August 14: I Know Who You Are!

Today's post is dedicated to Lucy, my childhood friend. I haven't seen her since Andrew was an infant, so, more than 30 years. Because she lived in Charlevoix only during the summer months, we became pen pals. I only lived in Michigan for four years, then we continued to write. As we grew older we would hear from each other at Christmas. She moved to Florida to go to college and she stayed for the beaches, I think. She was a really good swimmer and diver. She became a teacher so she could still go to the beach in the summer months. Just kidding, I'm just guessing. I know that she's enjoyed her teaching career as much as I have. She married Kevin and they had a daughter, Abby, who is in her last year of college. I'm sure she's just at talented ans smart as her mother. I enjoyed visiting her and reconnecting so much. Her hug and smile were so genuine. I will definitely stay connected. I've loved my time in Ormand and Daytona Beach.

"Happiness is...meeting up with old friends after a long time apart." - facebook.com

"We talked about old times and it made me smile because you didn't forget." - Unknown

"The people who are meant to be in your life will always gravitate back towards you, no matter how far they wander." - Unknown

Shells I collected when we were beach combing.

Bobby found a great car seat for himself... my cooler.

The northern end of the peninsula.

Yep, still raining.

Is it time to go into the air conditioning yet? We be city dogs.

Dog park

And now, is it time?

As I got up this morning and put on my bra I knew I was not going out in the sun. My bra was scratching at my sunburn. So, I leisurely got ready, picked up some breakfast items from the worst hotel breakfast buffet ever. Then went to Starbucks to grab a Chai latte. The boys really enjoyed the other dogs at the Riviera Dog Park on Thursday, we decided to go back there for our morning excursion. This weekend we've met three dogs named Lucy, weird right? Lucy the beagle at Riviera; Lucy the Australian Doodle at Ponce's Dog Park, and Lucy the miniature poodle at the hotel dog run. Jean-Luc got to run after the ball for a little while. He's getting old and slowing down. I think he just pretends to like it for my sake.

After that I decided to try my friend Lucy again. When I went to the door and asked if she was there she didn't know who I was. Apparently she had two students with the last name, Dieppa, (This makes sense because any relatives with the last name Dieppa are on the east coast, either Boston or Florida because of the Puerto Rico side of Ben's family.) so she assumed I was their mother. It wasn't until I came in, sat down and said something about California that she realized I was Laurie Wheeler. "I know who you are!" She said. It was really very funny. We reminisced and caught up on families. As individuals we always focus on our own troubles and life events, that's human, but our friends and family are getting through their own troubles The more siblings you have the more complicated it can be - and Lucy has two sisters and three brothers. I've had my own health issues and so has she. I'm so glad she was able to get through her health issues so we were able to reconnect.

Then

and now.

When I left Lucy's home we went to the northern end of the peninsula and did some beach combing. It was sprinkling and started to thunder. The dogs do not like the water. When they accidentally got their feet wet, Jean-Luc acted at mad at me. He kept sitting down and pouting, until I said that it was time to go. Then he was practically running to the steps up the beach. Weird dog.

This evening. I packed up, got Chipotle for us for dinner. I'm going to bed early. I want to get up and see the sunrise off the east coast. Someone told me that it would be beautiful. Tomorrow I head west. :0)