Lessons about navigating the ocean, and life, from my daughter

I hadn't intended to write this piece, but with age comes a certain willingness to take risks.

The ebb and flow of the ocean waves have always struck me as something soothing, reassuring even, and relaxing to watch. My youngest daughter seems to echo this sentiment.

From the time she took swimming lessons, with me nervously watching as a lifeguard helped her learn how to kick her feet and use her arms to propel forward, my daughter loved the water. To this day, whenever springs gives way to summer, and the sun lingers in the sky, she wants to swim.

Her favorite place to swim, without a doubt, is in the ocean. As soon as her feet touch sand, she asks repeatedly if I can take her in the water. I usually tell her she must wait until I apply suntan lotion to both of us, and she waits, at first, patiently; and then will say with more ferocity, "I want to go in the ocean!"

The ocean, with waves that at times seem calm, and at other times appear choppy, is a metaphor I think of life for my daughter, who is getting closer to becoming a teenager.

I worry for my daughter, but my worry is not always the same as the worry that other parents may have for their children.

My daughter is autistic and struggles to make friends. She can become frustrated when she cannot always convey her thoughts and feelings to others.

Yet, in the ocean, she is mainly content, happy to go to a place where she can laugh and be free to be herself.

I worry about her, too much, I'm afraid; but love to see her happy, joyful and exuberant.

No where do I see her happier than when she is in the ocean.

I am trying to live life with a sense of wonder, excitement, appreciation and utter joy; in the same manner that my daughter does each day.

I often reflect on my daughter and her trips, throughout the years, to the ocean -- how she laughs at the waves that approach us, how she always asks to go out as far as she possibly can.

I hope to live life more like she does -- in a manner that is carefree, bold and meaningful.