In a heartwarming turn of events, an Oregon woman experienced a moment of pure joy during her final trip to the beach before entering hospice care, stumbling upon a rare glass float along the coastline. Leslie Lundquist, 68, from Sheridan, has been courageously fighting kidney cancer since 2024, with her condition worsening due to the development of two brain tumors.
A Last Wish Fulfilled
As her health declined to the point where hospice care became necessary, Lundquist expressed a heartfelt desire for one last relaxing getaway to her favorite beach. Her children quickly rallied, packing their bags and heading to Lincoln City, Oregon, to honor her wish. 'When we found out the news, she wanted to go to the beach, so my aunt bought us a motel,' explained Ashley Brunner, Lundquist's daughter, in an interview with KOIN.
An Unexpected Discovery
While strolling along the sandy shores, Lundquist made a remarkable discovery: a rare handblown glass float nestled at the entrance of Chinook Winds Beach. The float, featuring a beautiful purple and swirly design, serendipitously matched her crocheted hat, adding to the magic of the moment. This find is part of Lincoln City's Finder's Keepers program, which annually hides thousands of such floats along the coastline for visitors to discover and keep.
The floats are crafted by local artist Kayla Moore, owner of MJ Creations by the Creek. In a joint statement on Facebook, Moore and a local tourism page expressed, 'The ocean had a gift waiting for her. Leslie came upon a beautiful Finders Keepers float, tucked along the shoreline like it was placed there just for her. Out of all the miles of sand… out of all the days… this one found her.'
A Special Connection
Lundquist was initially so surprised by the find that she playfully accused her family of planting it, as reported by KOIN. Brunner had previously been in contact with Moore about creating a memorial float, but this discovery occurred entirely organically, making it all the more meaningful. 'I can't tell you how special it is, what it means,' Lundquist shared with KOIN, reflecting on the emotional significance of the moment.
Moore added, 'For her last trip, for her to be able to find one was incredible,' highlighting the rarity and joy of the experience. The Finder's Keepers program has been enriching the community for a quarter of a century, featuring floats from local artists and placed by volunteers along the beaches.
This touching story underscores the power of small moments of happiness during challenging times, as Lundquist's final beach trip became a cherished memory filled with unexpected beauty and connection.
