“Loved and Remembered Always.”
Week #356 – Walk the Boards and Ride the Waves!
Greetings Happyness Tribe!!!
I’m FINALLY back in Ocean Grove this week! Holy Ground, God’s Square Mile, and every bit of Heaven on Earth!!!
And all I can think about is this post…from Week #43. So forgive the repeat…because after a year of not getting back here, I can assure you I’m making up for lost time by “walking the boards and riding the waves!” (I know you understand!)
Just before Summer of 2015…a new memorial planter quietly appeared on the boardwalk in Ocean Grove. The planter’s inscription reads:
Robert Church, Jr. 1974-2014
Walked these boards and rode the waves.
Loved and Remembered Always
Since Rob disappeared from our boardwalk in 2014 — I still look (even today) for his 6-foot-something frame, his big wave, and his confident stride.
And with every turn onto Ocean Avenue — I’m reminded of his absence in this beautiful place. A place we shared as a family since childhood — and continued to share into our adulthood.
A place we somehow, even now, continue to share. ♥
Through all the years we visited Ocean Grove — as children, teens, adults, and friends — we never dreamed it would come to this. Benches and planters and plaques were for old people, maybe even pets, but not for us. We were young, vital, alive.
And THAT is the point of the plaques on those benches and planters. Life is about what you do, where you do it, and who you do it with. The planters and benches along the boardwalk are filled with legacies: “…who loved Ocean Grove…”, “…who helped us all to grow…”, “whose happiness was a day at the beach…”
What would yours say?
Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: “WALK THE BOARDS and RIDE THE WAVES!” If someone were to write a memorial plaque about you…what would it say? Where would they put it? Spend time this week doing that thing as if it was your last. Imagine how you might want to be remembered…then make it a point to LIVE IT! Do it with love…do it with laughter…and above all: do it with Happyness!
Don’t wait! Live your legacy today! And enjoy every moment! (I know I am!)
Spread Happyness — share your thoughts in the comments!
7/9/21 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com