Expect the Unexpected

The very first time I saw Lake Michigan in the winter of 2006, it was frozen solid as far as my eyes could see. The true Texan that I am was screaming inside, “No, that can’t be right! A beach is meant to be walked on in bare feet with waves splashing against the lakeshore.” A beach covered by snow and a frozen Lake Michigan was not at all what I expected to see. That right there pretty much describes me but you must continue reading to find out how.

Lakeview Beach – Indiana Dunes National Park

When I saw the daily prompt for today –

If there was a biography about you, what would the title be?

I instantly knew that there was only one title that would do for my biography, “Expect the Unexpected” because I have spent my entire life not fitting into a mold of any kind (sometimes intentionally and other times not). Instead of spending hours telling you stories of how much of a rebel I have been over the decades of my life, I’ll just give you one example,

I am a Native American who spent the first 19 years of my life within the state of Texas, other than a once a year long bus ride to Monterey, Mexico to see my maternal grandparents for a week. One of my many steps out of my family’s box was to join the US Air Force where I met my hubby, a very white Midwesterner with bright red hair and the bluest eyes ever. That was 44 years ago when we crossed ethnicity lines that were not approved by some.

A few years later, we moved to Ohio with our young daughter, who looks a lot more like my hubby than me. People there would often conclude that I was the nanny and not her mom. It didn’t take long for us to move back to Texas and to a more multi-cultural environment.

Lakeview Beach – Indiana Dunes National Park

Eventually, we ended up in Indiana. When we first moved here, some people assumed that this was a second marriage for both of us and that our daughter was my hubby’s daughter from another marriage. Nope, they could not have been more wrong. Anyway, our daughter is now an adult and married to a pastor from South Korea. They have blessed us with a wonderful granddaughter who has her dad’s beautiful Asian features but my hubby’s lighter skin color and light brown hair with red highlights.

It is amazing to me how genetics work. I used to think that none of me was showing up in my granddaughter. Now that she is three and her personality is becoming more apparent, I have to admit that she has inherited a bit of my rebellious streak. Thinking that I should warn my son-in-law that he’s got a tough road ahead and to expect the unexpected. My daughter does not need a warning since she knows me better than anyone else and understands what may lay ahead. Life is full of surprises and fun, isn’t it?


All photos are my own. ยฉPepper Tron/Heaven’s Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.


Both photos on this post were taken from the same spot at the Indiana Dunes National Park but during different seasons – winter and summer.

18 responses to “Expect the Unexpected”

    1. It has been a fun and interesting story to live and frustrating every now and then. ๐Ÿ˜

  1. Expect the unexpected is very fitting. I was never one to follow the rules either. Sounds like you and your family have a lot of character!

    1. Thanks! Seems like there’s quite a few of us who tend to break the rules every now and then. ๐Ÿ˜

  2. How very fabulous. You and I could be kindred spirits – I was the rebel of my family. Still am I guess. Lol. How blessed we are to have beautiful children and grandchildren.

    1. I just learned something new about you. I didnโ€™t have you pictured as a rebel at all! ๐Ÿ˜‚

      1. Oh yeah…my family still shakes their head at me.

        1. I get the same reaction too. ๐Ÿ˜ Have a wonderful weekend.

  3. Loved your story getting to know a bit more about you, Pepper. Rebellious you say? Now I know why we get along so well! ๐Ÿ˜‚

    1. Yay, rebels unite! ๐Ÿ˜‚

  4. So fascinating. Nice to meet you! I feel so much happier to know you a little better. I’m sure your granddaughter has the perfect Gran to understand her! Lovely post.

    1. I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Not sure about being the perfect Gran but I definitely plan on being there for her to turn to in good times and bad for as long as God allows. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      1. Ah, she is more than lucky!! Really blessed and so are you.โค

        1. Yes, I am. ๐Ÿ˜

  5. Pepper, thank you for publishing a little bit about your family and heritage. I found it fascinating. We have multiple ethnicities among the younger generations of our family. All of them are intelligent, beautiful and loving.

    Beautiful seasonal views of the lakeshore! <3

    1. It was my pleasure to write this post, Cheryl. Your comment made me smile and I am glad you enjoyed the lakeshore images. ๐Ÿ˜Š

  6. Ha, a three year old with a rebellious streak! Certainly a recipe for the unexpected!

    1. You are so right about that. She has surprised us already with a mind of her own. ๐Ÿ˜

Thoughtful words accomplish much.

error: All photos are copyrighted by Irene Tron/HeavensSunshine. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
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