Dubois Beach Park 1989

Eighteen Years Ago... Blast From The Past

This is how my three sons spent their summers. Cousins, Robert and Christopher would stay with us and it was like having two sets of twins (Curt & Chris, Jeff & Robert), and a toddler (Andrew) Before Andrew arrived, my double stroller would hold Robert and Jeff with Curt and Chris each holding on to a side. This is how we got through the zoo, mall, parking lots, and every other place. Total strangers stopped me constantly to oogle over my two sets of twins and my bravery at venturing out alone! By far, the best summer memories are from Dubois Beach Park. The boys played all day and I actually sat most of the time and got a lot of reading done. Not to mention the fabulous tan as a side benefit.

Andrew, Robert, Jeffrey, Curt, Christopher (note the crabs in Curt and Jeffrey's hands) I am not sure who originally dubbed the one section of Dubois as "Crab Island", but it still sticks today, eighteen years later. Last week, we noted the abundance of crabs and that they were larger than usual. We attribute this to the park being closed for so long. Nature got a break from daily human invasions.
This photo tells a story and brings back a flood of memories.
Andrew, Jeffrey, Robert, Curt, Christopher
These rocks are gone now and this area is a terraced beach. The trees and lush vegetation have been cleared out by the recent Hurricanes and erosion.
Every time I see this photo, there is a story. All five boys were climbing on these large and very sharp rocks. At the very same time, all five boys started crying and bleeding. They had been cut by the rocks. There I was with five children to comfort and care for all at one time. I did not know who to pick up first. I hurried over and wrapped them in towels and carried them to our "spot" on the beach. All the while, each boy is crying and crying and bleeding and bleeding--not quietly. I needed help, yet everyone just stared at me like, "Do something with all your crying kids, lady." I asked someone to go to the lifeguard station for band aids and first aid supplies. He said he was about to leave and did not have time. The apathy around me was disheartening. I left all 5 crying bleeding boys and went to the lifeguard myself. He was just about as helpful as all the people who had been staring at me for the past 15 minutes. I finally got some band aids, cleaned up the boys, wrapped them in towels and headed home. What a day. That day, I promised myself I would always help another mom in need whether she was a total stranger or what ever the circumstances may be.