Summer fun with Grandchildren
by Elayne
(Michigan)
Blessings are the things in life that we are surrounded by, that money can't buy, that we often take for granted and rarely say thank you for.
I'm 71 years old and I have been fully retired for about 9 years. My 3 grandchildren live about 3 hours away and as they've grown up and gotten involved with their friends, sports and family activities, I don't see them as much as I used to or would like to. I try to make the trip to see them in their sports activities, but lately, I've been having so health problems. Talking on the phone is definitely not enough.
So this year I asked them and their parents if I could take them on a vacation - just me and the girls. I let them chose the location and the week that would be best for them. Scheduling was more difficult than I expected because the 19 and 16 years old have summer jobs and all 3 have sports camps to attend. But we worked it out.
We spent 6 days together at Siesta Key, Florida and it was so much fun. We flew into Tampa, rented a car and drove south. Purchasing groceries in Sarasota to make breakfast and lunch at the rented beach villa was their excellent idea.
They each took a turn at making their favorites for dinner - mac and cheese, shrimp tacos and pasta with sauce. Two days we ate out at a Mexican and a seafood restaurant.
It was wake up, eat, beach, eat, naps, pool, eat...you get the pattern...lol. There was sun every day (a pleasant change from the Michigan rain) and the most amazing white sand beaches and beautiful sunsets that I've ever seen. The travel plans went so smoothly and I attest that to prior planning for every situation that could have arisen.
While we were waiting at the airport to fly home, we reminisced about the things we'd done, laughed about me driving over those mile high bridges to get to the Keys, and stopping at the mall close to the airport for a little shopping. We returned home last night and they drove home this morning - safely and with gratitude for a lifelong memory.
Who knows, we might be able to do this again in the near future, but maybe not. I've had back problems for the last year and I have surgery scheduled in 2 days. We'll see...
