WHERE WERE YOU?………part 2
Here we go…more memories. This first one is a step back, then a jump forward.
JULY 1980
This was a day of fairy tales. This was a day of magic. This was a day when girls the world over could say, “It’s true, it’s true! You really can meet a prince and fall in love and get married. You can wear a real tiara and live in a castle. You really can.” And even though I was 27 years old, I watched and was mesmerized. As the stories were told of the courtship and the engagement and days leading up to the wedding…I felt like the whole of it was a fairy tale. And, I was getting to watch it play out! [I watched it all night long while my family slept. I had one son and my second child was due in 4 months.]
Honestly, when she arrived and got out of the carriage and we got our first look at that dress….it was breathtaking. It was magnificent! It was perfection.
And, then…all the little children that were attending her in their sweet outfits…just divine! That was the first time I had seen anyone have all children as attendants, and I understand that is the custom. As she began walking down the aisle and that train flowed out like a white capped river behind her, I thought it was the most beautiful wedding I had ever seen.
The only thing I didn’t like were her flowers. Looked like they took every white flower in the garden for the bouquet. It must have weighed a ton!
And, as the festivities were over many thought that ‘she had it all. She’d made it! A commoner (even though she did have a royal bloodline) met a prince (can’t make myself call him handsome). She married him and went to live in the castle. And, they lived happily ever after.’ That is the way fairy tales are supposed to end, isn’t it?
AUGUST 1997
I finally got all my boys in bed (now I had 3). And, I sat down to flip through a new magazine…the television had been left on and I do not even know what was on. But, the sound bite that plays when a network breaks into a program came on and I looked up to see what was happening. Princess Diana…car crash….several dead…. taken to hospital….paparazzi. And, I couldn’t leave the TV. Again, I watched through the night…waiting to hear if she was dead or alive. How many others were doing the same thing the world over? Soon we learned the awful truth. She was gone.
I’ve often wondered why this affected me. Not in a big way, but just a sadness at the whole situation. And, I think it was because the fairy tale was really over now. Charles and Diana had divorced, but she had remained a public figure and continued her charitable work. But, now…it all had ended. And, it is so much the same for so many of us, isn’t it? We may not be a real true Princess, but our hope and dreams and wishes are just as real…and they, too, may be crushed. It’s how we react to this that tells our life story.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
And, now to the tragedy that is known simply by 2 numbers 9/11. Everyone knows what it means. Everyone remembers. Everyone has stories to tell. Everyone changed after that day. I don’t think any of us knew what terrorism really meant and how close it was to our home land. But, that day taught us many, many lessons.
Do you remember where you were? Most of us do, if we are old enough. And, I do, as well. I had gotten up early that morning because I had a trip planned to Birmingham. Alex had an appointment with one of his doctors in Birmingham that afternoon. Joy was going with me this time. Before I left to go and pick her up, I called my friend, Tina, to tell her something. She asked me if I had heard the news? I quickly got off the phone and turned on the TV. This was after the first plane had hit. The newscasters were trying their best to report what had happened without panic…but you could see it all over their faces.
I was watching when the second plane hit. I was dumbfounded. Newscasters were still saying that the first plane could have been an accident, but after the second plane hit, they reported we were under attack. UNDER ATTACK? What did that even mean? Did you know? We were not like other nations who had lived with attacks and threats for many years…they knew what it meant. I didn’t. I could remember, vaguely, when there were ‘fallout shelters’ located around town. But, I had no idea what to do if we were ‘under attack’.
I got in the car with Alex and went to get Joy. And, then we went over to Mom and Pop’s house to decide what to do. I called Don, and he said he thought I should go on…”Life goes on”, he said. We turned on the TV and all sat watching…and then there was a third plane crash into the Pentagon.
I felt very uneasy about traveling anywhere. I just wanted to stay home and watch the news. Soon the news went back to New York where the towers were collapsing. People were jumping. Jumping to certain death. When I see these people huddled next to the windows, it tears my heart in two.
I think they probably thought they were going to be rescued. The tower surely wouldn’t collapse. It was too strong for that. Safeguards were in place. When the first tower fell, what did those in the second tower feel? Did they know then? Did they know there was little hope? How unthinkable.
We heard then that all flights had been cancelled throughout the country. WOW…that was big! And, then the news told us that towns and cities were imposing curfews. Stores and shops were closing, schools were closing and kids were coming home to parents…the world seemed to be ‘closing down’.
And, next came the news about Flight 93…
We heard of the telephone calls and we heard the actual voices of those who knew where they were headed. We heard the voices of those who decided they would not go down without a fight. They would fight for right as long as they had breath. Heroes all!
Would this be the end? Four tragedies, one after another. Was this it? Or were there more attacks to come? What were we supposed to do?
And, I called Don again and he said, Go”. I asked Pop, and he said, ” Go on with what you need to do.” I asked Joy what she wanted to do. She said we needed to go on. I called the Clinic in Birmingham and asked if they were still seeing patients. The receptionist said,”Of course we are.” So off we went.
And even though there was no danger here in South AL., we didn’t know that. And what we did know was that there had already been 4 attacks, and the President said we were “Under attack.” So, it took a great deal of courage for us to drive 200 miles north to the largest city in AL. But, we did.
Joy and I always liked to stay at a certain hotel in Birmingham. It was the one that was connected to the big Galleria mall. Usually, Don would say ‘no’ because it was too expensive. It was very convenient for us because Alex could stay in the room and we could easily check on him. Plus, we could take our heavy packages to the room while shopping. The last time I made reservations, Don had said we could stay there. And, that time was this time.
We went on to our appointment, and noticed that quite a few of the individual doctors offices were closed. The parking deck for the clinic was as empty as I have ever seen it. There was very little traffic on the road, and according to the radio…there were no rooms available in the city. Travelers on planes were forced to find a room and stay in the city. Those who travelled by car throughout the state on business had to get off the roads. Thankfully we had a reservation. We made it to the room…got Alex settled…and went into the Galleria. We really didn’t feel like shopping, and we wanted to get to the television and see what was happening. Every single store and food vendor was either closed or closing by 6:00, due to the early curfew. We did manage to find some food available. We got it to go…and we spent our evening in the room…watching the TV…and thinking that we really wished we were home.
We got up early the next morning, and headed to Dothan. Things were moving a little more and we were able to find some food at Mc D. and gas for the car. We turned toward Dothan and didn’t stop till we got here. For several days, every one was glued to the TV…and no one went anywhere they didn’t have to go.
But, 3 days later…Don had a meeting to attend in California. He had already made his flight reservation before 9/11. He went to the airport and got on the plane and flew to California. I tried to talk him out of it, but he said, “Life is happening all the time. If God is ready for me…I’m ready for Him. If not, then He will protect me.” And off he flew. And, home he came.
And, we all changed that day. We learned things we never knew before. It brought a new and different fear into our lives. We now knew what ‘UNDER ATTACK’ meant. And, we were taught to always be cautious and to look at others with a suspicious eye. And forever we were different. And, that is NOT a good thing.
God Bless America
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I tried to write the preceding without too much opinion…but, I feel compelled to add the following observations: Personally, I was very thankful there was a man the caliber of George Bush leading us at this time. I trusted him and I knew he trusted God. There was always such talk that he did too much of this or not enough of that, he did this well, but really messed up in that. My feeling is this…he was the first president in modern times to deal with war coming right into our streets from such vile terrorists. No one had given him a handbook to study. He and his advisers figured it out…put safeguards in place…and kept us safe. He did a masterful job, if you ask me.
I also thought Rudy Giuliani was a leader who showed a heart of compassion and a leadership skill that rallied the whole of NYC…and impressed the whole country.
I am flabbergasted by airline travelers who are raising such a ruckus over screening procedures these days. What part of ‘this is for your own benefit’ can they not understand? They get better screening procedures and the women yell, ‘they can see my boobs on that machine!’ Well big WOO!. I don’t care if they can see my boobs…I certainly wouldn’t be flashing them in public…but, if the woman before me had some sort of weapon taped under her boobage…I would sure hope they could see that, too. Frankly, I feel the x-ray machine operator who is reading the scan cares very little about any body part…he’s too busy looking for explosives and the like. It’s a job, people. I imagine after you see thousands in a day, they kind of lose their appeal…(at least while on the job.) While I’ve flown enough to get a mite aggravated at the shoes off and the opening of my suitcases and looking through everything…touching my stuff and getting it out of order…even getting patted down—I would not dare open my mouth to complain! In fact, I go out of my way to say ‘thank-you’ to those officers I come in contact with. Once when Alex had to go through with his wheelchair, they practically took the whole thing apart, and then didn’t know how to get it back together. They kept wanting him to stand for the pat down and he kept falling, which didn’t please them. We finally got them to understand that he had to hold on to something to stand still. Then, his shoes had to come off…and sox…which took about 15 minutes to get all back on. BUT…all that was to be sure that all the other people traveling that day were safe. I must not complain about our inconvenience, when others are being inconvenienced as well. So, travelers..whatever they throw at us, as far as safety precautions…JUST DO IT! Don’t make snide remarks and bang around making the rest of us uncomfortable…JUST DO WHAT THEY ASK…..OR TAKE A BUS! I actually think they should just kindly escort those who complain and act the fool, out the door to a waiting bus and drop them off at the Greyhound Bus Station!
“I CAN DO ANYTHING…”
In 2010, when Joy and I went to Maui, the only thing she wanted to do that we did not, was go on a zip line. Now why she wanted to do that, I do not know. We were raised in the same home, with the same parents, and I have sense enough to know that feet are designed to be on the floor or the ground. I know, as well, that we were not meant to fly. If we were so intended, we would have wings. Furthermore, when you try to do something that the good Lord did not intend for you to do…things happen…and the results are not always pleasant. Obviously, the lessons did not stick with her!
So, when we made our plans to return this year, and to bring our friend, Patty, along…she immediately hit Patty up to go zip lining with her. I think it sounded something like this, “We’d love to invite you on our trip and all you have to do is agree to go on a little ride with me.” To which Patty replied, “Well, that sounds like a good deal, if I ever heard one…so, I’m in!” As soon as we got to Maui, I called the lady I like to work with there for tickets and such, and told her we needed 2 tickets for the best zip line on Maui. She called me back a little later and said due to our other scheduled events, the only time that was available that they could go…was the next morning! So, I took the tickets and relayed the good news. Patty, upon hearing that she was going on not one, but three zip lines way high above Maui, turned a little green. But, since Joy had already gone on the bus adventure to Pearl Harbor while we were on Oahu, Patty knew she was going zipping in the morning. And, they did! I, remembering the lessons of my childhood, knew that a day spent shopping in an outdoor mall next to the ocean beats dangling from a line high above the earth and flying through the air any old day! And, so I did! Joy said her prayers before they left.
They had their orientation, and learned all about what they were going to do, and how to be safe. ( ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ZIP LINING IN 30 MINUTES OR LESS just doesn’t seem like quite enough time to instill a feeling of confidence…I’m just saying…) And, then they began getting all their gear on. Packs front and back and a seat sling and helmets. They were really cute…don’t ya think?
And, then it was time…time for the first line. (By the way…waaaaaaaay down there is where they are going)
To be sure, they have beautiful scenery to look at while travelling!
Two trips down and then across the HUGE suspension bridge to get as high as possible for the last zip.
AND……THEY’RE OFF !!!
“WOW! That was fun! ”
“I did it! I did it! I did it! ”
And, after removing all the gear, they boarded the truck and headed back to the hotel. I was resting peacefully, after a glorious morning perusing all the boutiques in the Whaler’s Village. When I heard such a racket…you can’t even imagine! Banging on the door…yelling…laughing…more banging! It was the two zippers back from their adventure! Oh, they were pumped! Neither one could stop talking. Oh, how their children would have laughed to see them so excited. And, they should be very proud of their sense of adventure! I loved it when Joy said, “I feel like I can do anything! There’s not anything I wouldn’t tackle! I feel just that good! I can do anything!” Funny thing, though, she didn’t seem that excited when I asked her to prove it and carry the extra suitcase I had to buy ! 
And so, a wonderful Maui adventure, zipping through the air, comes to a close. This beautiful island is like a huge playground to those of us who love to spend precious hours and days here. It continues to capture our hearts with each new experience. We are blessed by the time we are able to spend within its shores.
More adventures coming up…..
A DAY OF ‘CULTURE’ IN HONOLULU
Well, that’s just a little play on words…actually I’m speaking about our visit to The Polynesian Cultural Center. The PCC is located on the North Shore of Oahu in the town of Laie, about 40 miles from Waikiki. I developed an avid interest in the history and culture of the Polynesian people after my first visit here when I was about 16. I’m not unusually a history buff, but ancient Hawaii has held my interest for many years. It was on my second visit to Hawaii while in college, that I first visited the Polynesian Cultural Center.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is a wonderful place to experience, with about 1,300 employees representing the island people and nations of Hawaii, Samoa, Maori New Zealand (Aotearoa), Fiji, Tonga, Easter Island, Tahiti and the Marquesas (French Polynesia)—spread over approximately 12 million square miles of Pacific Ocean. Note the map below.
The Polynesian Cultural Center, considered one of the world’s most successful cultural theme attractions, opened on October 12, 1963, to help preserve and perpetuate the more ideal aspects of Polynesian culture, and to provide work opportunities for students at the adjoining Brigham Young University.
Many of the students there are from the lesser known islands in the Pacific, and would never have the opportunity to attend a university without this program. Since opening, over 33 million visitors have been introduced to the Polynesian people, their arts and customs, and nearly 15,000 BYU-Hawaii students have helped finance their educational objectives while working as the friendly guides, performers and other PCC employees serving people from all over the world.
We had a tour bus from the center pick us up at our hotel about 10:00. Upon arrival at the center, we were divided into groups and assigned a tour guide. The PCC is divided into 8 separate areas depicting the island groups in Polynesia. With our tour guide and the rest of our group of about 25, we began our trek around the center. Each of the areas showed some of their culture, their dances, their food or their customs. And, as much as possible, they tried to replicate the differences in the type of housing or shelters they used.
TheRainbows of Paradise canoe pageant, Hawaii’s only water-borne review, takes place near Samoa and Hawaii every afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Skilled dancers show how their respective islands brought the colors of the rainbow into their lives. The pageant provides excellent daylight photography and video opportunities.
We were able to participate in several activities…playing ancient games, learning to hula, getting ‘tattoed’, tasting foods,watching the students showing some of their skills., even doing a simple weaving project. We did pretty good on everything we tried…especially the hula…yeah, they were wanting to hire us for the show! Ha! This seemed to be the activity we did the best in…pineapple, orange, and mango sherbet. On this HOT day…delicious!
This was an all day adventure. So next we were treated to a wonderful luau. Delicious food, fine entertainment, and a nice, cool place to sit and eat.
And, after we stuffed ourselves, we moved over to a huge theater to watch the main show.
Hā: Breathof Life
The Polynesian Cultural Center’s world-famous evening show, Ha-Breath of Life, is the pinnacle of the entire experience. A cast of over 100 of the PCC’s finest young dancers and musicians reprise an afternoon in the villages in a powerful 90-minute display of grace, beauty, color, exceptional choreography and unforgettable excitement.
The Polynesian Cultural Center evening show has thrilled millions of people, year after year, for the past 40 years.
The show was an excellent adaptation of just how people came to these islands and how they learned to live here with what was available. One of the best shows we saw anywhere on the trip.
After the show, they allowed about an hour for shopping, or exploring. They had opened up small kiosks all around with native crafts. We had too much time to wander around in all these shops…if you catch my drift. We caught our bus and were back at our hotel around 10:00. The bus was equipped with TVs spaced throughout, and they showed interesting documentry type programming. Sorry to say…I snoozed through some of it. It was a loooooong day!
If you ever take a trip to the island of Oahu, this would be at the top of my list of ’MUST DO’. Top quality throughout.
AND NOW, BACK TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED POSTS……..
WELL. What with all the exciting’ baby coming early’ news and all…which I am not complaining about, you understand……. my posts about our trip got put aside. And, rightly so. I mean A NEW GRANDSON certainly trumps a TRIP TO HAWAII ! There are still some things about the trip to talk about, so I’ll pick it back up. HOWEVER, Sweet Levi may break in at any time!
Let’s go to Honolulu! Honolulu and Waikiki are on the island of Oahu. This is the most populated and most commercial of the islands.
We went there mainly to see how it had changed since Joy and I were there in the early 70′s. We also wanted to go back to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We remembered it being so good back then. And, Patty really wanted to go to Pearl Harbor. We knew we had an ocean front room in Maui, so we took a city view room in Honolulu. The hotel was right on Waikiki. It is the oldest hotel on the beach, built in 1901. Much renovation, though. However they are now deemed a historic site and can make no more changes. It is a beautiful place, for sure.
Someone has to have the yucky view rooms in hotels in Paradise…and we knew ours was going to be poor. So, it was OK…we didn’t spend much time there anyway. But, just a peak at how faaaaaaaar away from the beach it was…here are Joy and I practicing our synchronized waving on our balcony…
…then we made this photo of Patty…..way down there…
And, when we got a chance, this is the site we saw….Waikiki Beach.
Joy and Patty planned their next day to be a trip to Pearl Harbor. To make it a real adventure, they took off early, caught the city bus, and found the Harbor. They were able to spend as much time as they wanted there, and then they made there way home, again on the bus. Here are some of their pictures from the day:
The Arizona Memorial…
This is the top of something that is on the Arizona. I don’t mean to sound flip, but I really have no idea what it is. I do know, however, that oil is still leaking out of it, even today. You can see the oil on top of the water.
This is a plaque on the Memorial…sorry it is hard to read…
I love the composition of this picture. Through the top of the Memorial, which floats on top of the Arizona, Old Glory still waves against the Creator’s blue sky.
And, back in the park, a picture of Joy and Patty, with the Arizona in the background.
As for me, I did a little exploring of my own. There were so many little, and BIG, shops around and in the hotel. I did a little shopping, then went back to the room and rested, and read some, and watched a movie. I needed an easy, restful day after the long trip the day before! Then we ate at The Cheesecake Factory, of all places! Joy and Patty were so tired, and it was in walking distance. But, a strange thing happened there, that has never happened to us before. We ate our meal…and NOBODY WANTED CHEESECAKE !!!! I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. We didn’t even take any with us. I don’t know…maybe it was the sun…or something. I’m hoping it doesn’t carry over to the next time I visit one of their Factories.
STAY TUNED….MORE EXCITING ADVENTURES OF *THE THREE WAHINES * TO COME…
DESPERATELY TRYING TO CATCH UP…….
SUNDAY…..4/3/11
Adam and Suzanne took Levi home on Friday. All was well, and their first night went smoothly. On Saturday, Ian came home from Birmingham and went straight to Levi’s house to play! But, Levi was just too sleepy and didn’t do much playing. He looks so tiny in Ian’s big hands!
Adam had a wedding to shoot on Saturday, but they all visited again when he got home. So Ian got another chance to visit with Butterbean. He’s just about the size of one, don’t ya think?
And, the second night was going as smoothly as the first. Until Suzanne began feeding him in the middle of the night. He began to have much trouble breathing and seemed to be choking and causing his parents much distress. They called the doctor and the nurse told them to take him to the nearest ER. They did, and we got a call. We went, and he seemed to have gotten better by the time we got there. Blood work came back fine. The ER doctor said it was probably just because he is still 4 weeks early and his lungs aren’t completely ready for our world just yet. But, they will be. So, back home and into bed around 4:00. So, so thankful. God is good!
THURSDAY…4/7/11
No, I haven’t skipped the country with my new grandson. And, no, I haven’t flown back to Maui and bought a little cottage on the beach. Would I like to do both? Well, what do you think? Anyway, this has been a very hard couple of weeks. First, I have been in lots of pain this week. I am having to rest and stay off my feet quite a bit. I really haven’t even felt like reading or writing. So, that’s the reason I haven’t been commenting…I haven’t been reading. But, I’m not gone…just trying to keep it between the lines!
Don is in Birmingham to be with Ian who had his tonsils out yesterday. He did well until last night. Started bleeding, but was able to get it stopped! Thank you, God! Don will stay with him a few days before heading home. Things are a little different inside his mouth due to his early difficulties…so we are praying he will heal quickly and without incidence.
Levi went in for his one week check up this week. Adam and Suze decided to use the pediatrician that Adam had used and the one who had found his cancer 32 years ago. He said that Levi was a healthy strong little boy…great news for us all. And, the doctors was so glad to see Adam again…one of his early success stories!
I am working with a friend to plan and decorate for a very special wedding coming up this month…with another friend coming to help out also. It will be an honor to decorate and so sweet to be in attendance. More about this in a few weeks.
Wanted to share this pic with you. I didn’t have it when I did the post on the tsunami. We bought these shirts later in the day that it actually hit! Someone got busy, didn’t they? (Patty has one too) And, by the time we left there, we saw 6 or 7 different styles!
I still have several posts to do on our trip to Maui….I’ll try to get them posted before Thanksgiving!
And, please forgive me for not keeping up with you, my friends who blog. I will get around to it! Promise!
SWIMMING LESSONS
O.K….let me be honest with you. It will help you enjoy this story much better. I do not like the ocean. Well, I like to look at it. I like to sit next to it. I like to smell it. I like to hear it. I like the way it moves. BUT….I do not like it to touch me……not even one little bit. I don’t like to be in it because there are other things in there too and I do not know where they are or what they will do or if they like me and want to touch me or if they don’t like me and don’t choose to ignore my presence.
If there is a time that I NEED to be in the ocean….I can do it. I used to get in with my children when we would visit the beach for vacations. One rule: Mom’s head does NOT go under the water.!!!!!! They did pretty good, and I went in with them enough to get good marks in the ‘mother of boys’ department. But since they got to the age where it was akin to public humiliation to be seen with your mother…..no more time in the ocean for me. Which suits me fine!
Now you know of my love for Maui…I’ve talked about it enough. But, all the times I’ve been there I have never gotten in the ocean. Which was causing me no grief because I never wanted to. It was enough to be near it and watch it. Besides I had always heard that you could not trust the currents and tides and such. ..especially there. Once, while visiting there, I went out to lay in the sun for a while. I placed my towel and other stuff far enough away from the waves breaking on the shore. I watched the water for a while and then lay down to soak up some rays. That was when it was still considered OK to lay out in the sun. After about 10 minutes, I was surrounded by a foot of ocean water all around me. All my things were floating away. Water was everywhere. It wasn’t a wave…it was the tide. And, it was coming in fast. I gathered what I could and high-tailed it (literally) to higher ground. I learned a quick lesson then….DO NOT TRUST THE OCEAN IN HAWAII! And, by the time I was ready to drive away…it was about 3 feet deep! Scary! And no sign to say BEWARE! YOU CAN DROWN ON THE SAND!!!!!
ANYWAY…Patty is a swimmer…and a very good swimmer. And, she loves to be in the water. So the first chance she got…she was IN the ocean. I tried not to think about it. Now Joy likes the water as well, and is a good swimmer. So the next day, she went with Patty. And, they got all sorts of pictures of each other in the Maui waters. They flaunted them in my face. Really, I was not jealous in the least. Besides, I had not brought a swim suit. I had no intention of needing one. No matter….they put in for me to get in the water so we could all have a picture of us in the ocean. While at a local shopping mall, I was making a purchase, and when I finished paying, Patty was waiting for me. She went in several stores and finally found a suit…ON SALE. I tried it on and it fit. As well as it could, I suppose. And, plans were made for me to get into the ocean…just for a picture. And, being the good sport that I am, I agreed.
Oh, I got a cover up and I got a hat and sunglasses, and I got ready to go. And, I went. And therein lies the story.
I learned long ago, that you should never allow yourself to be talked in to something you are not comfortable with. Things will not go as planned……bad things will happen……and happiness will not be the result. Oh…and you will regret your decision. But, I digress.
*****BTW*****I’m sure you will understand if this little post doesn’t include many pictures. Another thing I learned a long time ago…some things are better left unseen !
Just so you will know this is a true story…..here’s evidence! Yes, I do know it’s quite far away…do you blame me???
Patty and Joy are already on the beach, and they can hardly contain their enjoyment of seeing me in a very uncomfortable place. They were jumping up and down and turning flips and whooping hollering like little children! But, I said I was goint to get in and I was! I placed all my things down and took off my cover up. Why did I leave my hat on, you say? Because I had no intention of any harm coming to it…nor of it getting wet. Because, only the bottom half of me was going to be submerged. Yeah right!
This picture is taken while I am only in water up to my ankles. Notice I am still smiling!
Patty and Joy are on the beach saying, “Go further out!”… Patty was taking pics and Joy came down to the water. Anyway, I went out a little ways more. “Just a little more!” they said. And, soon I was up to my tummy. Oh, the water did feel good, too! And, I was standing there, feeling all Hawaiian Beach Babe , loving on nature, and thinking how proud I was of me. And, what a great friend and sister I was to indulge my friends this way! What a delightful little fairy tale I stepped into for a moment. 
But, the next place I stepped was not so pleasant!
The undertow was fierce and I could tell I was being pushed and pulled strongly by it. “Time to put a ‘happily-ever-after’ to this fairy tale…and get on out of here,” I thought. I knew I was pushing my luck. So, I took a step toward the shore, and immediately got pushed backward. I tried to regain my balance, but the ocean floor was not in the same place! It dropped away…and I could not find a bottom to touch! So, I started swimming toward shore. At least it’s what I like to call swimming! . I have always known I could swim if I had to and nobody believed me…but they saw that day!
Where, Oh, where was this sign?
Notice that even through this turmoil, I managed to keep my hat on my head. Patty is still making pictures!!! I swam up to where I could stand up…but something went horribly wrong. I just couldn’t stand up. Joy tried to help me…however she was laughing mighty hard, so she probably wasn’t giving her best effort!
I managed to make it to my feet , but somehow I got knocked down by another wave. And, even though I hate to admit it…this was in 2 feet of water! Anyway, I ended up on the ocean floor. …completely lying in the surf. And, the next thing I know…I was being rolled…ROLLED, PEOPLE…3…I tell you…THREE…TIMES!!!!! Everything I had was full of sand. My mouth, and lungs, and head were full of water…not to mention my eyes and nose! I was completely disoriented. AND…I could not get up and out of that water. And, my hat was gone, too.
I was begging Joy to help me…but, obviously she found this little unfortunate incidence to be a mite funnier than before! And the only thing I saw of Patty was a camera where her face should be. OH, yes. I could tell she was laughing too, even as near to drowning as I was.
Thankfully, there was a hero on the beach with his wife. He had the good sense to tell that I was really in trouble and rushed to help me. He helped me stand up and he walked me onto shore. I thanked him and thanked him and thanked him again. His wife and Patty were having themselves a good, old time at my expense. His wife said to Patty, “I’m sorry to laughing at your friend, but that was the funniest thing I have ever seen!”" OH REALLY? Then she said, “This should be sent in to Funniest Home Videos! It would win!” I started to take that little tanned , skinny girl in a bright white bikini and tell her a thing or two.
But, actually…I didn’t have any fight left in me. I was winded. I needed to sit down. I needed to cry. I needed someone to hug me and say, “Are you sure you are all right? Is there anything I can get you? I was so scared for you. Are you sure you’re OK?” But, all is heard was laughter…..on either side of me and behind me. It was not a good day to be in the ocean in Maui…or on the beach, either!
I learned many lessons that day.
Good friends can turn mean in a hurry!*****So can sisters!*****Never back into the ocean!*****Sometimes people with cameras in their hands don’t have many brains in their head!*****Sometimes people who get their scalp blistered on their first day in Hawaii get their brains blistered as well!*****Never go swimming anywhere that doesn’t have at least one hero close by.*****Don’t count on your family or good friends to be your hero!*****
And, now I post here the two bathing beauties who laughed when they should have been helping!
So, in case any of you are planning a trip to the beautiful islands of Maui, stay out of the ocean. Especially if you have friends or family with you!!!
Now, all kidding aside. I really was in trouble in the water. The undertow was so strong, and the force of the wave churning, coupled with my weak legs could have been a bad situation. Of course, I would never have been in the ocean alone. But, it was so deceiving. I would never have thought I could not walk out of an ocean. Please be careful when you swim. I truly don’t know what would have happened if I had not had the help of the man on the beach. Joy was trying to help, but she was not strong enough. And, Patty would have been there in a second once she realized I was in trouble. Hawaiian waters are notorious for changing tide patterns and undertows, and riptides and such. I will enjoy it again….but only from a distance. No matter what my companions say!
ONE MORE THING…..
Isn’t this the strangest drowning sign you have ever seen? It was in use for only a short time before being discarded for obvious reasons.
Do you see it? LOL …. is a head with 2 raised arms on either side!
I wonder if Joy and Patty had anything to do with that?
About Me
I am a Christian woman who has survived 56 years on the planet. God has blessed me with a wonderful family: husband, 3 sons and a dear DIL. I also have dear friends to keep me inspired. I am an artist of sorts and am finding my way through the great blessing of retirement. I recently retired after 20 years as a music teacher. Life is good!
My Parents
Me & Don
Gatherings
