“Nothing is ever really lost to
us as long as we remember it.” - L.M. Montgomery
--
At the sound of whistles blown and gunshots fired in the air, we
were off like thousands of ants running out of an ant hill we flooded the
boards of Cape May New Jersey. We continued along Ocean Drive, over 4
drawbridges through the fishing port of Lower Township onto the Wildwoods and
along the full length of the boardwalk and then through Middle Township on into
the island communities of Stone Harbor and Avalon finishing in Sea Isle City.
The wind was fierce as the sand was blowing and clung to the sweat
on my skin with every mile accomplished. My mind drifted as I began to
reminisce of visiting each shore point with my family when I was younger.
The smell of fudge and Johnson’s popcorn, the taste of Curley’s fries,
Mack and Manco’s pizza and Shelly’s chocolate ice cream. A few more miles
down as I continued my reminiscing remembering the sounds of laughter, sea
gulls, amusement park rides, arcade games at Gateway 26 and of course my
whining and screaming “daddy carry me” after we walked the full length of the
Wildwoods boardwalk and had to venture back. That few mile stretch from
the crest to the north end seemed longer than the yellow brick road journey
from The Wizard of Oz as my legs were short at four years old and I was tired,
so after much pleading with a few tears shed daddy did carry me all the way
back.
More miles down as I continued to remember the sights, sounds and
feelings of visiting the shore points when I was younger.
As I approached the final mile ultimately crossing the finish
line, I sit here writing reminiscing of the greatest sight, sound and feeling
of my times at the Jersey Shore. The sight was my Mother excitedly waving
to me, the sound was her voice yelling “yay Danielle” as she clapped and the
feeling was the hug we shared after completing my first 26.2 mile journey.
--
This past weekend, Hurricane Sandy devastatingly took away most of
those shore points and early September 2011 when my Mother passed she left
countless folks devastated, but no one could ever take away the memories
encountered, shared, loved and remembered. Times of devastation bring
upon unwanted and scary memories, but also bring hope and opportunity to
regroup, rebuild and create new memories and happy times. Each memory
whether it be happy or devastating offer a message and just like the few mile
stretch of the Wildwoods Boardwalk as a little kid, the possibilities and
opportunities are endless and we must never forget what was, but simultaneously
anticipate with excitement of what will be.
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