Thursday, March 22, 2012

I LEFT A TEAR IN THE OCEAN

I left a tear in the ocean

We have a family condo at Ocean City MD.  The reason we have that condo is because my sister in law Darylanne wanted it.  Steve's dad could never resist Darylanne.  I was not so keen on the beach.  I wanted a place in the mountains on a lake.  She won.  That was ok.  I remember the day that we went to see it for the first time.  It was beyond my wildest dreams. I could not believe we were getting this penthouse condo smack dab on the ocean. With private porches on both sides of the ocean and bay.   I would have been happy with a trailer 5 miles away from the ocean. I couldn't believe it.
We have had that condo for 18 years now.

Tragically twelve years ago Darylanne died of a rare form of pancreatic cancer when she was 42.  She requested that her ashes be scattered in the ocean in front of the condo.
We carried out her wishes.
So every time I go to the beach the first thing I do when I get out of the car is run to the beach and look out at that vast ocean and I say hello. I tell her how much I miss her. And I was so grateful that I had her as my sister in law. She was my friend.

I leave a tear in the ocean.


So Lulu sayssss "That's enough of that!!"
Let's go to the parade and have some fun!!!
How can I resist those eyes!!
OC MD St Patrick Day Parade!!


Love  all the floats

Every parade has to have a man with a funny hat on a 3 wheeler with a camel on the back. Right??

And leprechauns

Green everywhere!!

Children on floats!

Loved this ladies enthusiasm.

Old Fire Engines

Raven Fans

Salty Pirate Girls

Beads Everywhere.
Steve did manage to snag me some beads.

Kids in cars.

More Fire Engines.

Fishing!

I want this old Police Car!!!
Awesomeness!!!

The dog need to see over the people.
Dahhhhh....

This is a really cool dude!!!

Who is this handsome Greek god!!
Be still my heart!!!
He still gets me.... in every way.

Life goes on.....

Live every day like it is your last.

Don't forget to visit everyone at Paint Party Friday!

 

31 comments :

Christine said...

Lovely tribute to your sis in law, so sorry!

And what a fun parade, thanks for sharing, Heather!

Becca said...

Beautiful painting! Lovely tribute... :-) your ocean place sounds magnificiant!

Helen Campbell said...

Wonderful painting and tribute to your sister in law. It looks like the parade was fun also. Happy PPF! Helen @ Natures Walk

Tracey FK said...

That is such a great tribute to your sister in law and I have to say the photos made me laugh... a camel and a piggy backed dog... doesn't get much better than that!!!

Robin Panzer Art said...

Your painting and your tribute are both touching and wonderful. I love the green eyes and the bird! But I have to say LuLu is the one that stole my heart!! Happy PPF! #25 Robin Panzer Art Studio 33

Cameron said...

That beautiful painting and the story behind it are so beautiful...and touching...
I just love the softness of her face and eyes!

Your condo sounds like pure bliss...what a wonderful place to return to year after year!

Netty said...

Beautiful tribute piece of art and so loving that gorgeous bird.
Thank you for sharing all those photos. Happy PPF and enjoy the weekend, Annette x

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

What a fun parade! I'm so sad that's not a tradition where I live. Beautiful portrait!:)

Geckostone said...

Wow, what a fun post Heather! Reminds me of our parade, only everyone drenched in the rain but had fun anyway!Your painting is beautiful and that part of your post brought a tear to my eyes, what a lovely sentiment to your sis in law!Hugs, Deb

Diane said...

What a beautiful painting and tribute to your sister-in-law. It's wonderful to know that she's in a place that she loved.
AND....awesome parade!!

carol l mckenna said...

yes, a lovely painting tribute to your sister-in-law ~ and great photos too ~thanks, wishing you a great weekend ~ namaste, carol ^_^

Debbie said...

Beautiful painting and story. So fun to see all of the parade pictures!

carlarey said...

Lovely painting, and how sweet that you always go and say hello. I know you are glad that your sister in law got to spend so many happy days in that condo.

Parades always make me well up, I'm such a dolt about them that even your pictures made my throat get a little tight.

Anonymous said...

so sad your sister left us too early, too have such a special place to hold her memories is wonderful. beautiful photos!

Chris said...

A stunning painting and a beautiful tribute to your Sister in law.
what an awesome parade too.
This is my first time on PPF so I look forward to getting to know you :D
hugs
Chris x

Katie Jeanne Wood said...

Oh, what a lovely painting, Heather. I'm sorry for your loss. It never gets easier, doesn't it?

The condo sounds beautiful. I grew up in the mountains, and prefer the ocean and flat land. :) You have to admit, the ocean is much prettier than a graveyard. I'm so glad you can visit her there.

angelself said...

Awesome painting! Hugs, Kathryn

Arlene said...

Heather, The condo on the ocean sounds wonderful. I love the ocean, but living in south central Missouri I only get to see the ocean when we plan a vacation. Such a nice tribute to your sister-in-law. As always I love your art.

WrightStuff said...

I'm glad you can enjoy happy memories too - this is a lovely tribute to someone special.

ANNE said...

Sweet painting and thanks for the parade!!

xox

Faye said...

Heather, what a touching tribute to your sil. The painting looks like a self portrait and it is beautiful. I enjoyed seeing the St. Patrick's pix too.

Anne Manda said...

Lovely tribute, beautiful painting! She has soulful eyes and ocean freshness, love the colors! Happy PPF !

*jean* said...

beautiful tribute to your SIL...great parade shots, we have a huge parade in St. Paul...i don't go anymore cuz it's crazy...looks like much fun was had! happy PPF!

Ginny said...

Heather your painting was beautiful. Your sister-in-law was very lucky to be so loved.
I grew up in NJ and the St. Patrick's Day parades were so special. I do miss them. Thank you for sharing your parade!

Susan Houseman said...

Heather, I love the painting and how you remember your sister in law. The parade photo are just great.

Susan Houseman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Renee said...

What a touching tribute! The ocean penthouse sounds wonderful.

Beyond to Better Things said...

Beautiful story and thanks for sharing all the pics, too. Love your art, it's amazing! Wish I'd started my sketching sooner than 50 years old!
I leave a tear in the ocean, too. Finally living in Florida now, just minutes away. I have such awesome memories of my mom (c 1923-2011) & I walking the beach when I was a child, picking up shells. She taught me to see the ocean as how big God is compared to all my problems! I'll never forget that! God bless...Jewels (Juliana Heintz Pace on FB)

Anonymous said...

It's sad to loose a family member at such a young age, but she would want you to have fun at the parade. Your painting is full of emotion and very beautiful. Have a great week. Thanks for visiting me! :-)

HeARTworks said...

I love great stories like that! Even if your sister in law died I am sure she lives on and is enjoying herself! How wonderful that she left a mark on your heart! You are blessed!

JKW said...

This is a beautiful story. 42 years ago I went through Ocean City MD from Surfside SC vacation to visit aunt in NJ and then back home to IL and I never forgot it. I live in So. FL now; happily I can see the ocean whenever I want. . . but then I'm a water baby. The pic is a beautiful tribute. Blessings, Janet PPF