Wednesday, March 9

A different kind of dream vacation


When I was younger, I dreamed of vacation spots that looked like this:



Or this:


Or maybe this:


Maybe I dreamed about cobblestone streets and historic buildings.  Or perhaps I dreamed about glorious museums. Always, though, a vacation spot was some kind of preferred destination--some place I'd always wanted to go.

I'm on vacation this week, and this is the view from my room:



Nice, isn't it?

But I haven't dipped a toe in that pool. I haven't ventured onto a boat. I haven't walked on the beach. Why? Because this vacation wasn't about the destination. Sure, I'm in Florida, but the landscape isn't what I came to see. Instead, my vacation is about this:


That's my whole family, gathered around one table.

My oldest son (in the very back of the photo) became an officer in the U.S. Navy last fall. Since then, he's been at the Naval Air Station, in Pensacola, Florida, awaiting flight training. Soon he'll be part of the force of men and women who serve "around the world, around the clock." 

Oh, there are still plenty of spots on my list of preferred destinations. But for now, anywhere I can be with all of my children is a dream vacation for me.

Funny how dreams can change, isn't it?

How about you? What does your dream vacation look like?

12 comments:

  1. I agree with you, I think time with family in any location is the perfect vacation.
    Enjoy your time together.
    Jocelyn

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  2. There is no vacation better than one that includes my children and my grandchildren around the dinner table!!!! I love this post!!!!!!!

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  3. Best vacation of all is with family! I hope you had a wonderful time :)

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  4. That looks real good right there around that table. I always love it when the family can be all together. Glad you had this time and thank you to your son for his service to our country!
    http://happywonderer.com/

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  5. I'm with you. That is the best kind of vacation.

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  6. That truly is the best kind of vacation. I'm so happy for you, Richella!

    Warm hugs,
    Carol

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  7. Yes we always love being with our kids... have a wonderful time.
    Hugs, Roxy

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  8. Looks like a perfect vacation to me! - What a beautiful family! You must be very proud of your boys!

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  9. Hey Richella,

    After 21 years of being a stay at home mom with a large family and marginal finances, I don't even know if I dream vacation any more. But I do have to agree with you - now that several of my 6 children are grown and have flown the nest, having them all sit together at one table is a dream! It really doesn't get any better than that.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Tiffiney
    WelcomeHomeMinistry.com

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  10. Richella, that's lovely to see you and your entire family together. What a blessing!
    Over the Christmas holidays I traveled with my extended family (all 14 of us!) to a snow covered city. It was quite a treat for our kids to see snow for the first time after living in our sun-drenched island all their lives. Like you, the best part of it wasn't the destination, though that was nice. It was having our entire family together to celebrate a special time in our lives.

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  11. Richella, I am so happy to hear you are spending time with your family. Our son entered the US Navy five years ago and served in the USS Nimitz which has its homeport in WA. Can't even tell you now how many trips we have taken up north. :) Good luck to your son in his career and enjoy every minute together. Maria

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  12. it is funny how a dream changes over time...
    i am so thankful you had the time to spend with will and the rest of your smiling crew! as they get older these set aside days become even more precious than we could have ever imagined. the beach and the pool are both overrated when compared to your sons arms around your neck, or even his presence by your side :)

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