October 17, 2001 - Shoreline of Memories
 
Welcome to 2TheHeart!

  
"Holding a beautiful memory is a wonderful feeling that can feed our souls when needed and reverse a sad moment by recalling a beautiful one in days passed. A memory is a gift that God saves in our minds and hearts for when we need it."   ~Susan Farr Fahncke~

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Web designer Anne Goodrich has once again used her talents to create something beautiful for the sole purpose of helping others. Prompted by her son's dedication to following President Bush's request for each American child to send $1 to the children of Afghanistan, Anne created a web page for this purpose. It is beautiful!! Check it out! www.ohangel.com/americasfund.htm

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Send a Scare Package from CarePackages.com and get a free Pack-O-Lantern and glow sticks! At only $19.95, this is a great Halloween surprise for your grandkids, sweetie or friends! (I sent my sister, Angel, one last year and she loved it!) Click or Treat and send a fun Scare  Package today!
http://www.qksrv.net/click-404250-5596655

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When we introduced Jon as a new "Heartwriter" during Guy Week in September, his humor and tenderness stole the hearts of our readers. His latest is a jog down memory lane that will remind us all to cherish our own special memories. Watch for more from Jon in the near future!



"Shoreline of Memories"
by Jon Tun


Chicago has a fantastic shoreline along the northern suburbs, and one of my favorite spots is a place called Gilson Park. It lies next to the Bahai temple, an architectural beauty, surrounded by gardens. My father used to take us there as children to play and show tourists around; whilst we ran around, he'd show them the magnificent building, with finely crafted spires which reached towards the sky and joined together forming the temple. We jokingly called it the "orange juicer" because it sort of resembled one of those devices that you mash down orange halves over.

On this last trip to Chicago, to compensate for our frequent eating get-togethers with friends and relatives, I went jogging every morning to Gilson Park. It's about a four-mile trip there and back from my in-laws, so the entire shoreline excursion took a full hour or so. My normal routine was that I'd wake up, slip on my running shorts, lace up my shoes, take off my shirt, and head out the door as quietly as possible so as not to wake up the family. The air was warm but comfortably breezy, and the sun was bright with just a few
cumulous clouds overhead. The run to the lake through the northern suburb of Wilmette is also enjoyable because there are a lot of old oak and elm trees which provide shade and add character to the expensive upper-middle class suburban homes. Many of them have half-circular driveways with stone pillar doorsteps, normally with a sports car or SUV parked in front.

After passing the multitude of impressive homes along the way, one finally reaches the shorefront. To the left are sailboats docked overnight, in front is the beach house with showers and snack bar, and to the right is wide open sand with lifeguard lookout posts scattered strategically.

As I run, I recollect a "sea" of memories from my youth along this shore. Farther down there is a lakeshore bike trail that I often rode for miles. One of the roads I cross is scenic Sheridan road that my buddies and I used to drive all the way to Wisconsin to go "cruisin'". To the north is Northwestern University where we would sit and talk until the wee hours of the morning on the boulder-sized breaker rocks.

To the south is the triple peninsulas of Olive Park where I proposed to my wife, Navy Pier which hosts an assortment of novelty stores and a huge gondola-size cab Ferris wheel, and the planetarium which jutted out close to downtown and was a frequented "make-out" spot.

But one of my favorite memories was just to my left where several little sailboats were beached. In high school, when my friends and I could pool together enough money, we used to rent a double pontoon, 4-man sailboat called a "Hobiecat" and go skirting along the waves at a pretty brisk clip. They don't call it the "Windy City" for nothing. When the wind was the strongest, we could lean far back and hoist one of the pontoons out of the water for added speed and exhilaration. One had to be rather adept at maneuvering the craft, for to lean too far or turn too sharply meant the boat and it's occupants flipped over into the water. Everybody would have to put their weight on one side of the pontoon to return the capsized vessel to its proper orientation.

I can still vividly remember those carefree innocent days of summer as I gaze back across the waves, the sunshine shimmering and dancing across the crests. I sigh and smile to myself, taking in the images of my past. The sound of seagulls calling overhead, waves crashing at my feet bring me back to reality; it's time to jog home. It was good to see you again, old friends - my memories.


Jonathon Tun  copyright 2001
jwtun@tva.gov

Jonathan Tun is a third generation Asian American (Chinese and Japanese mix)born in Chicago Illinois. Besides enjoying writing, he is an avid exercise enthusiast and philanthropist, currently serving on the board of directors for "Hope for Chattanooga" (a religious-based community outreach organization). Jon lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with his wife and two children. His story on "Guy Week" was a HUGE hit, so if you missed it, read "Take That Baby For a ride":http://www.2theheart.com/sept28_01

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The Letter Box:


Dear Susan,
It great to see 2theheart back in my mailbox after a few days off! We missed your joyous spirit and love for all! Thank you for thinking of others despite your own life. You are an earthly angel. The stories you pick for us are gifts --- from the writers and from you. Thank you!
~Mary Kingman


Dear RoseMary,
WOW! Your story hit my heart like an arrow! I neeeded that. I have four sisters, all of whom live within three hours of each other. We NEVER spend time together - let alone have a purple pajama party. I sent copies of your story to the two who aren't on 2theheart's list (the other two are) and then called everyone last night. We arranged a PURPLE PAJAMA PARTY of our own on Halloween night, here at my house! We will hand out candy, make carmel apples, laugh and watch vidoes - all in our jammies and all together! Yhis is waaaay overdo and we have you to thank. We will send photos and a new story after our ngiht together to 2theheart. God bless you!
~Rita, Margie, Francine, Barb & Rose


Dear 2theheart,
I LOVED Rose Mary's story about her sisters. I only have one and she lives in Alaska while I live in Hawaii (talk about two different personalities!), but after we both read your story, we decided to plan a weekend with just us two soon! We are both excited - thank you!
~Janice


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