fbpx

The Story Behind the Picture

2 comments

KLBeach2012

 

Several people who have seen the front cover of my book, Adopting the Father’s Hearthave commented on it. So, I thought I would share a little of the story behind the picture.

The photo was taken during Thanksgiving week, 2012 on Bolivar Peninsula, TX. If you are from the Houston/Galveston area, you know exactly where that is. But for those who don’t know, Bolivar Peninsula is a ferry ride across from Galveston, TX.

Recent History about Bolivar Peninsula

On September 15, 2008, Hurricane Ike made a direct hit on the Bolivar/Galveston area as a strong Category 2 hurricane. Here are some before and after pictures:

 

TO19-8

 

237px-Ike_PhotoPair_crystal_bch_TX_Loc1LG

As you can see, the hurricane caused incredible property damage. Several lost their lives as well.

Homes that were on the 2nd and 3rd row became beachfront because of so much sand erosion.

This hurricane is the 3rd most costly on record in the United States.

However, over the five years since the storm, residents, both new and old, have rebuilt much of the area.

Thanksgiving Week at the beach

For several years, my parents have rented a house or condo somewhere along the Texas coast for any or all of their three children and families to spend Thanksgiving week with them.

Most of those years were on Bolivar Peninsula until Hurricane Ike

The entire family was glad to return in 2011. This Thanksgiving (2013) will be the 3rd year in a row to rent the same house on the peninsula.

 

IMG_0371

This is a view from the back deck of the house. Beachfront and just steps from the surf.

A Little Personal History

Our family spent Thanksgiving 2010 in a couple of condos in the Port Aransas area. For Danielle and I it was the first Thanksgiving we made it to the beach with my family. That is another story for another time. It was good to spend a couple of days with my everyone. It was then that we told them that we were close to getting our foster care license. I remember saying that the following year we most likely would have one or more kids with us.

Sure enough, Thanksgiving 2011, we had a little guy come along. He was about 13 months old and had been with us for about 5 months. He was a foster only placement. We were not even sure he would be with us when we made the trip to the coast.

Fast forward one year and that same little boy was just over two-years-old and our adopted son. That is the year the picture was taken. What a difference a year makes!

This will be our 3rd Thanksgiving with our son, all three spent at this same house. He thinks that the house belongs to his cousin Isaac who is in middle school.

Who Took the Picture?

Danielle, my wife, took the picture with her iPhone 4s. It was not a photo shoot for the book, even though I was almost finished writing it. I had no idea she took the picture.

My heart is full of thanksgiving every time I see it. Thank you Danielle for pulling your phone out and snapping that photo!

Goes to show you never know who is watching you or taking your picture. And, you never know how that picture will be used!

About the Author

Follow me

I am a longtime Austinite. Married my beautiful wife over 35 years ago. Adopted our son September 2012.
As a small business and nonprofit coach/consultant, I have found my sweet spot. I lean on my varied background of corporate, small business ownership, writing, and pastoring as I work to help small business owners and nonprofit founders build the business they want to have.


  • It’s a great picture, and some of my favorite pictures and memories are of being at the beach with my daughter. Their amazement and enjoyment of the sand, water, shells, birds and other stuff is truly an enjoyment to behold. You’ve been a blessing to many in your life and what you do and teach is appreciated by many. Blessings to you and your family.

  • {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
    >