Thank God for Our Vacation

A few weeks ago our family took a vacation.  First stop, my son's tournament then continue on to the beautiful beaches of Alabama.  I couldn't tell you the last time I vacationed away from home for more than 4 days, so this was an absolute treat for all of us.  The firsts were not just for me, for my children certainly had their share of new experiences.  Some were things I was able to impart, like their first time out of Texas, their first visit to New Orleans and beignets at Café Du Monde.  Other firsts were things we shared, like staying in a beach house, kayaking in the ocean and visiting some iconic tourist spots among many others.  This vacation was special for many reasons not all of which I'll reflect on now, but so you know this has already proven  to be one of those gifts that keeps on giving.  First of all, it was a much needed time of mandatory rest and relaxation for me.  That is not to say that there were not some bumps along the way.

So, we left on Friday for Jay's lacrosse tournament in New Orleans.  Due to some pretty harrowing rainy thunderstorms our five hour drive easily turned into eight.  It was somewhere about hour four that I realized I had forgotten my medication.  Now, as you know I have been making some significant progress in that area, so my medication travels with me strictly for "in case of emergency" situations.  Let me assure you, if you have never crossed the 23-mile, 2-lane, no shoulder, unlit bridge that goes over the center of  Lake Pontchartrain during a rainstorm in the complete dark of night - well, let's just say that would constitute an emergency anxiety situation.  Which reminds me, I should probably see about getting my fingernail impressions out of the inside door handle of the car.

By Tuesday we were already a couple of days settled in at the lovely beachfront house we would call home for the rest of the week.  The kids would get up at the crack of dawn (which, by the way, is earlier when you are so close to the time zone line) and go fish on the beach.  We wore a swimsuits everyday and didn't need shoes nearly at all.  One of the families that vacationed with us really were the guides of our vacation experience. These folks are no strangers to all things fishing, boating and beach life in general and it made for an exciting adventure we would not have otherwise enjoyed.  But about Tuesday... So, the kids would bait the rod that was anchored on the beach and then take bait out on the kayak and drop it a few hundred yards out and kayak back to shore.  The object being to catch bigger fish than what they could attract by fishing in waist deep surf.  By mid afternoon, this technique had landed a shark over 5 feet long up on our beach.  And for all you animal lovers, no need to panic - we released him back into the water.  It was quite an experience that we (and our beachfront neighbors) will likely not forget anytime soon.  In case of emergency situation #2, if you're keeping count.

I did see this vacation as a way to test my nerve, however.  I climbed into a kayak for the first time and went out alone beyond the surf.  It was blissful to be out on the water pushing my body and my mind to do something new.  Of course, that was before capsizing into water that was well above my head (Intro JAWS music).  I went back out on that kayak a few days later with a friend and got out to where the boys were dropping bait all week.  Although I couldn't get back to shore fast enough, I'm proud to say I managed not to panic and not to capsize me and my friend into "big fish" territory.  I watched my son stand up paddle board far out past where the water changes color when I realized he didn't have a life vest on.  And then I watched him skillfully come all the way back in.  While I realize these adventures might be small potatoes to most folks, they are huge obstacles for me and I will take them in stride.

Everyday since our vacation ended I have thought about the progress this one week has marked for me.  I have reflected on how many times I was able to silence that nagging voice that always ensues fear and panic.  But what may be even more remarkable is recalling everything we did and realizing how many times I didn't worry about things that usually trigger my anxiety.  While images of my family enjoying our time together and the experiences we were blessed with are certainly reasons to appreciate this trip, I think this is the reason why I keep thanking God each day for our family vacation.