moved to one of the local pubs on the front and enjoyed some fresh fruit, beer and lemonade. We shared stories and memories, each tale richer than the last. We were not aware that we were celebrating National Wiggle Your Toes Day but when I found out it transformed the day in my heart to a beautiful journey back in time, a celebration of youth and the enduring joy found in the simplest of moments.

My hope is that National Wiggle Your Toes Day can also rekindle the magic of your youth, proving that no matter how many years go by, the spirit of adventure and playfulness remains timeless.