Sea World!

I had the honor of chaperoning Sydney's 5th grade class to Sea World last month. I wanted to let some time pass before I posted on it. I needed a moment to let the fatigue and car sickness pass, so the true memories would come out in my writing. Sea World holds a special place in my heart. It's almost a sacred place for me now. Sounds silly I know. Let me explain.

When I was introduced to Ron and Pat Kleinman (later to become Dad and Mom) they took me to Sea World. There, I fell in love with a seal. This seal couldn't catch a break. People would throw him fish, and he would choke on every tasty morsel and end up spitting his food out. I felt so sad for this seal. I wanted to rescue him so bad. My future parents bought me a seal to commemorate the day and that animal. I slept with "Sealy" every single night until I was 27 years old, and Bobby said, "The seal or the kid." Mallory was in our bed at the time, and I put Sealy in my closet. I think once Maverick is out of our bed, I will bring Sealy back to his rightful position.

Shortly after our son, Thomas, died the Caldwell family asked us to go with them to Sea World. Our families were the best of friends, and it was so good for us to escape Yuma if only for a moment and spoil our living children for the day. For weeks I had felt as though I was on a moving sidewalk. Life was going on around me, and I was moving (technically), but I felt as though life was moving without me really in it. Sea World was different. I lost myself there for a moment. Watching the Shamu show brought tears to my eyes. Actually, I cried like a baby. This magnificent creature shot out of the water, and I knew then and there without doubt my "Sweetest Boy" was being taken care of by someone much greater than myself. That enormous, gorgeous animal reaffirmed my belief in God and comforted me.

I have been to Sea World several times in my life, and each time is special. I went once with my sisters and girls a few years ago. It rained, and we pressed on. We wouldn't let the rain defeat us. We even rode Atlantis in the pouring rain. Now, this last trip with Sydney and her friends was memorable because I was able to see Sydney outside of our usual dynamic. I saw her mingling with her friends, trying to include others, attempting to be patient with a pack of wild boys, and I watched her feed the seals.

I love Sea World, and Sea World must love me.