On our recent vacation in San Francisco a long-time way-back-from-college-days dream came true. I think perhaps I had set it aside – not forgotten it – but when it was clear that the day had come to see the fulfillment of that dream I ‘pulled it forward’ in my heart, shared it with my sweetheart and then he shared my joy the moment it was accomplished! My dream? To sail under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Now, in the big scheme of things – the picture of life – that doesn’t seem to be an overwhelming accomplishment. But it had been an important put-on-hold thing for over forty years! Actually, I didn’t have any idea that it would finally come true on this trip. You see, the way in which it came true wasn’t planned. Not at all! We bought a booklet of tickets - a package-deal - for places to go and things to do in the San Francisco area. It was a bargain. A good deal! Everything was planned. All in place. Until we arrived on the chosen morning to take our tour of Alcatraz. What we found was that there had been a mix-up and we didn’t have reservations or tickets to get on the tour boat going to Alcatraz. We had tickets to go on the Bay Cruise – a cruise I had gone on twice before during my college days. The Bay Cruise tickets that come in the booklet were supposed to be swapped for Alcatraz Tour tickets when I called to make reservations for the Alcatraz Tour. But that had not happened. We were told there was no way we could get on the chosen tour that day or any other day that we were in The City. They were booked too far ahead! Sorry, they said. So, my sweetheart and I walked away toward the Bay Cruise dock. I was very disappointed and upset! As we walked I felt such unrest about the situation that I asked my sweetheart if we could just stop along the seawall and pray together that I would have peace and that our cruise on the Bay would be blessed with joy. We prayed together and I felt a sense of peace fill my heart! As we walked toward the dock to board the boat I began to feel excitement welling up in my heart. We arrived in time for the next boat scheduled to board and leave within a few minutes of our arrival. Perfect timing!
As we approached the Bridge - closer and closer – I realized that my long-held dream was about to come true. My sweetheart shared my anticipation.
After a bit, with much anticipation, we were under the Bridge – moving toward the Pacific Ocean!
Was the problem with the tickets a mistake? I don’t think so! As we disembarked at the dock and moved on to the rest of our day together in The City my heart was full of gratitude. I had a new sense of how much my Heavenly Father loves me - not because I'm special but because He loves to do special things for His children. And He had taken what seemed like a huge disappointment and turned it into the fulfillment of a dream. And it brought such joy!
Congrats, on your lifelong dream being fullfilled. What beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMel
Wow, Adrienne! Just WOW!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your dream came true, sweet Adrienne. Your pictures are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDon't you cherish "just because I love you" moments? Thanks for sharing, sweetie!
ReplyDeleteB :)
Wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you finally got to do something you've always wanted to do!
I haven't been to San Fran in years. The first time was on a trip with my parents and Italian grandmother back when I was about ten. The last time was when my hubby's sister lived in the Presidio (Army) back in 1989 (just prior to the Los Gatos earthquake). She drove us over the Golden Gate, but we only had a day in San Fran and didn't get to do much.
I am so glad you were able to realize a dream. It sounds like a wonderful day!
ReplyDelete