Friday, August 18, 2006

Life's A Beach.

This was taken last week. One of the days that my neice, Kayla was feeling well enough to go out for a while. Some days the chemo knocks her on her butt, but this day wasn't one of them. We took her out for supper and for a walk around the man-made lake near the hospital. Here she is with me and her dad, my brother-in-law. She had a chuckle at the ducks and their antics. The fresh air put a bit of colour in those pale cheeks and best of all she escaped the confines of three walls and a curtain for a while. In July, My Mother-in-law and her sister, went to visit Kayla. When they came home they brought Kaylas brothers and little sister home with them. They will be here untill the end of the month. It gives them a break from all this worry. Also Kaylas Mom and Dad can spend more time focusing on Kayla.
So What do you do with three kids from the praries? You take them to the beach of course!
Here, at Spanish Banks, my hubby Keith, instructs Kaylas two brothers and another nephew, in the fine arts of sand-castle construction, with a little demo from my gal, Heidi. At first, these inland kids, were disgusted by the seaweed and the crab shells on the tide line! Eewie! And that salty water made them gag! But it wasnt long before they were rolling in the sand and then jumping in the waves, just like west coast kids! They even found a large branch to erect and made a moat that they filled with water. While they were swimming, not far off the shore, a seal popped up about eight feet from Heidi! It took a little look at them, maybe figured they were too big to eat, and swam off. We saw another seal later, but while the kids were on dry land!
On the left is Kaylas little sister Lexi, with another local cousin, who is close to her age. These girls took turns burying eachother in the warm sand. This is one of my favorite photos of the day. Lexi collected a pail of seashells and pretty rocks for Kayla. She talked about how next time she comes to the beach, she wants to bring her sister too.
In the next shot, the girls went for a walk with their Great Aunt to search for 'Patrick' the starfish from that popular childrens cartoon. They didnt find him, but never the less, enjoyed the hunt!
You can see the city of
Vancouver there in the distance. This beach backs onto the University of British Columbia endowment lands. All trees and cliffs. There are bald eagles living in those trees. While the kids were swimming, a huge eagle was circling overhead. Suddenly it plummeted down into the water and came up with a silver fish in its talons. It is incredible to be so close to the city, yet so close to nature at the same time.
It took two carloads to get all nine of us there. We got back to Maple Ridge by 7:30, where I promptly showered and went for a nap to ready myself for a night shift. Yes, I know, I am crazy, but I want to squeeze in what precious time I have with these little ones before they head back to Edmonton. When they go home they will regalle Kayla with their adventures and let her know that they can't wait to come back next year with her.
A special hello to CHANA. She is planning on bringing half a dozen kids from the Calgary for their first visit to the Sea. Hope you enjoy these photos girl, did they give you a taste of things to come?

14 comments:

Dick said...

I enjoyed your photos, especially the one with the city in the background. I will go to your Dad's blog to check out that photo of the Tacoma Narrows bridge right after this comment.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Life is a beach. Nice images and prose.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for returning vist. Wish to see you around more.

Louisiana said...

My goodness i'm feeling special today. I got such a wonderful comment, get my blog link posted and a special hello in such a wonderful post...thank you honey, mighty nice of you.

I'm so sorry to hear about your niece Kayla. i do hope she goes into remission soon. i must go through your archives and read up on her story.

I think it is most wonderful of you to have taken the other girls back with you. It is such a great gift for everyone around. The girls seem to be having alot of fun. How kind of them to hope to bring Kayla back to their next visit to the beach. Let's pray that happens soon.

My youngest daughter was diagnosed with Linear Scleroderma when she was 4ish..To make a long story short, she is a walking miracle. They do happen all around us. The way things were going for her, it looked like the future was full of sadness and struggles..and although the road has been no walk in the park, i'm glad to say that she is healthy, in remission, off all meds and no deformity..Her affected area was the neck..Amazing, the skin has soften tons and grown with her..No one had ever recorded that before..They had told us that once the skin was affected it would stay as such. Nope, not for Keka. As dark as some days might seem, don't loose hope. Hope, faith, love and most of all God, are all it takes to make the most incredible changes. If you saw my little girl, you would have to question if she had such a horrible illness..She is a monkey, and happy..not perfect in health but wonderful enough.


The pictures are inviting...must show them to Cuppojoe. It looks like a very nice, clean, uncrowed beach to take the kids to and let them play their hearts out...

And talking about Joe, i saw that you have his blog linked too. You read his blog? small world isn't it.

Have a wonderful wknd, keep on having fun.
Will link your blog as well, glad to have made a new friend.

gal artist said...

I am glad Kayla got to get out from the confines of a hospital room. She is such a pretty girl, my heart goes out to her, she is the same age as my own daughter and I can't imagine what it must be like for her parents. She and all of you are in my thoughts and prayers daily.

I did enjoy your pictures, what beautiful scenery.

*hugs*

molly said...

Who can help but be touched by the pictures of Kayla. I hope her treatments go well and she returns to good health. Your pictures are wonderful, they capture the enjoyment of the children as they play in the sand. Loved them. It's great when you remember to take the camera with you to catch those special moments. Seems like I always forget.

Monica said...

Great post, Susan. I remember when Joshua was in the hospital that one time Julia kicked up a fuss and wanted to know what they were doing to Bubby so she went to the Hospitality House and stayed with me for two weeks. She was only 9 but it was a good thing for her because she wasn't "scared of the unknown" after that because she knew what the place and environment was like for him.

But yeah, the getting away from it all is great for the kiddos too and I LOVE the beach picture and the picture of you with Kayla and her dad. And lookie there, he has a friend just like me...a walker.

Anonymous said...

Glad the young lady got out and about! Nice pics, especially the city in the background. Summer is slippin' away far too quickly as usual...

carol said...

I'm so glad you gave the kids an opportunity to have a day at the beach, I know they would have fun. Such a good aunty, keep it up.

Anonymous said...

That's such a nice picture of you and Kayla. Dispite everything she is going through she still is smiling.

The beach pictures are great. Did you let the kids bury you in the sand...lol.

Have a nice Sunday!

Politically Homeless said...

Love that beach picture!

August95 said...

What a great post. What a great Auntie too.

I really think you are a special Lady. Hugs.

onedayatatime said...

My prayers go out to Kayla and her family (extended as well). Being a cancer patient as well, I know how confining the hospital can be at times. It was nice that you and Kayla and her dad were able to get out to the lake for a little while. What an amazing young lady, she's still smiling thru all of this :)

Anonymous said...

I love the west coast!! And I loved your photos. I will remember Kayla in my prayers.