Another Piece of Me...

OK, so you all know so much about "my story." And of course it still goes on... BUT, today I want to share another small piece of me. And I think I will do this often to show that MELISSA has many layers. haha. Even with the "tragic little girl who sometimes hides in her closet" :)

I LOVE THE CRAB COOKER!!!! It is my "favoritist" hole-in-the-wall dive on the planet!! I love it so much that even though it's breakfast time right now, my mouth is watering. I'm seriously craving their clam chowder. Right now! This second! 

But, of course, I will just have to enjoy the memory of that savory delicious dish, because it's located in Newport Beach, CA. Sad for me, but such a treat when I go out to visit my children. (They are with their father for 6 weeks during the summer.)

The Crab Cooker is located right across the street from The Newport Beach Pier. Usually after a feast of clam chowder, hot bread, crab, and of course diet coke, I'll walk to the end of the pier enjoying the salty breezy air along the way. Watching the sunset on the ocean is Heaven to me.  Calm, peaceful, reverent, quiet. I love it.

My ex husband introduced me to The Crab Cooker when we started dating 18 years ago. At first, I claimed to not like seafood. But, I was hooked immediately with this juicy dive. Over the years we continued to go together, with friends, and with family. It was a tradition. 

My kids still go with their dad and his new "familia" when they visit him. At first I wasn't sure if I could still go...with all the memories and such. But, one day, fairly recently, while in town, I invited my sister to go with me. She said, "Really? I thought you wouldn't want to go there anymore...because, you know? because of "R." I was surprised with what fell out of my mouth in response, "Well, he doesn't OWN the place. And I still like it. So we're going." We went, ate 'til our bellies were full, walked the pier, smelled the salty air, watched the sunset, and left. Not a glitch. Still Heaven to me.