Three Dog Life : A Once in a Lifetime Friend

This week is four years that Elsie Mae Tercha - dear friend, mentor, beloved, amazing lady - passed away. I knew the anniversary was looming but not sure of the day when today, the first beautiful sunny days in ages, I had an urgent need to head for Sea Isle - to test my new camera, to run my exercise deprived dogs, to sit on the beach and read - or so I thought. But the moment I headed into Sea Isle I suddenly knew to turn right, not left to the nature center where I could run the dogs. I drove past Elsie's beautiful "L'Etage" - a summer home with wrap around porch, where Elsie had dreamed of chasing her grandkids and where I had visited and stayed many times. I was disappointed to find no one on the porch or I would have loved to have seen her family and share memories and do as Elsie always said, "Make Memories". I instead headed to the end of Sea Isle where I ran the dogs, snapped some shots, sat quietly by the sea and enjoyed the sunset. I am not a religious person but can't help but think Elsie Mae was guiding my perfectly designed day today.

When I got home tonight I checked facebook to find her daughter Nina's post showing a picture of a bench dedicated in her honor in Sea Isle and some pics of her new grandson, who's picture alone makes you break out in a smile. Maybe it was serendipity I headed to Sea Isle, maybe just a coincidence. As I drove down to the beach today I worried that it was my lack of impulse control that had me throw my to-do list to the wind and with urgency "head to the sea" but now I am thinking it had more to do with Elsie Mae - A loud "Carpe Diem" shout-out from the beyond and a day to remember a once in a lifetime friend. Thanks my friend. It was a glorious "day by the sea." As hung in Elsie Mae's beautiful seaside home, "If you're lucky enough to live by the sea, you're lucky enough."