Week before vacation week. Normally looks like this…..
- Frantically trying to schedule work/clients into limited time slots and hoping it all works out.
- Frantically trying to get my training runs in so I can “not” feel guilty if “perhaps” one of my training runs/workouts doesn’t happen on vacation.
- Frantically writing list after list after list hoping that I don’t forget anything before we leave.
- Frantically trying to remember to make sure cats are fed, mail is brought into house, plants are watered, and now…some fabulous doggy daycare place takes care of my pride and joy, our 2-year-old boxer puppy love Layla.
- Frantic all around……
Even with the frantic schedule, I have always been grateful for the opportunity to go on vacation. It’s not about the destination so much as the opportunity to spend time with family. And not just the four who live in my house.
Flash back 14 years ago…..My Dad was getting ready for a bone marrow transplant. Our youngest son was just over two years old, and we decided to go to Florida with my parents so we could take our son to Disney. Ok, really, we decided to go to Disney so my Dad could see my son go to Disney. For you see, in the world of loving someone with cancer, nothing in life is guaranteed. While my son clearly has zero memory of going to Disney the first time, my parents and my husband and I have a very clear memory of going and the almost tactile symbolic nature of the vacation for my Dad’s cancer journey.
Flash forward 13 years later, we have continued to go on vacation with my parents nearly every year. While the location has changed from the oh so indulgent (and equally non-memorable to my very young children) all-inclusive trips to the Caribbean and Mexico to the more practical but equally lovely trips to Florida, the importance of the experience has remained constant.
As I prepare this week, I remember how grateful I am for the donor who gave his stem cells to my Dad, enabling him to remain in remission for over 13 years. I’m grateful to the doctors for the perseverance and compassion in his care. I’m grateful for the lessons learned in the importance of family. Yes, I honestly think about this every time we set out for vacation.
So in my “frantic” week leading up to this year’s vacation, I’m trying to reflect on the following……
- Keeping in mind the fragility life, in particular my Dad’s life, reminds me to show the clients I work with the same compassion and support that my Dad and our family have been shown for nearly 2 decades.
- Having a busy schedule makes me more determined to get my training runs in and makes me work out harder. I can be a lolly-gagger if given the opportunity.
- Lists keep me focused. I LIVE by my steno notebook that helps me remember what I need to do, and feel accomplished when I cross things off. I’m sure my iPhone has an “app” for that….but I’m old school.
- Remembering to trust my neighbors and friends to help us. It’s a lesson in humility for me. I’m reminded that we do no live on an island onto ourselves, and we need others. I’m grateful for the amazing neighbors.
- Lastly, I am reminded to take time to get a slurpie for my kids, lay with my dog Layla (Ok, I seldom need a reminder for that because she is so darn cute!), and reminded to breathe….and relax….and get a pedicure (yes, getting for sure even if time is limited) because what gets done. does. and what doesn’t…probably isn’t all that important anyway.
I’m frustrated when people don’t take the opportunity to spend time with family. Cancer entering our family made me face the uncertainty of life at and early age. I’ve never taken relationships for granted. It’s the “gift” cancer has given me. Over the past year, I’ve watched a neighbor and an Uncle die. Since then, I’ve watched their families work through grief. It’s painful to watch. My heart aches for them. While I wish that I could take away their pain, I’m aware that this is part of their journey, and I cannot.
What I can do, and will continue to do, is honor their memories by spending time with my family members on vacation….and remembering that time is precious. Vacation to me is this. Simple. Relaxing. A million of moments that may seem commonplace to some, but to me, are priceless.
Final thought for today…..”I sustain myself with the love of my family” Maya Angelou.
I’m grateful that no matter how horrible I was as a child, and more probably as a teenager (Yes, I was horrible!)….my parents always loved me. Focusing on that, helps to limit the frantic nature of this week leading up to the joy of vacation. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll have a pre-vacation week without any “frantic” time whatsoever.
Maybe…….
Peace……….
peaceinthejourney 