Mother Mother Ocean

Yes, Jimmy Buffet always has an appropriate tune for every occasion – but I wonder what he would sing with respect to the horrible oil spill disaster in the Gulf? 

 For over 40 days now I wake up every morning cringing with fear – will today be the day the oil and tar balls start washing up on MY beach?  I haven’t written about my feelings towards the disaster because I’m a ball of emotions at the moment.  I’m angry, sad, scared, distraught, pissed off, lost, helpless, fearful….the list of feelings could go all day…but I haven’t really known what to say.  Until the other day when I was reading another fellow Floridian Mommy Melee’s blog and her beautiful words about her memories and feelings about the Gulf.

I have only lived in Florida for 5 years but I feel like it’s my home.  My grandmother lived in St. Pete for as long as I could remember as a child – if she had family nearby I’m sure she would have died here but she moved back North to Ohio when her health started to fail her.  I have very fond memories of our summers we spent on St. Pete beach with her.  I still drive down to her old condo on occasion and can feel her presence – as if she were waving down at me from her balcony.  A few weeks ago my dad and I made the walk by the condo – peaking into the backyard – then walking down to the beach – both of us in tears.  We visited her about twice a year and the trip was always the same – she had a storage room full of beach toys that we would raid as we walked the block to the beach.  We’d stay on the beach all day – sometimes the Ocean was angry – and others it would be calm.

I have a scar on my knee from the day the Ocean was angry – the waves were crashing and I fell down onto a pile of broken shells – I remember picking those shells out of my bloody knee. 

Instead of my own tears – I can now hear the tears of her – Mother Ocean – as she fights with the oil and chemicals that continue to flow into her.

My husband and I always knew this would be our home.  Visiting my parents who live a few hours away we always crossed the Courtney Campbell and made our way to the beach.  It wasn’t until my son was born that my dad found my favorite spot – Honeymoon Island.  It’s located in Dunedin, FL just north of Clearwater – and about 5 minutes from where we now live.  We don’t make it out to the beach as often as we would like but we always make our Memorial Day weekend visit (except this year – we visited family in Orlando instead).  I have pictures of my son on the beach every year since he was born – minus this year.  It’s awesome to be able to watch him grow up and see the changes he makes each year and measure them against the sand.  I’m sure we’ll be back this weekend to get those annual pictures – which now include our daughter.

 

With the disaster in the Gulf it makes me wonder what next year will hold?  Will our tradition continue?  Will the beach be saved from the damaging effects of the disaster?  Will the local habitats be spared?  Will the dolphins that play off the coast be able to survive?  Will the already struggling grouper ever fully recover from overfishing – and now from potential contaminates?  Will the sea bird – yes even those pesky sea gulls be covered in oil?  Will the families who make their living on fishing or recreation still have a job?  Will the travel industry suffer?  Will our economy EVER loose their dependence on oil? 

If and when the disaster reaches our beaches – I will be there to help pick up the pieces of broken shells from her bloddy knee – like I once had to do myself.

And long after we leave this planet – she will sing and dance again!

  

We’re having an old fashioned blog carnival.

Learn more about what you can do to help with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Grab the badge and share the love. If you’ve written your own Love the Gulf post, add it below and visit the linky at the host blogs Morningside Mom, Deb on the Rocks, and Mommy Melee.