Day 26

Monday. July 8th.  Our last day to the beach. Grandma packed up lunch and waters. Bless her. We loaded up, just our family and Grandma. We drove north to Smyra beach for a blissful morning of wave chasing, sand digging, pelican watching, wave riding, and sunscreen.  John palled around with a boy about his own age with a wake board of his own. They rode the waves together for quite a while.  Adam, still afraid of the water, cried when I made him go in, kept me in his monkey hold, and insisted we dig in the sand.  We ate lunch above the beach near a splash pad which we used before lunch. As we prepared and ate lunch, a woman walked up to the table. She stood stone faced leaning over the cooler as Seth prepared a sandwich. Grandma, who was sitting next to the cooler and across from us, said "Would you like a sandwich?" "Yes" was the reply.  Seth pulled the fixings out and before he could begin, she ordered, "Mustard, no mannAz, three sliced of ham.  Do you have cola?" Nope just water. She took the food and a bottle water, walked to a table not far and enjoyed her lunch while watching the waves crash on the beach below. When she was finished, she wandered back and asked for a dollar. Swim suits. No cash. Sorry.  Before she was quite gone, one of our children asked, "Why did she do that? Why does she want money?" Grandma answered that's how some people get money.  It was a funny situation. Awkward. Casual. Normal for some. Curious for others.

Home we went to Grandma's house. Dana, ever a good woman, rushed off to take a friend to the doctor. My sister called in a dither. Pregnancy was taking it's emotional toll and she was a week away from the due date. We made her list of things to do. She felt better.  Our children played and prepared for cousins who were driving down from North Carolina that very day. When they arrived, a fantastic game of Fox and Bunnies, a game Uncle Morgan made up years ago. It is now standard fare and all men are required to play.  All the cousins love it and most participate.