I am writing this column while I am hours away from boarding a plane to go on a Caribbean cruise with my mom and dad. I am so excited, yet this is a hard time to get away. There are lots of Christmas bazaars, church luncheons, gift shopping to do, and Christmas cards to mail. I feel I have been going non-stop for the past two weeks just to get ready for the trip.
I plan to go offline the entire 14-day cruise!
I have been feeling some guilt about this trip. It seems an extravagant gift to myself and a generous gesture from my husband, Mike. Then I was reading about enjoying life while you can. I don’t know how my health will be in a year or even next month. When opportunity gives you a wave, grab that hand and hold on for dear life.
I just read a quote that “if you start to look like your driver’s license photo, you need a vacation.” I must say my picture isn’t half bad, but I look tired each and every day.
Never have I ever spent time away in December. Yet preparation for this trip has me re-evaluating gift-giving this year. I am choosing unique gifts over the number of gifts. My children are older now and appreciate the message of the season over presents.
On my side of the family, each person makes a handmade gift, spending no more than $20.00 on supplies. I treasure these gifts more than anything. It’s also fun to see how creative the family can be. We have knitters, woodworkers, bakers, and craftspeople of all kinds. Pinterest is an excellent resource for this project.
Just coming off from a Thanksgiving turkey high, I can say we have so many things to be thankful for this year. It has been hard with the loss of family members and a good friend, but I wouldn’t change a day or the time I was given to say goodbye.
On the upside, I have my health and the health of my parents to enjoy for 14 days of cruising! Peace, Sandy
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~ Mark Twain
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