Memories in the Making

We’ve had some difficult conversations as a family about what our future may look like. Mostly to be forthcoming with the kids, because even though we never can truly know the days ahead, it’s fair for them to be prepared based on what we do know. These conversations have opened up a lot of dialogue about the here and now. I know we all wish to be kind and loving and live our best lives every day, but sadly it often seems to become most poignant once you have a scary unknown on the horizon. I wish we could all start sooner, but I know firsthand how easily we get caught up in ourselves.

As a family, we continue to talk about the importance of letting the little things go, and making memories that are rich in kindness and large in love. We talk about making choices that will leave us with important experiences rather than things. We talk about what will be left behind when each of us are gone.

This train of thought is what spurred us to get away for some fun and relaxing family time together. We needed to just be us and focus on enjoying each other and spending time together in some of our favorite ways. Our everyday consists of a lot of time with me in bed, or laced with doctors and medicines, so we went for the opposite and ran for the sun and sand of the beach in Boca Raton Florida. It was glorious!

We had two extra daughters along with us, and all the kids were troopers for the two day car ride squished into our Pilot. They passed the hours with pipe cleaner creations, jewelry-making, mad libs, and tons of snacks. Add a little fighting and a lot of giggling, and it was a road trip for the books. We were rewarded with a week of sun-kissed skin, sandy toes, scuba diving, snorkeling, go kart races, bumper boats, and late night swims. It did my heart so good to see the kids able to just be kids; playing and laughing and enjoying all the things a young one should be enjoying.

It was a little bit intimidating at first to think about leaving my comfort zone of home. I had to push back fears of getting stuck in a hospital far from home. We don’t always travel, but when we do we make sure to check out at least one local hospital… this time for a terrible allergic reaction I had to some antibiotics on our drive to Florida. I received the best possible care though, and it hardly put a wrinkle in our trip. The rest of the week I felt rested and relaxed and enjoyed days of less pain and more energy after drenching myself in the salty waters. My family was helpful and patient with my pace, and never complained when the time came for a recovery nap.

We returned home with tan lines and a sandy car and hearts full with memories of a wonderful week just being us. No worries. No doctors. No scary talks. Just fun and sun and ice cream and enjoying each other’s company. It was worth it. Every bit.

Please leave me a comment, it lets me know you’re listening!