Last weekend I was surrounded by survivors... not the kind that sleep outside and eat bugs and face other challenges they take on voluntarily, but the real kind of survivors... the ones who encounter huge obstacles along their life road they didn't expect and don't want, but who keep going, head down during the toughest part, shoulders braced, forging on through it all, refusing to give in or give up... or lose one drop of their smiles, their laughter, their joie de vivre.
For the 11th consecutive year I ran away from home to the beach just as Texas summer turns to autumn - my favorite time of year because of the blue skies, mornings cool enough for jogging, days warm enough for bikinis, and water temperatures that soothe your sun-kissed skin... not too hot, not too cold.
It started out as an escape for me and my over-volunteering, stressed out Lago friends, as well as a way to stay connected to Nancy, who'd had to move away from our small town. We missed her! Over the years our numbers rose and fell, but the same core remained... me, Mary Kay, Conni, and Nancy... and except for one year when nearly 50 Lago women converged on this small coastal town, I'd say we averaged 10 women who regularly ran away to the coast.
Last year, believe it or not, we had trouble filling the spaces, so this year I opened it to my Deer Park Divas... my high school BFFs... and several of them jumped on the chance. The other core members invited their friends and family as well, and so that's how I ended up communing with almost 30 women.
I worried about being spread too thin, trying to spend time with each "group". I worried that the different "groups" wouldn't come together...
The thing is, despite coming from different directions... despite their different ages and backgrounds... these women were able to find common ground: life, along with its trials and tribulations, its joys and wonders.
I was with women who had survived (or were in the midst of the battle): the too-soon loss of parents, siblings, husbands, and even children; breast cancer and Parkinson's; loved ones addicted to drugs or alcohol; abuse or serious illness of their children; unfaithful spouses; divorce; job lay-offs; destruction of their homes by fire. Some were caught in the suffocating squeeze between caring for children and caring for parents, or trying to create one family from two. Some were helping to raise their grandchildren.
Ah, what a downer weekend, right? Wrong. You obviously don't know anything about women...
It was a weekend full of laughter, food, dancing, and yes, some heart-to-hearts... a very humbling experience for me, though... these women are my heroes. So strong. So compassionate. So funny. The next time I start feeling wimpy and woe-is-me, whining over nothing, I'll think of them, the challenges they've overcome, and all of their laughter this weekend...
Ready? Here are a few scenes from the 11th Annual Port A Runaway
Thursday evening...water, sand, sun and a view...
Look where I am! Port A!
A sunset walk on the beach...
Watch for surprises and small gifts...
The sweet faces of friends...
Throughout the weekend, there was lots of talking (we're women!)...
Hanging out on the beach, of course...
Dressing up and going out... first dinner near the water...
...and then dancing, on a dance floor we had (almost) all to ourselves...
...also some funny games (don't ask - trust me, you don't want to know!)...
But before we knew it, it was Sunday morning... time to clean up, pack up, gather all together once more to enjoy Mary Kay's gingerbread pancakes and a last mimosa, say our goodbyes, and head home. Until we run away again next year.
The question is, can we wait that long???
Guess we have to. Sigh. Thanks again for another beautiful weekend! Till next year...
Want to see more scenes from my weekend at the coast? Click HERE.
