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Nurture Parenting

Salt Water

The Cure for anything is SALT WATER: sweat, tears, or the sea.

I recently read this quote by Isak Dinesen from one of the mommies I follow on Instagram. I had “a moment” when I read it. It was like one of those moments when you’re listening to a song and you realize this song is telling YOUR story, it’s like a page taken from YOUR book, and it speaks to your soul so much that you are sure to play it over and over again-all the while, belting out the lyrics and singing along, knowing that singing it out loud is somehow helping you speak your truth. Music can do that. It has even moved me to tears at some points in my life. This little ditty…this quote was just like that, and it caused me to pause. And it was a good time to hit the pause button.

The quote reminded me that the pain or challenges in my life can always be overcome. Problems can always be dealt with, prayed upon, and with some help from “The Big Guy up Above,” somehow turned around. Actually, sometimes, all it really takes is a little perspective and a little time. That, a good cry, a good work out or a great visit to the beach can change your out look on whatever situation you seem to be dealing with at the moment.

So, it was a wonderful treat when our friends invited us for a weekend at the beach.  I’m not hurting. I’m not going thru any particular challenges right now. In fact, LIFE IS PRETTY GOOD.  My kids are healthy. My husband is happy, and my parents are still here visiting with us from the U.S. All is right in my world. I just haven’t been to the beach in a while and any opportunity to go is a good one.

We started our weekend with lunch in Nasugbu. Kainan sa Dalampasigan

Our friends asked us to join them in a weekend visit to Canyon Cove. For those of you not familiar with the resort, it’s in Nasugbu. Nasugbu is about a two hour drive from Manila. It’s easy to get to, and is a casual, family friendly resort that has many facilities and activities for you to take advantage of. You can visit their website here.

Walking the beach when Gelli was asleep for her nap was my quiet time.

Of course this was what I wanted to take advantage of…

Calming little waves

And the little waves that would kiss the beach while I was walking alone, taking in the smell of the ocean and the warmth of the sun. I was so thankful that our friends had asked us to join them. It was a weekend that helped me kick off my week of Thanksgiving properly.

I was thankful for the sunset.

Sunset over the water at Canyon Cove

I was thankful for belly laughs from a baby who was enjoying the beach and the salt water for the first time.

Gelli LOVED the water and the sand.

I was thankful for the kids who brought two sets of parents together.

Salt Water Kiddos

But most of all, I realized on that Saturday morning just how lucky I was. Just how special I was because Gelli chose our family. You see, when Gelli was first born, I thought I might have done something wrong to deserve the fate of raising a child with special needs. In my heart of hearts BEFORE she was born I always believed that our God was a loving God and that He didn’t punish people. But after she was born I questioned that belief. I questioned quite a lot more than just that, to be honest.  I thought back to the moments after she was born while I was there at the beach. I remembered how I felt when the doctor delivered the news of Trisomy 21 and how I was devastated and depressed. When I was reflecting on that time that feels like it was so long ago, I heard Gelli’s belly laughs  and I thought to myself that I had it all wrong in those first few moments after her birth. People say hindsight is 20/20. Fifteen months later, I realize that I must have done something pretty “right” to have been gifted with such a wonderful little girl. I have come full circle. Maybe Gelli was laughing so hard because she already knows the healing properties of salt water?

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Comments

  1. Uncle Paulie says

    November 27, 2012 at 12:49 pm

    Beautiful like your heart

  2. Marilyn Narson says

    November 28, 2012 at 9:28 pm

    Beautifully written and felt.

  3. neva | manilamomy says

    December 1, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    i remember telling dan during that first week that we were told by noah’s doctors that they had suspicions that noah had DS, that on noah’s first birthday we would go to the beach and let the air and water heal us. i was also hoping that by that time, everything would be alright and that noah would be well enough and strong enough to go on a road trip or a plane ride.

    i’m so happy the trip to the beach with your lovely family and friends was healing for you 🙂 i loved reading your post! now i’m much more excited about our own trip to the beach soon!

    • michelle says

      December 7, 2012 at 5:38 pm

      Hi Neva! Thanks for reading and sharing. I know what the first week was like for us after Gelli was born so I understand the emotional and physical stress that you might have been going thru with Dan. How insightful for you to already have been imagining the healing that will take place after you have brought Noah home and cared for him.

      I can only imagine how wonderful it will be when you are able to take all your boys to the beach when Noah is ready.

      Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could make regular visits to the beach?

  4. Hello Balloon says

    December 4, 2012 at 7:54 am

    Enjoyed this post… Wonderful insights! Let’s do a beach trip someday too! And maybe we can even bring Dug the Pug? Lol.

    • michelle says

      December 4, 2012 at 11:17 pm

      Would super love going to the beach with you guys! Where you thinking? I think Gelli would get a kick out if Dug at the beach! Have you brought him to the beach before?

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Do you share parts of your faith here?
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