Beach Adventure -- At Just the Right Time

                     

For part of my growing up years we lived in Panama City, Florida where my dad was pastoring. My mom instilled in me a love for the ocean surf and would walk with us along the shore in “free abandon” as she called it.  Recently I felt a longing to go sit by the ocean, hear the sound of the surf, and feel the sand on my feet. But...when, how, where?? Was now a good time?

I had heard about “Team Gleason” (a foundation started by Steve Gleason that provides adventures and equipment for those with ALS) and decided to apply and see if they might be able to fund a beach trip. My idea was to rent a motor home large enough for our whole family and go to the beach over Christmas break. They emailed back that they wished they could accommodate my request, but were running out of budget for 2021 because they had so many other requests. “Maybe try again next summer,” they said. 

However, I realized that it might be a “now or never” situation with my ALS progression as well as our adult children perhaps being unavailable to go at a later date due to having other responsibilities. So I reached out again, told Team Gleason the situation, and asked if they could fund part of the trip. They said “yes”!! They would cover the cost of the motor home rental if we could cover gas and other expenses. At that point, my loving extended family jumped in and donated for the extra expenses of the trip!!  God provided in amazing ways for this time! What a blessing!

I looked online and found well maintained, 30 foot 2014 Winnebago for rent only 45 minutes away whose owner was extremely helpful in sharing details of how to make the excursion run smoothly. Team Gleason reserved it and we were all set to go, December 21-30, 2021. I was so excited and started researching online and planning the details. 
Three days before our scheduled departure I got caught up in a dog’s leash and fell straight backward, hitting my head on the sidewalk. I praise the Lord I didn’t break anything. And despite a very sore, neck, head, and back, I determined not to let this setback stop our trip!

With excitement mounting, Kevin, Jonathan (our son-in-law), and Micah picked up the motor home, we packed it with all our needed items and headed south, stopping to pick up Nathan and his girlfriend, Darcee, in Dallas and visit a couple friends along the way.

What a way to travel! It was not the most economical, getting only 6 mpg, but quite a luxury to be able to open the fridge and make a sandwich, go to the bathroom, or take a nap in bed as we were driving along. We felt a little out of our league as we pulled into the beautiful RV park at the beach in Freeport, TX alongside many other big rigs. A new experience, but just what I had dreamed of! 

Two extra special blessings of our trip:
1)We met an amazing Christian family having their reunion at the beach who we had worship with a couple times. They came and sang Christmas carols at our RV, had special prayer for me, and even gave us a sizable money gift when we left. Meeting them and sharing with this dear family was one of the trip highlights.
2)On the way we realized our reservation to pick up a rental vehicle to accommodate eight was canceled. However, dear friends heard of our plight and drove three hours to bring us their van to use free of charge. PTL for generous friends!

It was a God-blessed, amazing time! The weather was fabulous and we practically had the beach to ourselves. It filled my heart with joy as we made rich family memories, reminiscing laughing, sharing, and enjoying each other. Riding a golf cart on the beach, having devotions on the sand at sunrise, sharing our “token” Christmas stockings in the RV, seeing dolphins while going on the ferry, having deep discussions, playing games, going to the Houston space center (kids), visiting with friends, eating delicious meals outside, playing pickleball, doing Bible pictures in the sand, traveling together and much more were all such rich, poignant family times!

My ALS progression has sped up quite a bit since my fall just before the trip. I’m now using a walker, breathing machine at night and requiring assistance with most activities. God is the only one who knows the length of my days and He is in control. I believe He can still raise me up if it is His will, but if not I can still trust Him. In the meantime, I am mindful of God’s abundant blessings and provision through Team Gleason and loving family for providing such a wonderful memory at the beach with my dear family… at just the right time.