Navarre Beach, Florida, 2008

Destin, Florida, 2009

My mom gave me a digital picture frame for Christmas last year. Little did I know just how much much pleasure it would bring me. It sits on a table by our sofa in the den and it’s like a little slide show of happiness. One afternoon I poured over hundreds of photos on my laptop to select my favorite pictures to upload on the frame. Time and time again I chose pictures from our family vacations to the beach. These are some of our happiest family memories.

I’ve been traveling down to the Florida Panhandle to enjoy the beautiful Gulf Coast since I was in 5th grade and I’m 40 now…you do the math, it might depress me.

Navarre Beach, Destin, Ft. Walton…these Florida beach towns are like a second home to me and my husband.

Our daughters first experienced the ocean at the Gulf Coast. They have scouted out dolphins swimming in the crystal blue waters. They have squealed with delight at the mighty roar of the surf and run along the water’s edge, dodging waves. They have built sandcastles on the sugar white beaches. They have eagerly sought out crabs and shells and other gifts from the sea.

I have so many memories from this area. It pains my heart to read the news about the oil spill, but yet every day I must read about the impact. Much like with the recent flood in Nashville, communities are pulling together and doing whatever they can do clean up the beaches.

I hope this beautiful natural resource will be here for future generations. I hope that we are doing all in our power to stop the oil spill. I feel pretty helpless at this point. So I just keep on hoping.

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Florida blogger Mommy Melee posted a Love The Gulf tribute in May. Click over to read her eloquent post and see the link ups to many other bloggers and grab your own Love The Gulf blog button.

Jimmy Buffett is throwing a free concert July 1 in Gulf Shores, Alabama, to raise awareness about the oil spill’s impact on the area and show support for the people, local businesses, and culture. Tickets sold out in less than 5 minutes, but you can watch it live on CMT or listen in via Radio Margaritaville. We’lll definitely be firing up our blender, mixing a few ‘ritas, and kicking back to watch the show!