I was at a workshop recently where one of the presenters asked how many people woke up every morning to an alarm clock. I did not raise my hand. I do not use an alarm clock to wake up and haven’t in years as the result of a promise to be kindler and gentler to myself.
I don’t hear the blare of an alarm clock, but what I do hear every morning is a bugle call at five minutes to eight. And then precisely at 8:00am the strains of the Star Spangled Banner float over the village of Coronado. It is the morning ritual at North Island and one I truly appreciate.
There is a similar acknowledgement at day’s end that involves the playing of Taps. It really is quite inspirational and patriotic.
There are other sounds that fill the air in Coronado. Some are unique to this little village, and some are heard elsewhere but will always mean Coronado to me.
Sometimes before the Naval Base announces the start of its day, you can hear the new recruits being put through their drills down at Sunset Park. The bark of the Leader is answered by the sharp retort of numerous voices. I have seen these drills up close and I can tell you that these guys and gals are really put through their paces.
One of my favorite sounds that I only hear if I am actually in the village is the sound of the bells ringing out the time from Christ Episcopal Church. On the half hour it is a short little series, and on the hour, they play an entire song. During the Christmas season, they sometimes replace the hourly tolling with a Christmas hymn.
At night when the village has gone to sleep and I am lying in bed, I fall asleep to the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore with the ebb and flow of the tide. It is a soothing sound, very rhythmic. Even when there is a storm and the ocean is angry, I love the sound of the surf.
On those peaceful nights when the sound of the surf is at its loudest, the Freight Train Horn will echo off in the distance. It is loud at first and then trails off as the train makes its way north.
Other nights when the fog rolls in thick and heavy, throughout the night the freighters and other ships will lay on their Fog Horn. Deep resonating bellows float through the smoky night, a strong and confident sound.
These daily sounds contribute to the charm of Coronado for me. They are ingrained in life here and it wouldn’t be the same without any of them. Come visit sometime and listen for yourself.
Every Wednesday the free Coronado weekly newspaper, The Coronado Eagle & Journal, is delivered throughout the community. Unlike some weekly newspapers in resort type towns, it is filled with more than just real estate and restaurant ads. It truly tells of all of the events that happened in the community during the past week and informs us of the upcoming events.
One of the regular sections is the Letters & Commentary section where letters from members of the community are printed.
This week’s edition included an extremely bittersweet letter from a family whose 14 year old son James had died suddenly. I had heard the story from friends a few weeks ago ~ living in a small town, our joys and sorrows are shared regularly. I don’t know the family, but felt so sad for them just the same.
As would be expected, their letter spoke of their shock and sadness at the loss of their son. But rather than focus on just those feelings, they went on to write a very inspirational thank you to the community of Coronado.
Here is just a part of what the letter said:
“Our family has received over 300 cards, several from strangers. It is amazing to be wrapped in so much love and caring. This community is exceptional in many ways, the exquisite beauty of the area, the perfect climate, but the people are the shining jewel in this town.”
They ended the letter saying:
“We will always miss James and we will always ask why but from this suffering we have seen more love than we knew existed and we thank you all.”
Beyond all the glitz of the Hotel del Coronado, behind the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowd, and away from the day trippers on the beach there lies a community of people with deep spirit. A community that lends a hand, gives a hug, comes together in good times and bad and celebrates its victories and mourns its losses ~ together. This is my Coronado.