Community Chat

[Sabatini2]

gidget, that's a very interesting question! It sparked a memory for me.

Back when I was a young mom in Orange County, CA, there were 2 kids who waited at the same bus stop as my children did. They were a sad little twosome who lived w/ their parents at an (infamous) down at the heels motel in the city. Eventually they'd come in to have breakfast with us before the bus came, and would stay through suppertime after school.

One day I asked them if they'd like to go to the beach, not knowing that even though they lived in So CA, they'd never laid eyes on the ocean.

Initially, they were terrified of such a vast, open space, but after awhile, with trepidation, began to slowly mince their way towards the water. What was so heartwarming, were the reactions of some of the people around us who realized what was going on. Their fascination was contagious! Some young surfers even showed them how to catch minnows and dig for hermit crabs.

Great day. Thanks for the memory, gidget.

Edited for spelling

[Lotus]

On 6/22/2014 lulu2 said:

I went to college in Wisconsin. I had many friends who'd not seen the ocean, just as I'm sure many "coasters" have never seen a Great Lake.

The Atlantic is across the road for us. It's the first thing I see when I look out our bedroom window.

Jelly.

I've seen a couple of Great Lakes.....Michigan when I was in Chicago and I can't remember if I saw Erie or Ontario or both. I also experienced the St. Lawrence Seaway and one of the lock systems. That was amazing to see!!

[Lotus]

Great story Sabatini!!!

[seattlegirl98026]

I'm with azterry! The ocean (and the sound) is my ""zen"" place. Just love being out on/in the water.

[RetRN]

I live in the Midwest, but have seen the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. If you haven't I see no reason for concern, there are many beautiful pictures of them.

[Sabatini2]

On 6/22/2014 Lotus~ said:

Great story Sabatini!!!

Thanks, Lotus. But it doesn't have a happy ending.

They moved away shortly thereafter, and we lost touch. I had no idea where they'd gone.

Fast forward about ten or 12 years. There was a knock at the door, and a very rough couple were standing there on the porch - the kind that you'd be afraid to let into the house for fear of being robbed, or worse. It was them, and they wanted to tell me that the happiest time of their life was back when they were little kids, and would come to our house. They'd remembered the times we'd decorated Christmas and Easter cookies, and that day we all went to the beach.

The years hadn't been kind to them. Poor things. God only knows what they'd lived through. It was pretty heartbreaking to see it.

Don't mean to have sidetracked your thread, gidget.

[jubilant]

I am also from the Midwest and never saw the ocean until I was in my 50's. I have still never seen it on a clear day. I have seen the Great Lakes.

[Preds]

On 6/22/2014 azterry! said:

On 6/22/2014 deepwaterdotter said:

On 6/22/2014 Preds said:

I know plenty of people that have never seen the ocean. I've never seen the Grand Canyon or a "flat" land like maybe Iowa.

After you've seen your first cornfield, you've seen 'em all.

LOL!

I grew up in corn country so I get you. There is a certain beauty to miles of corn growing, but i wouldn't say it's one of the Seven Wonders!

Hahaha .... that's what our friends said. They come down once a year and are amazed at the hills and valleys. To us, they are not hills. Find hills in West Virginia and Gatlinburg. LOL

[Lotus]

On 6/22/2014 Sabatini2 said:

On 6/22/2014 Lotus~ said:

Great story Sabatini!!!

Thanks, Lotus. But it doesn't have a happy ending.

They moved away shortly thereafter, and we lost touch. I had no idea where they'd gone.

Fast forward about ten or 12 years. There was a knock at the door, and a very rough couple were standing there on the porch - the kind that you'd be afraid to let into the house for fear of being robbed, or worse. It was them, and they wanted to tell me that the happiest time of their life was back when they were little kids, and would come to our house. They'd remembered the times we'd decorated Christmas and Easter cookies, and that day we all went to the beach.

The years hadn't been kind to them. Poor things. God only knows what they'd lived through. It was pretty heartbreaking to see it.

Don't mean to have sidetracked your thread, gidget.

Your story really touched my heart.....it just goes to show how far a little kindness goes. You left a footprint on their hearts.....and I bet you never realized how meaningful your act of kindness would end up being.

Hugs.

[brewhaha]

On 6/22/2014 Preds said:

I know plenty of people that have never seen the ocean. I've never seen the Grand Canyon or a ""flat"" land like maybe Iowa.

I think seeing the Grand Canyon is something you do on a vacation. Living near the ocean is more of a lifestyle.