Summer lasts a little longer on South Padre Island, but there’s no place like home

By Patty Lewis

Welcome to fall weather, with its sunshine, cool temperatures and turning leaves.

Patty cruises the Gulf of Mexico with son Grant and daughter-in-law Dawn.

A few Sisterhood members got together in late October to discuss ideas and projects as Wilma invited Jackie and me to her home for coffee and cake. We talked travel and family and scrapbooking and art projects and had such an enjoyable visit.

Each morning, I sat on my hosts’ deck with a cup of coffee and gazed out on the water.

I had just returned from an event-filled 17 days on South Padre Island, Texas, to visit my son Grant and daughter-in-law Dawn. It was my first trip since my husband Ralph passed away in June.

My daughter Carrie picked me up and drove me to Memphis, where I boarded the jet to South Texas and its summery ocean beaches. South Padre lived up to its publicity.

Dawn and Grant housed me in the most beautiful bedroom and bath and each morning, I sat on my hosts’ deck with a cup of coffee and gazed out on the water.

Patty hits all the stops on land, sea and air

Once the day began, though, the family kept me busy!

Patty visits Congregation Shoova Israel on South Padre Island.

I attended wine and art and ballroom dancing classes, visited the sea turtle sanctuary, watched dolphins and shrimp boats, played pool and heard live music at beachside clubs, found the Temple, ate wonderful restaurant meals, took a hot-air balloon ride and even went parasailing.

And you wouldn’t believe the sand castles.

South Padre Island was quite an experience. But it’s like going to Disney World. It’s not my life.

I played golf for the first time ever. And I found that I love playing golf!

I topped my visit off with a butterfly tattoo, something I’d long wanted, as a symbol of hope for the Jewish people.

Throughout my visit, everyone called me “Mama Lewis”. And when I was ready to leave, a whole crowd gathered — at least 40 family and new friends — to wish me well. Some gave me gifts as remembrances of our time together.

Grant and Dawn have a beautiful home and invited me to move to South Padre to live with them.

You know, South Padre Island was quite an experience. But it’s like going to Disney World. It’s not my life.

Home is here in Terre Haute with my friends. And there’s no place like home.

Patty Lewis is Sisterhood president at UHC Terre Haute.

Photos

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