Who are Scuppers and Sunshine you may ask? Well, their real names are Hersh and Susan Orr, and like all grandparents, are very proud of their name change! After enduring the fast pace workplace in Spring, Texas, they decided to simplify their lives and move to the beach! They moved to Galveston in 2001 (they’ve had the house since 1996). This was the perfect place to relax and enjoy their six grandchildren. Their daughters Kathy and Tehra live in Austin with their husbands and children, so it was the perfect place for the families to gather and spend great times and really feel like they were on vacation. Over the last 10 plus years, Scuppers and Sunshine’s open door policy has provided a hub of family get togethers, providing us with the MOST AMAZING MARGARITAS EVER (!), teaching us to find treasures in the sand....you would not believe their shark tooth collection. Well, just a bit of the fun and laughter many of us have benefitted from their generous hospitality.
Sunshine with her grandsons gardening
Sunshine and Scuppers daughter Tehra with her family
On September 13, 2008, disaster shattered their dreams during one of the third worst hurricanes in U.S. history....Ike. Scuppers and Sunshine had braved many storms and were hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. Thankfully, they were able to get out in time, however, their home did not fair as well. Anything up to 12 feet off the ground did not survive the storm surge. Their home was elevated with a garage, storage, and bath area below their home...all that and everything enclosed is gone...lawnmower, tools, refrigerator, etc. Sunshine nurtured her yard and garden like a baby. It is all gone. The walkway leading to the beach and gazebo they built (with the help of their fine strong sons-in-law)....all gone. Crazy thing is, they did it all right....they had homeowners insurance, flood insurance, and wind insurance. The money they received from the insurance companies fell short....by a lot.
Fourteen months later and still living in an apartment, they are finally seeing the first repairs on their home. That is where we come in.... the sisters! What’s a little sister to do than to mother her big brother!? After much begging and pleading, Hersh has agreed to let us, Dawn and Mary, start this blog to tell you their story and ask for prayers, guidance, positive thoughts and if you are able any monetary donations. We have set up a registry at Home Depot for some of their needs and if you would like to get a gift card you may do that also! If nothing else, please keep Scuppers and Sunshine in your thoughts and prayers and let them know you were here by leaving a word of encouragement for them!
Thanks for visiting and we will continue to update the blog with pictures of their house being rebuilt and the exciting things going on with this new chapter in their life!
Dawn Free and Mary Yarbrough
aka.... the sisters
