The swell seemed bigger, and the ocean did too as we got closer. The rawness of such a wilderness is above and below you. Your ability to immerse yourself in it…is endless.

Mustering some grace, we slipped into the water. Instantly, the world changed. We started to move with the water, rather than over it. The spectacle below, through our masks, was mesmerizing. Swooshing and gurgling sounds filled my ears as I bobbed face down, breathing slowly and staring into the gradient.

Each time we dove, we did so with hope. The challenge and thrill of hunting underwater were evident on our faces each time we emerged. Our eyes were filled with camaraderie, exhilaration, and exhaustion. We saw a few big fish that day and were grateful for all that we brought back, including a small meal.

As the morning ended, I noticed something inside of me, like it was in my bones. A feeling of ease and knowing. The memory of being connected to something. Something as old and deep as the ocean. To a process that is woven into humanity as anything else is.