by Kimbery Nolan

The love of the ocean permeates island culture. At the South Shore, surfers meditate on swells. Fishermen memorize the changing tides. Children’s Beach reverberates with squeals of joy, as kids are finally free from school and sports. On the Cisco bike path, bicyclists snap “selfies,” cataloging memories along the route. Adventurers atop Sankaty Head Lighthouse gaze outward, humbly noting the breadth of the Atlantic Ocean. However, a true celebration of the sea is best observed in a dog. Once the leash disconnects from the collar, they bolt. No matter the breed, they plunge right into the surf. Even after they shake off sand and salt, their smile remains.

The ocean defines island culture. Located 30 miles out to sea, the ocean insulates Nantucket.  Residents sharing the same sand bar, the ocean forces us together — as friends, as employers, as neighbors, as a community. The interdependency is evident in a storm, when no boats or planes are running and we only have each other. On Nantucket, interconnectedness is a way of life. Visitors often admire that “small town feeling” seen in coffee shops, on sidewalks or in line at the post office. The island is a touchstone to the past, which helps to soften and slow even the busiest people. It’s no wonder that penny after penny is thrown off the stern of each ferry as they round Brant Point. Those pennies contain secret wishes to return to Nantucket, as travelers go back to “America.” Only the ocean knows how many secret wishes float to the sandy bottom.