Jacqueline M. Ruffino Platt

Growing up in North Jersey and approximately three hours to “Down the Shore,” as we called South Jersey, was my best weekend getaway. The shore points included Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Asbury Park, Keansburg, and, of course, Atlantic City. And Cape May if you wanted to venture a little farther south.

My friends and I patiently waited for the weekend to arrive. Usually on late Friday afternoon we would load up our cars with our bathing suits, towels, extra clothing, snacks and head “Down the Shore.” Sometimes we would rent a small bungalow close enough to the “breaking of the waves.” Checked in, put on our bathing suits, flip flops, grab a towel and head towards the ocean. Sunshine always surrounded our images in the sand and the coolness of the waves as they rolled over our toes began our day. Here we are, another great getaway. After when we thought we had too much sun, we would stroll on the boardwalk, grab a hotdog, fries or pizza, our favorite food of the day. Check out the locals and the visitors and talk about our plans for the evening. Some of our favorite pastimes were listening to the ‘50s and ‘60s music played by our favorite musicians (a little different from today’s music).

Before we knew, time got the best of us and the weekend or week we spent “at the Jersey Shore” was quickly coming to a halt. This was always special for me. Great times, great friends and always looked forward to the summer. It has been a wonderful time of my life being able to get my feet wet in the Atlantic Ocean and the opportunity to enjoy every moment I shared with family and friends, which created great memories. Later in my life, I met my husband John. A wonderful man whom we share our lives together. We enjoyed somewhat the same fun things; however, he didn’t like sitting in the sun as much as I had. He knew how much I loved the beaches and the boardwalks and the sun beating down on our toes. So when my birthday came one year, John surprised me with a trip to Maui, Hawaii. And before I knew it, I was dipping my feet in the Pacific Ocean. An ocean I thought I would never cross. The sky was so blue, the water showed its beautiful color when the waves were hitting the shoreline. This dream I always had became a reality. A dream to touch the sand, feel the water as it rolled over my toes and feel the warm sun as it dipped into the sea and faded away until another beautiful day. Bring your thoughts, your great times shared and beautiful memories you all have and share them with your families, loved ones and friends. Don’t resist at any time to look up at the beautiful sky, sun, moon and feel grateful and thankful.