Lost in Sea World

Let's go back to 1988 – Family vacation to California. We hit Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and Sea World. Diz and Daz were five years old at the time. We were experiencing Sea World for the first time. The day was going just fine looking at the dolphins, whales and other sea life that only Sea World can provide. As we stopped to look at one of the whales, Diz found herself alone, no family member in sight! Where had they gone? Diz looked frantically to the left, then to the right, then behind her. No one that resembled a Cowles was anywhere near. Luckily a nice lady with a badge came up to Diz and asked her if she was alone. Diz nodded her little head yes. The Sea World lady took Diz by the hand and led her to an office with coloring books and crayons. Diz sat quietly coloring a sea turtle while savoring the ice cream waffle cone.

Meanwhile, the family is panicking that Diz is nowhere to be found. Sea World went into lock-down mode within minutes. This is before cellphones and such, so that walkie-talkie system was pretty advanced at the time. Our parents do not carry pictures of their wonderful children in their wallets. But they had something even better! When the Sea World Officials asked for a description of what Diz looked like, Jim and Sue pointed to Daz and said: “Just like her!” This is where having an exact look-alike comes in pretty handy. That gave the Sea World crew a pretty good visual of who they needed to look for.

Walkie-Talkie calls were made and within a few minutes the missing Diz had been located at the Lost and Found. She was sitting quietly coloring the sea turtle and looked to the glass doors. Mama Sue was rushing to the building frantically with tears in her eyes. Diz up to this point did not understand the gravity of the situation and was shocked to see her mom in such a state. Mama Sue burst through the doors, enfolded Diz into a bear hug. Diz now realizing that she was lost, also started to cry.

Having a look-alike definitely has its benefits.