I’m guessing that a lot of you have had to cancel vacations by the ocean this summer. When you watch the news it seems like everybody is rushing to the beaches, but we know that is not true. Many of us are staying safe at home and avoiding crowds. So for those of us opting to pass up those coastal vacations, this one’s for you.
A big chunk of my childhood was spent going to the beach in California, before we moved here to Colorado. My mom was born in Southern California, when Orange County actually had orange groves. My grandparents met in a coastal community there in the 20s, and they would go on dates to watch the sunset and sing songs in harmony while sitting in the car enjoying the view. They lived in Hermosa Beach, and later my family lived in Hermosa Beach in the 60s. So there are deep family roots there. It took a long time to get used to watching a sunset over the Rocky Mountains, instead of a sunset over the ocean.
In the 80s I had a cassette tape with the sound of the waves. I would go to sleep with that cassette tape playing. Once a year I make a pilgrimage to the healing waters, and I try to have a day to just sit and look out at the water, put my toes in the sand, and listen to the waves. Then I sleep with the window open and the sound of the ocean puts me to sleep.
My most exciting moments by the ocean have been when I have an encounter with wildlife. One morning at dawn I watched a pod of dolphins swimming all the way up the coast along the shoreline. I’ve had amazing encounters with sea turtles in Hawaii, and I am always thrilled to see whales just off the coast, migrating or tending to their playful calves. When the kids were young and we visited Paul’s family in Hawaii, we’d go snorkeling at dawn with his octogenarian aunt and uncle at Hanauma Bay.
From what I hear, we are the only fabric store in Colorado that buys ocean, beach, Hawaiian and lighthouse fabrics. That’s because I know we all leave a piece of our heart at the coast when we have to pack up our beach towels and sunscreen and head home. I still like to listen to the sound of the waves before I go to sleep…especially at times like this. How about you?
sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana and Paul
You feel about the ocean and the healing waters contained there like I feel about our Rocky Mountains. It seems spending time in our purple mountain majesties has a calming and curative effect on me. Also, my beloved koi bring out a calming and soothing way in my heart. I go out to my little pond and feed my five 30 year old + koi. Their serenity brings that feeling to my day and to my heart.
Please keep up the good work that you do.