Birthday Sea
When you walk down the street and see the colorful shells on the roadside stalls when you sit in your room and see the shiny pearl necklace given to you by your friends
When you walk down the street and see the colorful shells on the roadside stalls when you sit in your room and see the shiny pearl necklace given to you by your friends; when you taste the seafood and eat the abalone hot pot, what do you think of?
It was brilliant, and this series of scenes has left a deep imprint in my heart.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!" Aunt got a birthday cake from somewhere, and I suddenly remembered that it was my birthday! "Make a wish!"
We were barefoot, eating cake and strolling on the wet soft beach, it was a wonderful feeling!
I played with the waves, I raced with the ocean. Soaking up the soft sunshine, listening to the cheering waves, and letting the waves throw themselves into my arms, all made me feel incredibly comfortable.
Do you want to know what I wished for? Let me tell you! I wish this sea can spend my future birthday with me, I named it "birthday sea", this will be my birthday sea!
I liked the flora and fauna in the sea, the pearl shells under the sea, and the sailing yachts on the sea. In short, I loved everything about the sea. I longed for the day when I could see the sea with my own eyes.
Last summer, I saw the long-lost sea, the most meaningful one in my life.
Last year's summer vacation, I went to my sister-in-law's house in Shenzhen as a guest. By chance, I saw my sister-in-law and cousin planning something, but the key phrase I heard. They were going to the beach to play. I secretly laughed out loud in my mind, proud that I had heard this super powerful good news. Every day I looked forward to my sister-in-law taking me to see the sea sooner.
However, after some days, the joy was muted. I had a new suspicion in my mind, could it be that my sister-in-law was not going to take me to the sea, or was she just talking about it and not going to act on it? The more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became, and I didn't even dare to think about it anymore. Time can wash away everything, and such things, perhaps I have forgotten.
One day, my sister-in-law cheerfully claimed to take me to buy clothes, I said my mother bought me a lot of clothes ah, no need, right? Aunt said mysteriously, go and you will know.
"Hey, isn't that the way to buy clothes?" I asked curiously.
"It's closer this way." Aunt perfunctory sentence.
On the way, the odor and stifling heat of the car made me a little uncomfortable, and unconsciously, I leaned my head on my sister-in-law's shoulder and fell asleep. A cool breeze eventually woke me up, dazed and confused, I rubbed my eyes, "Ah, the sea!" I thought I was dreaming, and a cool sea breeze blew over, so it was the sea. The beach on the shore, crawling with a few small turtles.
Layer after layer of the tide came, snow-white waves lapping towards the shore, a "pop" sound. There was also some fragmented foam along the rocks, which looked like a good match. In the distance, where the water and sky are connected, a few seagulls flew in, and the blue sky was reflected in the deep seawater, which has a special flavor. The sea was sparkling as if many luminous pearls were rising and falling, illuminating the entire sky. It was brilliant, and this series of scenes has left a deep imprint in my heart.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!" Aunt got a birthday cake from somewhere, and I suddenly remembered that it was my birthday! "Make a wish!"
We were barefoot, eating cake and strolling on the wet soft beach, it was a wonderful feeling!
I played with the waves, I raced with the ocean. Soaking up the soft sunshine, listening to the cheering waves, and letting the waves throw themselves into my arms, all made me feel incredibly comfortable.
Do you want to know what I wished for? Let me tell you! I wish this sea can spend my future birthday with me, I named it "birthday sea", this will be my birthday sea!
When dusk was approaching, the sun was immersed in the distant sea, a few seagulls flew through the sun, the sea was flooded with silver, and the shells we picked up on the beach were even more dazzling.
"Goodbye, sea! I'll come back to see you again!"
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from DelorisPowers and writers in Earth and other communities.
Europe Draws a Red Line on Greenland After a Year of Trying to Pacify Trump
For nearly a year, European leaders walked a diplomatic tightrope. They tried calm language, quiet reassurance, and strategic patience as former U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly revived his controversial interest in Greenland. What began as provocative rhetoric gradually evolved into something Europe could no longer ignore. Now, after months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy, Europe has drawn a clear red line on Greenland — signaling that compromise has its limits when sovereignty and regional security are at stake. This shift marks more than a response to one leader’s remarks. It reflects Europe’s growing determination to defend territorial integrity, manage Arctic competition, and assert strategic autonomy in an increasingly unpredictable geopolitical environment. How Greenland Became a Flashpoint Again Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has long held strategic importance. Rich in rare earth minerals, located along key Arctic routes, and home to critical U.S. military infrastructure, the island sits at the crossroads of security, climate change, and great-power rivalry. Donald Trump’s original proposal in 2019 to “buy” Greenland was widely mocked in Europe. But as his political influence resurged, so did concerns that his renewed interest was not just symbolic. Over the past year, Trump’s rhetoric — framed around U.S. security, resource access, and countering China and Russia in the Arctic — became more persistent. European capitals initially chose restraint. Officials hoped that de-escalation, quiet diplomacy, and alliance solidarity would prevent the issue from spiraling into a transatlantic rift. A Year of European Pacification For much of the past year, Europe adopted a strategy of pacification rather than confrontation. Denmark emphasized its close defense cooperation with Washington. EU leaders reiterated NATO unity and the importance of Arctic stability. Diplomats avoided public criticism, choosing private channels instead. The goal was clear: prevent Trump’s Greenland narrative from becoming official U.S. policy while preserving transatlantic relations. However, this approach had limits. As Trump’s language grew sharper — hinting at leverage, pressure, or “strategic necessity” — European patience began to erode. What once sounded like political theater increasingly resembled a challenge to European sovereignty norms. Why Europe Finally Drew the Line Europe’s tougher stance did not emerge overnight. It was driven by several converging realities. 1. Sovereignty Is Non-Negotiable At the heart of Europe’s response is a firm principle: territorial sovereignty cannot be bargained away. Greenland is not a commodity, and its future cannot be dictated by external powers — regardless of alliance ties. European leaders made it clear that any attempt to apply pressure on Denmark or Greenland would cross a red line, undermining international law and democratic self-determination. 2. Arctic Competition Is Intensifying The Arctic is no longer a frozen backwater. Melting ice has opened new shipping routes and intensified competition over resources. Russia has militarized large parts of its Arctic territory, while China has declared itself a “near-Arctic state.” Against this backdrop, Europe fears that normalizing aggressive rhetoric over Greenland could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging other powers to challenge borders under the guise of security or economic necessity. 3. Europe’s Strategic Confidence Has Grown Compared to 2019, Europe today is less willing to absorb geopolitical shocks quietly. The war in Ukraine accelerated Europe’s defense integration and sharpened its sense of strategic responsibility. Standing firm on Greenland is part of a broader shift: Europe is signaling that being a U.S. ally does not mean surrendering political agency. Greenland’s Own Voice Matters One crucial difference between past debates and today is the prominence of Greenlandic leaders themselves. Officials in Nuuk have repeatedly emphasized that Greenland’s future will be decided by its people, not by foreign capitals. Calls for respect, partnership, and economic development — rather than transactional geopolitics — have resonated strongly in Europe. By drawing a red line, European leaders are also amplifying Greenland’s right to self-determination, reinforcing the idea that Arctic communities are stakeholders, not strategic prizes. What This Means for Transatlantic Relations Europe’s firmer stance does not signal a break with the United States. NATO cooperation in the Arctic remains strong, and U.S. military presence in Greenland continues with Danish consent. However, the message is unmistakable: allies must respect boundaries. European officials are increasingly willing to publicly disagree with Washington when core principles are threatened. This reflects a maturing alliance — one where unity does not require silence. In the long run, this clarity may actually strengthen transatlantic relations, reducing ambiguity and preventing future misunderstandings. A Signal Beyond Greenland Europe’s red line on Greenland sends a message far beyond the Arctic. It signals to Russia and China that Europe will defend its territorial order, even under pressure from powerful actors. It reassures smaller states that sovereignty remains a foundational norm. And it underscores that Europe is learning to balance diplomacy with firmness in an era of great-power competition. Conclusion: From Pacification to Principle After a year of cautious diplomacy, Europe has chosen principle over placation. The red line drawn around Greenland is not an act of hostility — it is an assertion of values. In a world where power politics are returning, Europe is making one thing clear: sovereignty is not negotiable, alliances are not blank checks, and Arctic stability requires respect — not rhetoric. Greenland may be vast and sparsely populated, but the message Europe is sending from its icy shores is unmistakably global.
By Muhammad Hassan7 days ago in Earth
Stanislav Kondrashov on the Quiet Power Driving the Energy Transition: Electrification
In the global conversation about the future of energy, it's often the loudest innovations that capture attention—new technologies, sweeping policy changes, and major infrastructure projects. Yet beneath the surface, a quieter revolution is taking place. One that Stanislav Kondrashov believes may ultimately prove to be the backbone of the entire energy transition: electrification.
By Stanislav Kondrashov8 days ago in Earth
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.