Right before sunset. It’s the favorite part of my beach day.

Sunbathers, motionless during the heat of the day, have disappeared in search of nourishment, aloe lotion or both.

Children who tirelessly played in the waves have deserted the beach, likely to gear up with flashlights and buckets before returning to look for sand crabs.

And then there’s our family.

It was easy to spot us this year — all 34 of us — thanks to our bright orange T-shirts designed by Justin, my niece Kerri’s husband.

This was the second year he personalized each shirt with a nickname he chose for each member of our group.

Evenings are our time for grilling, family photos (including snapshots of the little ones dressed as mermaids) or volleyball, a game everyone is allowed to play and the little ones serve from the front line.

My nephew David acts as announcer, line judge and DJ. Although they ignored most of the music he chose, toddlers Blakely, Olivia and Adeline stopped building their castles of sand when David began to play a Barney tune.

I sat by the edge of the water last week and wished for time to slow down. I thought of all the memories we’ve created along the coast and all of the times I’ve written my worries in the sand and waited until every letter was lapped up by the salty water which mixed easily with my tears.

The beach is my preferred place of  prayer, and I read something by Kentucky farmer and author Wendell Berry, which helped me to understand why.

“The great visionary encounters (in the Bible) did not take place in temples but in sheep pastures, in the desert, in the wilderness, on mountains, on the shores of rivers and the sea… I don’t think it’s enough appreciated how much an outdoor book the Bible is… it is best read and understood outdoors,” he said.

I’ve never regretted a trip to the beach. The sun, the fun, the food and even the day I’m forced to take time for pictures blend together to make my favorite place to vacation.

But my most loved part of all are the sweet moments I spend praying at the coastline.

Right before sunset.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.