Driveway Turns Into A Beach

--by Tom Gerdy, posted Feb 14, 2008

A dear friend was only weeks away from death from cancer. She said she was sorry she wouldn't be able to see the ocean again and get her toes in the sand. We live in Central Virginia and she was unable to travel so the trip to the coast wasn't going to happen. Some of us decided the solution was pretty simple. We would surprise her and bring the beach to her.

The beach included three tons of beautiful white sand dumped in her driveway, two cabanas, beach balls, pails, shovels, beach chairs, a variety of decorations and a fire pit for the bonfire on the beach at night. Of course we had s'mores on the beach. We also rented a sno-cone machine since it had gotten to the point where flavored ice was about all she was able to eat. We had two CDs playing in the background. One had to sound of waves breaking on the beach and the other Beach Boys or Jimmy Buffett.

I will forever be blessed with the memory of her smile when she came out the door with her new fancy flip-flops and a beach bag (to carry her morphine drip). Those are the moments that make a life.

The post script is that she died two weeks later, but made it to her beach four or five more days before she left us.

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Posted by Tom Gerdy
Feb 14, 2008
Comments (47)

Readers Comments

Meenakshi B wrote:
Dear Tom,
That is all one can see when days are numbered. from your story, i can see the lady's smile when she saw her dream come true beach in front of her!!
God bless you!
Meenakshi B.

Meghna wrote: All u guys have a HEART OF GOLD !!!!!

Evelyn wrote: Because life does not end at the grave, loving is always timely. God bless you!

Saleem wrote: Always live and die for others, specially if they are challenged medically or emotionally. Great job guys.

Cheers!!!

sue wrote: What a wonderful treat for all.

Ravindra wrote: it is great. u should be thankfull to God that he made u do this much great work to u. May God bless u for more kindness.

sonia wrote: I love your creative spirits combined with a great love for your friend..what a great ripple effect you have had in creating this you not only did you demonstrate love for your departing friend but you also spread the focus of love to us all.You are blessed.

cornelia wrote: God bless you all , what great hearts you have to love unconditionally.Ther is nothing like you can just feel love

Aurelia wrote: Tom, What an amazing thing you did for your friend. I'm impressed by how you thought of every detail..even the ocean sounds in the background! I'm sure she's smiling down on you from heaven and sends you rainbows often. God Bless you for your kind support. ~Aurelia

PayingForward wrote: What a beautiful thing you did for your friend. I can only imagine the joy she felt knowing that her friends went through the effort to make her dream come true. God bless you. :)

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