IT IS WHAT IT IS (March 7-23, 2020)

 

Sixteen days ago we left Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  We had been there for 63 days and had enjoyed the beach, the restaurants, and the resort.  Toward the very end of our stay, we started to hear about Covid 19.  We were slightly nervous about our flights to Orlando but "social distancing" was yet to be a thing.

Secluded Edisto Beach

However, as we waited in Orlando for two days in a friend's house (they were out of town ), things changed.  We were in Orlando to pick up two grandsons flying in from Missouri. They were coming for a special 5 days with us.  We enjoyed a day at Daytona Beach and quick two day cruise to the Bahamas.  Needless to say, during those days things were changing rapidly.  We loved our time with the boys but were relieved when they flew back home.

Our next stop was Edisto Island, South Carolina.  a quiet, secluded island between Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.  Known as Ed-is-Slow Island, it seemed to be the perfect location to "shelter in place".  We had reservations through May 9th.

That's where we are now.  We have been here a week and just found out that they are closing the resort on April 1st.

Edisto Blue Heron

REFLECTIONS

As I wrote this blog, I received the call that I hoped would never come.  It informed us that the resort would be closing next week. I knew it was coming but had tried to convince myself that it wasn't.

In my thinking, we were in the perfect spot.  It was isolated, beautiful, and warm.  The county had closed off the island and there had been only one case of the virus in Collton County. It was my safe place; my sanctuary.

But, as all my Jamaican friends have told me for years; "It is what it is."

So for the next week we will explore travel options back to Indiana, watch the dolphins frolic, and enjoy the warmth and sunsets.  

Stay safe and lean on the One who is not distancing Himself from us.  His name is Emmanuel (God is with us)

Edisto Island Sunset

PRACTICALLY PERFECT IN EVERY WAY (February 16 - March 6, 2020)

When the big silver bird lifts off from the airport in the morning, we will have concluded our nine week stay at the Wyndham Ocean Blvd. Resort in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  We have enjoyed ourselves so much that we have already signed up for seven weeks next spring.

Wes and Marcia

The final three weeks were spent primarily by ourselves enjoying the beach life.  We did have visitors for five days as our long time good friends, Wes and Marcia Bittenbender, from Michigan stopped in on their way to Florida.  We are so blessed that we are able to share our space with friends as we continue our nomadic life style.

We will spend the next two weeks in Florida (with friends), on a two night cruise to the Bahamas with our two youngest grandsons, and at my brother's home in Simpsonville, South Carolina.  We will be "on the move" more than usual but look forward to this part of our adventure.



REFLECTIONS

The Dicers

Just about every day I would make my way down the stairwell from the 14th floor and out onto the beach that lay before me.  The sandy beach became my trail as I edged my way between the breaking waves and the glistening sand.  It was there, many times, in the retreating waters that I found the ocean's treasures as they tumbled ashore.  Some days I found more than others, but everyday I enjoyed the search.  I found myself ultimately looking for a particular kind of shell.  It was cylindrical and when unbroken, I thought, quite beautiful.  I have no idea what they are called and I don't really care.  To me they were discoveries along my five mile journey.  Yet, for every unbroken one I would find, I would find many more lying broken among the fragments of other shells.  They were broken and discarded by the churning surf.  They were crushed under the feet of folks looking for the perfect find.

For every "Mary Poppins" shell ("Practically perfect in every way") there are so many more crushed and broken.  But then I was reminded that it was the crushed, broken, and worn down shells, which sifted together to make the soft, warm, sandy beach upon which I walked.  Without them?  No beach.

Lives are kind of like that.  There are so few that are "practically perfect" and so many more that are fragmented, broken, discarded, and crushed!  The challenge is to not become so enamored with those that we perceive to be "practically perfect" that we overlook look those who, although we may not see it, will rise above their "brokenness" and enhance the journey of those around them.

Never forget that everyone has value and can be a blessing as we travel together along this beach called life.

SLIP SLIDING AWAY (January 27 - February 15, 2020)

After Curt and Jenny, Sherry's brother and sister-in-law, pulled out of the parking garage at the Wyndham Ocean Blvd Resort, we turned and found our way back to our 14th floor, ocean front room.  It had been a nice three week stay with them but now we found ourselves alone and ready for
a couple of weeks of  "down" time before the arrival of special friends from Indiana, Doretta and Jimmy Durnil.  Sherry and Doretta were High School friends in Bloomington, Indiana and we had recently reconnected with her and her husband.  Shortly after their arrival, a phone call informed us that Sherry's sister's husband had died after a long battle with cancer.  We left the Durnils in charge of the condo and flew to Indiana and the funeral.  We returned in two days and shared a couple of more days with our friends.  Now we've had North Myrtle Beach to ourselves for two weeks and have enjoyed "Beach Life" to its fullest.  Six Weeks of our nine week stay here is finished and we have already made reservations to be back in 2021.

REFLECTIONS

Both life and death remind us of the journey we are on.  It is a journey to be cherished and treasured.  It is a journey to be experienced knowing that, at any time, it can completely change.  This week I took an unexpected slip and slide journey to the hard, narrow, bottom of the bath tub while entering for a quick shower.  I had just finished a wonderful 4 mile walk on the beach, enjoying the slights and sounds of a sunny South Carolina day.  I felt great!  The next thing I knew I was headed for a fall.  It is amazing that in the 2 seconds it takes from stepping in to crashing to the shower wetted tub you can actually have time to reflect!

I thought about all the times I had heard of "elderly" folks break arms, legs, hips in such a fall.  I thought "now it's your turn".  As I pretzeled my way down and hit hard, I groaned and took inventory.  I was conscious and nothing seemed broken or "pulled".  Sherry ran to the site of the commotion and inquired; "You OK?  What can I do?", to which I responded as I lay there in the cascading water; "I think so, just hand me the shampoo."

Today, four days later, I'm a little bruised (blood thinners enhance bruising, by the way) and sore but continue walking everyday and enjoying my time on planet Earth.

Yesterday someone in the elevator stated; "It's a beautiful day to be on the right side of the grass."  My quick response was; "If you are prepared, it will be a great day on either side of the grass."  That's just the way I look at it.....THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

BEACH LIFE 101 (January 4 - 26, 2020)

After a great three week stay in Daytona Beach, we caught two standby flights and landed in Myrtle

Beach, South Carolina, where we would call the WYNDHAM OCEAN BLVD RESORT home for the next 9 weeks.  This would be our first visit to this famous beach town and we were looking forward to a new location and new adventures.

To say that January in North Myrtle Beach is "quiet" time is almost an understatement as most businesses are only open on weekends and the beach was nearly empty.  But "quiet" time is exactly what we like so the panoramic ocean view from our 14th floor, ocean front room was perfect.

These first 3 weeks were shared with Sherry's brother, Curt, and his wife, Jenny.  We did find some good places to eat including; Blueberry's Grill, Ella's of Calabash, and the Crab Catcher's.  We spent a little time each day walking the expansive beach, enjoying the sun, and the activity that always surrounds an ocean beach.  The chattering of the Sea Gulls, the formation of the pelicans as they skim the water, the folks looking intently for sea shells, the people electronically prospecting for hidden treasure buried in the sand,  dutiful dog walkers, struggling kite flyers, power walkers, joggers, sand architects, and a few sun worshipers dotted the shoreline each time.

Over all it was , again, a good time of being with family and being reminded how important those relationships are.

REFLECTIONS

As I mentioned above, the beach attracts different folks for different reasons.  Some spend their time there looking intently at the sand near the retreating waves hoping to find that perfect shell.  Some spend their time looking toward the horizon hoping to see the perfect sunrise or sunset.  Some spend their time looking toward the sky hoping to catch a glimpse of a particular type of sea bird.  Some spend their time looking for a distant landmark that will indicate a turning place in their quest to reach their step goal for the day.  Others......well you get the idea.  All are having a great time doing what they consider to be "beach things".

Likewise, living together with another couple points to the how different our "life things" can be.  Differences in diet, sleep times, movie/TV likes, and so on, make co-habitation a challenge. As a matter of fact living as a couple is a challenge as well.

Once again, it comes down to understanding that we were all created and raised differently.  Our heredity and our environment helped shape us into who we are today.  No two (even twins) are the same.  Therefore, the secret is to enjoy what you enjoy and allow others to enjoy what they enjoy and to find some common things to share together and learn not to believe that all our "life things" need to be the same.  Remember it is exactly our differences that make life an adventure whether on the beach or in our lives.

And now I am off to the beach in search of a line of pelicans to photograph while Sherry sits by the open deck door; listening to the sounds of the never ending waves, viewing the sparkling sun reflections on the ocean waters, and doing today's crossword puzzle.  

REFLECTING ON REFLECTIONS (December 14 - January 3, 2020)

We left the heat of Mexico and winged our way, uneventfully, to Florida.  Upon arriving in Daytona Beach, it was interesting to overhear many comments about how warm it was.  Interesting to us because it was 20 degrees cooler then where we had been in Cozumel.

Our three week stay at Wyndham Ocean Walk Resort was a time of fighting raspy, dry coughs, resting, and visiting with family and friends.

My brother and his wife and long time friends, Rosie and Bryan Solomon and Steve and Rhonda Schafer all stopped in for a couple of days as they headed further south.

Our 9th floor, two bedroom, oceanfront unit was the perfect place to enjoy the rhythmic splashing of the waves as they kissed the sandy shore.  It was the perfect place to watch the eastern sky turn orange as the morning sun peeked above the watery horizon.  It was the perfect place to look down on the dozens of pelicans that drifted by just below the balcony.  It was a good place to welcome 2020.

                         REFLECTIONS

The older I get, the more I reflect on days gone by; the more I remember what used to be.  I have found that, like the reflections of the sun dancing across the waves or the seagull standing on the ocean's edge, these memories are becoming more and more distorted.  As a matter of fact, many times these "reflections" are such that they barely reflect the reality of the actual occurrence.

It doesn't diminish the beauty or importance of the event.  It just causes one to wonder how accurate their reflections are.  Two people can recall the same thing and come up with two totally differing opinions as to what exactly happened.  It doesn't make one right and the other wrong.  It just means that they are gathering their information from different perspectives.  

Like some will remember January, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Florida, as a time that they enjoyed warmer weather and others will remember it as a time that they were able to get away from the heat and humidity of southern Mexico.

As I reflect on the friends and family who visited with us in Florida, I am certain that we all would not remember our times together the same way.  But, I do believe, that we all would say they were good times and that the memories, no matter how exact they may be, will be points of joy for a long time to come.

WASTIN' TIME IN MEXICO (November 23 - December 13, 2019)

Aside from being a little rushed at the Nashville, Tennessee airport (our Uber driver missed the turn for the airport), our travel went as planned with no problems.  We left a rainy and cool Tennessee and landed in a humid and hot Cozumel, Mexico.  During our stay the temperature high remained in the mid 80s.

El Cid La Ceiba (Wyndham) would be our home for the next three weeks.  Our one bedroom condo was on the 3rd floor overlooking the Caribbean and the Cruise Port for the island.  It would be a great place to relax and be strengthened after all the activity surrounding the death of Sherry's mom.

We have decided that these times, at resorts, will not be rushed or filled with "do this/ do that" things.  They are to be life lived in different places.  We both had bronchial issues and it was good to be able to hang around the resort, watch the Cruise Ships come in, get some sun in the sand, and enjoy the feel of Mexico.

We did spend one day visiting Punta Sur Eco Park.  This remote area is filled with beautiful vistas, crocodiles, lagoons, beaches, and a wonderful lighthouse.

Next stop: Daytona Beach, Florida (3 weeks)

REFLECTION

 I sat in the ocean side eatery at the resort, enjoying my buffet breakfast ($12 US/$220 Pesos) and watching Cruise Ships as they docked in the port next door.  Some days there were as many as six of the large crafts coming and going.

I felt a little like Otis Reading when he sang;

"Sittin' in the morning sun I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come.
I'll be watchin' the ships roll in and then I'll watch 'em roll away again
......I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay wastin' time."

On my morning walks, I shared the sidewalk with cruise passengers rushing here and there trying to get to a tour or to find that special souvenir in the booths that lined the pavement.  I watched them as they streamed off the ship in the morning and as they dutifully made their way back in the late afternoon.  Hurry off....hurry on.

For some, life is like a cruise.  It's hurry up and keep busy.  Don't miss anything, make sure you get all you have paid for (food, food, and more food), and finish with memories for a lifetime.

For others, life is like a three week resort stay.  Take some down time, make sure you enjoy the moments, and finish with memories for a lifetime.

Cruisers or stayers, find your place and enjoy the journey.  Don't worry about "wastin' time".

FINISHING THE JOURNEY SAFELY (November 6-22, 2019)

We left Indiana and winged our way south to Orlando, where we were picked up at the airport and spent the night with Denny and Jane Krumlauf.  Denny and I grew up together in Port Huron, Michigan.  I became a pastor and he became an army chaplain.  It was good to reconnect for a couple of days.  They dropped us off at Wyndham Star Island in Kissimmee and we spent three days enjoying the sunshine and warmth.  We moved just a little further south to Reunion, Florida and the Wyndham Reunion Resort.  We were joined there by Sherry's brother, Curt, and his wife, Jenny.  Our plans were to spend some time together in Florida before heading to Wyndham Plantation Resort in Georgia and to Wyndham Nashville in Tennessee.

Once again, though, plans changed with a phone call. 

Sherry's 90 year old mom became seriously ill in the nursing home and the staff said she could pass from this life to the next within a day or two.  We packed the car and headed toward Indiana.  The trip north proved to be a long one as an early winter storm, with ice and snow, left its mark on Kentucky and southern Indiana.  We slowly slid our way through the night into the driveway of Curt's home just outside of Bloomington.

Lois, my wife's mother, quietly passed on two days later and her Celebration of Life Service was held.  She was a wonderful example of a Christian lady.  Her faith in Christ never wavered.  She will be missed but the memories of a life well lived will continue.

We flew out of a cold and snowy Indiana the next week and spent six days at Wyndham Nashville (TN) before heading to Cozumel, Mexico.

REFLECTION

Life is a progression of changes.  Things seldom go exactly as planned.  Our lives are lived out with daily uncertainties.  Things change.

Our expected time of relaxation with Curt and Jenny turned into a hazardous 1,000 mile drive through a cold and snowy night.  It sure felt good when we rolled into the driveway and were safe.

For Lois, her journey had its moments of struggle and change; moments of happiness and fear.  But, now, she has finished her life's drive, rolled into Heaven's driveway, and is safe.