I've tried to post this entry 7 times, but I am having connection problems since hurricane Ivan passed through.
I said weeks ago that I would post some of our beach pictures from our trip to Pensacola. If you've been keeping up, you know how hectic things have been around here.
Even so, I had to make time to put a few pictures together. I haven't been able to get Pensacola out of my mind. I can't even watch the news and see the destruction Ivan left behind on our beautiful gulf coast. I saw a few pictures of where we visited in July, and it doesn't even resemble the pictures in my memory. Not quite two months ago, Stephen ran up and down this beach. We played in the sand. Sand, just like sugar, so white and soft. Pensacola beach was so crowded with people; it made me nervous that Stephen can get lost in a crowd that size. We found Navarre beach [lower right photo] that was far away from the main attraction and although there was a light rain shower just before we got there, it didn't stop us from having a wonderful time. We wrote our names in the sand, and played like children. I can't remember the last time I felt so carefree with no worries. Navarre beach treated us with such kindness, and welcomed us with open arms. For a short while, my problems were washed out into the sea of forgetfulness. I tried to not let my mind wander back to our real life. Stephen is a happy child, but never as happy as he was there. The minute we returned to the street we live on, he broke out into tears. In his own way, he realized that it was back to reality. I remained quite, and tried to hold on to just a shred of the gulf coast that we left behind. We will return next summer. Perhaps the scars of Ivan will show. Many of the buildings will be replaced. But the beach and the ocean will forever remain the same to me. The gulf coast will be my friend who allows me to cast all of my burdens on her shoulders. For a few treasured days, she will wash the heaviness in my heart from me again.
Till next year, sweet Pensacola. My prayers are with you and yours.
6 comments:
Boy am I glad you guys went down tehre earlier and before the storms. Thanks for sharing these pics they are so special I love the fahter and son one. Lori
Sweet pictures Mia. It'll be interesting to see next year's pictures of the same places after Ivan. Glad to know all y'all are alright [geesh, did ya read that? and I'm not even southern] I love how Stephen is so free and able to express his emotions. We could all learn from him. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to burst into screaming tears after a great vacation. Love to you. Big sloppy kisses to Stephen from Hunny!
Wonderful pictures and I pray for all the folks who have and are still going through the clean up from the devastation of Charley, Frances, and Ivan.
Glad you hear you guys are OK.
I've seen some pictures of the devastation.
So sad.
I'm glad you got to see the beach this year,
and that you had a great time.
Lovish!
Connie
Hectic should be our middle name, what do you think? :D Sorry to hear you're having connection problems. Is it the line? Can you call someone? Hopefully it's not permanent.
Pensacola looks beautiful. We visited Jacksonville last summer - lots of fun. But yeah, you gotta watch the kids. Thankfully, my sister-in-law was having a company picnic and they had a more private spot on the beach. That was nice.
If Stephen is happy on the beach, then you should certainly try to get him back there. Life is too short. ::hugs::
What a LOVELY time. I have been through pensecola, but didn't stay. It is beautiful, the water, the coastline, the bridges....we took the I-10 they talk about.
:(
Make it back, as much as you can....
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