This year we moved our family vacation from Rehoboth to Ocean City. We needed more space than a hotel "suite" could provide. We kept the same week because it is probably the least crowded week of the year. While all the Maryland and Delaware children are back at school, those of us who waited all summer are enjoying a sparser OC. Good things come to those who wait!
Getting here was a dream come true. There was barely any traffic. The ride I expected could take us as long as four hours was accomplished in less than three. Getting the key from the real estate agent was easily done. Moving into the condo was great as this place had tons of carts and lots of staff to keep the process orderly. Lots of staff. And lots of rules. And lots of staff to make sure you obey lots of rules. I'm good with it. The first night here, a fight started with a loud bunch of drinkers. The staff broke it up immediately; I think they're all ex-marines.
Anyhow, I was feeling very lucky that things were going so nicely. And in beach tradition, it was confirmed that I am lucky. First day on the beach a seagull plopped one big hunk of poop on my back. Everybody we've laughingly told the story to has said the same thing, That's really lucky. I believe it.
Today was an amazing day. Since I broke my leg five years ago, I have had issues with leg strength, bad knees, vertigo, going up and down steps, and my leg just collapsing on me. I don't know if this stuff is related to the broken leg, but I've noticed these symptoms since then. The summer I broke my leg, I, my sister, her daughters, and a friend of hers rented a condo at the beach. I couldn't go. I was wheelchair bound and it was just too difficult to get me there. I was bereft as they loaded up the car and drove to MY vacation. I didn't get to the beach once that year or the next year as I was still slowly recovering from my second broken leg.
When I did get back to annually visiting the beach, we'd stay at Rehoboth. We had a great time, but something was missing for me. I couldn't get in and out of the ocean without falling repeatedly. It terrified me when I couldn't get up without assistance. That was the end of my going into the Atlantic Ocean. It broke my heart. My beach buddy Dottie and I no longer took those bi-weekly day trips to the ocean. I resigned myself to spending the rest of my aquatic life in a pool.
But I was lucky. Really lucky today. All the conditions were right and I ventured into the sea. No deep dips in the sand. Long gaps of time between each smacking wave so I could avoid my knees being attacked and me falling over. Before I knew it, I was bobbing on the waves. I was spitting out salt water. My sister taught my nieces how to body surf and I was able to join them. It was heaven. And like I used to do when I was young, I stayed in the water for hours. I am so thankful to have enjoyed this experience! I was convinced that I was never, ever getting back together with my mermaid self. But today, I swam in the ocean. For me, this was a miracle. Can you imagine the joy of doing something you love that you thought was forever lost to you? To quote Cathy from The Big C , "Lucky me."
But, I even got luckier! Dee and I visited the casino. It was either that or just throw money off the balcony and into the fly-infested wind. We figured the casino would be more fun. I actually won $30!! Me, a winner. Imagine that.
It's supposed to rain on Wednesday. Oh well. As the saying goes, even a bad day at the beach is better than a good day at the office. And how!
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