I am currently on vacation in Montauk. Yesterday evening I was befriended by a very talkative nine year old girl at the pool. I was alone and no one was paying her any attention. I let her run down the rules of the pool and I listened to the history of her swimming abilities and her family. She was in awe of her older brother’s swimming prowess and was convinced he’d someday be in the Olympics. Before I left I challenged her to a race which I let her win. It seemed to make her day.

Later I seen her walking on her own around the grounds and when I asked her why she said “I like to walk the sand out of my shoes, but also, it’s good to spend some time on your own.”

Yes it is. I hope she remembers that when she gets older.