Look at these beautiful beaches! These are the waters, and sand, and seashore that is less that 100 miles from my home. The sand is pure white…and soft…and like sugar. The water is blue, and green, and cobalt. There is some seaweed…some times more than others. There are little fish that will nibble on your toes. All along the beach, there are stands of sea oats. Don’t pick them! It’s against the law. If you sit on the beach and look back toward the houses…you will see all manner of steps leading up to the highway. Some are new and sturdy. Some are barely holding together…no one cares to fix them…they just go to the next one down.

This is my beach. This is where I would go for Spring Break (when Mom and Pop would let me). This is where I used to love to walk out on the big pier in Panama City. This is where youth from our church would spend a week or two every summer. This is my beach! I love it! This is where I came the day after my 16th birthday. I had a brand new Chevrolet Camaro, and 3 friends in the car. I still remember having to call my Pop and tell him that a car full of boys had rammed my car in the rear! “Are y’all OK?,” he asked. We were. “Can you still drive the car?,” he asked next. We could. “Well, go on and enjoy your day and we’ll see about the car when you get home. Call me if you need me.” We did…go on and have a good day. Oh, I remember the feeling….16…new car…new bikini…cute boyfriend. Life was good…at my beach! (I was much older than 16 in the pic below…in case you wondered)

This is where Don and I would bring our boys when they were young. Oh, how they loved to go to the beach. They would swim all day. And, at night, we would all go to Miracle Strip Amusement Park…a sort of mini fair, where they could ride and eat and have the time of their lives. Later a wonderful water park was built, Shipwreck Island…and then our time had to be divided between there and the beach! Sweet, sweet memories!

And, I HATE what is going to happen to my beach. I think this is a tragedy beyond measure. And, there are beaches in Alabama, in Louisiana, in Mississippi that are in just as sad a shape. The water, the fish, the birds, the sand…the people. How sad for those that make their living from the ocean, whether fishing or tourism. And, since Obama has closed down drilling, more than 20,000 jobs are gone. It is sad, my friends. It is a tragedy.

” Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host,
the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein,
and thou preservest them all;
and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.” Nehemiah 9:6

Please pray for our beaches and the people who make their living from them and the countless others who enjoy them.

For some reason, I have never been close to anyone who has been off to a war. That I know of, at least. There is a possibility that some of my cousins may have gone to serve…and if they have…speak up, family…let me know. My Pop was in the Navy, and my niece’s husband is in the Guard.

But recently, I found myself sharing a ride with a hero. There was me, and 2 couple riding on a tourist van. Let’s call them Back Couple and Side couple. I was alone for just a few minutes, and then at a motel stop, two couples came to ride with me. They were all prepared for a day on the beach. From the way the were acting, I do not think they knew each other.

Back Man…”This is the life, no working, just laying out and playing all day. I could really get used to this.”

Back Woman…”Seems to me you have gotten used to it, but, it’s time to grow up and get a job.”

Back Man…”Watch out woman. We’re paying our bills and we got food on the table. The kids have toys, and we are on a fine vacation.”

Back Woman…”That’s because I’m working double shifts at the hospital…and I am tired. I want to be able to spend some time with the kids.”

Back Man…”Well, you know how hard it is to get a job.” Then addressing the Side Man, he said, “What kind of work do you do?”

Side Man…”Well, I’m not working at all right now. But, I plan to get busylooking next week. I’ve got a baby on the way!”

Back Man says to Side Woman…”You working?”

Side Woman…”Yes, I’ve been cleaning houses. That’s the only thing I could find. But, it’s paying well.

Back Man to Side Man…”Well, Man, you just need to take it easy. Let your Old Lady work. You got no worries!”

Side Man…”No, this vacation is my time to take it easy. I’ll be finding a job next week. Then she can rest.”

Back Man…” How long you been out of work, Man?”

Side Man…” Oh, I haven’t been out of work. I’ve been in Afghanistan, and Iraq.”

Back Man…”You are crazy! You couldn’t pay me to go over there. All that shooting and bombs and those crazy folks that live there. You get shot at much?”

Side Man…with a quick glance at his wife…”Nah, not much.”

Side Woman…”I’m just glad to have him home. And, he doesn’t have to go back.”

Back Man…”Well, I wouldn’t have gone over there in the first place. You crazy, Man. You can’t tell what those folks will do. No, you wouldn’t ever see me going over there.”

Back Woman…looking very disgusted at the Back Man…” No, you wouldn’t have gone. You won’t even work in the States, you sure wouldn’t work overseas in the army. That’s way too much work for you.” She finished her sentence and then turned her back and looked out the window.

Back Man looked around, chest puffed out, wanting the rest of us passengers to see what a fine man he was.

Side Woman looked up at her husband and smiled.

Side Man leaned over and kissed her. She lay her head on his shoulder.

Older, But Still Cute, Woman…looking at the Side Man…”Excuse me, Sir, but I’d like to thank you for being willing to serve our country. I appreciate you and your wife for sacrificing for people like me. To me, you are a hero.”

Side Man: with tears in his eyes,”It was my privilege, Ma’am…my privilege.”

And,the five of us rode in silence to the beach drop off. Side Man and Woman got off, smiling and anxious to go play in the beautiful sand and surf.

The Back Man got up and walked to the front of the bus. He turned around and looked at Back Woman, who was still sitting and looking out the window, “Woman, You coming?”

She slowly got up and followed him. He ran off, fancy free, while she was struggling with two floats and a big beach bag and towels. I watched out the window as the Side Man and Side Woman noticed her. They went to her and took the floats and the bag…and the three of them walked off toward the beach…

I rode on, alone, to the hotel. I’ve thought of that many times since then…and today seemed to be the time to share.

Happy Memorial Day!

There was a time, when Alex first became ill, that we went from Dr. to Dr. looking for answers. Many times it ws a family affair…we would try to combine it with some fun things for all the boys to do.

Once we went to the University of Michigan for several days of testing. Donald, who at that time served on the local school board, also had a convention to attend about that time. So, we combined the two. The second trip was to Amarillo, Texas, and we knew the boys would love that.

Of course, it was quite a distance from this deep South town, so we decided we would fly. Bought tickets, packed bags, headed to the airport, and boarded the plane…all 5 of us. We were ready for answers and then a little adventure.

The only plane that flies out of here is the small commuter jets. They connect us to Atlanta. But, at this time they still had the propeller planes. This was Alex and Ian’s first flight, so they were really bouncing off the wall! We got them seated and buckled up. Adam had found a seat away from us because he was too cool to be seen with his parents and little brothers. All was ready…TAKE OFF!

We watched their faces and it was a mixture of excitement and terror. But, as they saw that no one was up in the aisles running and screaming…they settled down.

About 10 minutes into the flight, my ears started popping. You know the air pressure is not as good on those little planes. I offered Don a piece of gum and then leaned over the seats in front of us and offered the boys some. They declined. As we continue climbing…my ears were really stopping up bad. I was worried that the boys were uncomfortable, too. So, I leaned up over the seat again and said to them, “Boys, are you sure you don’t want some gum for your ears? It really helps.” My dear youngest son then proceeded to turn around in his seat, look me square in the eyes, and said, “Mom…if you think I’m going to put that gum in my ears…you are badly mistaken!”

I sat down…buckled my seat belt…told Don what had just happened. He and I laughed all the way to Atlanta!

“Listen! Stand still and consider the wonders of God.” Job 37:14

“God made the world and everything in it.” Acts 17.24

“God made everything beautiful in its time…” Ecclesiastes 3:11

Just a few of the beautiful shells I have collected…

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in nets of wonder forever.” Jacques Cousteau

Mom…Pop…Tonja…1953