By Brenda Cannon Henley
It is so cold, damp, and grey here at my house today that my happy, dancing flowers and animals in the kitchen window are barely stretching. In fact, while washing up the breakfast dishes, they made me tired, too. Usually I get a lot of fun out of watching the antics of these little solar powered creations. My very favorite is the palm tree, waving its happy branches, because it takes me to a place I love.

While I was reading my first emails of the day, three different friends said, “Oh, I need to be at your beach today.” One is celebrating her birthday in Houston and she wrote, “I would so like to be at the beach today to celebrate my special day.” I wish she could click her heals and magically be sitting on the sand with her toes in the surf — if it is not too cold, even on Southeast Texas beaches.

Some of you will get this right away — others, not so much. I confess I have never understood anyone who did not love the sand, surf, and sea, not to mention the fish, birds, and other nautical life. I love the Gulf in any season, rain or shine, storms or a peaceful day in the sun. I once knew a man who absolutely hated the sand and the salt in the ocean water. He constantly cleaned himself up and spent most of his valuable time brushing the sand off of his body and clothing. And, to get the car interior dirty — well, that was a cardinal sin. Sad to say, he never learned to love the water.

But that may be the very problem. I don’t think many have to learn to love the beach. It is born in them to love it and they never stray far from what brings them pleasure. No matter what is wrong with me, or what issues and problems I face, just getting to the beach makes it all better. Recently, I had a good friend ask me what we did at the beach. She obviously doesn’t know my beach buddies. I looked at her for a good length of time, and finally asked, “What do you mean, what do we do there?” We go to the beach is the short answer. We might take a picnic or snack, and for sure, cold water and drinks, and maybe a plastic bag or pail for gathering our treasures of the day, but that’s about the extent of our planning. I said again, “We go to the beach.” For me, a chair or blanket, or even a beach towel, a good book, and the beach, and I am a happy camper.

My sister in law, Teresa, and I have traveled a good bit together and we both are of the same persuasion. The beach is enough. Doing “nothing at all” on the beach was plenty for either of us to do. The sun, the sand, the surf — that is all I needed then and some 50 years later — it is still all I need.

A group of tight-knit, close friends of mine will get this immediately. I have met a lot of beach folks in my day, but this group takes the cake and enjoys every single thing they do at the beach from winning costume, decorating, and talent contests, to building new houses on the beach, grandchildren, fun games, and good music.

When you are around them, you laugh — guaranteed. Joyce Lambert Thornborough, the ringleader of many of the projects and most of the trouble they get into, said that she and her lovely sister, Francie Boggan, have been going to the beaches of Bolivar since the 50s. “Our aunt had a cabin on the bayside and we thoroughly enjoyed it as often as possible. Throughout our adult lives, we have rented cabins together at least twice each year.” Along with husbands, Davey and Jim, the four bought a beach house in 2000 for their families and friends to enjoy.

Photo of Joyce Thornborough’s fun gang

Joyce said the regular group may have visitors and other friends, but basically it consists of Richard and Lana Thompson, and Ray Long and Kay Stubbs and the Boggans and Thornboroughs. Pictured here is a swimming pool on the beach for the gang to enjoy. These folks know the meaning of good fun.

Jesus said to come apart and rest. I think He must have meant at the beach. After all, he met His disciples on the seashore, taught from a boat, and cooked for His followers on the sand. No matter where your favorite get-away place is located, take time to get there often to help live a stress free and fun life.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788 or at [email protected].

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