Being Away

There are some vacations that are filled with visiting family and friends, attending celebratory events, or are packed with an agenda of things to do. The best vacation for me is one spent at the beach, and near a pool. I don't want to have any type of agenda, except to go with the flow, relax, and live totally in the moment.

My real world existence is filled with a never ending 'to do' list, responsibilities, expectations, and time deadlines. While away, I just want to exit from the real world and spend quality time outdoors, soaking up the sun, and enjoying my family, without any distractions.

This past vacation was the best! We spent the week on a private island on the coast of South Carolina, away from traffic and commercialism, and just communed with nature.

Every day Jeff, Zack and I would get up, have a leisurely morning, and then pack up the stroller to take a 10 minute walk to the ocean for Zack to chase the seagulls, run in the water and dig in the sand. There were very few people there so we were able to experience the environment with little intrusion.

Then after awhile, we would stroll from the ocean to the pool, and spend the rest of the morning with me laying on a chaise lounger, watching Jeff and Zack enjoy bonding time in the water. Zack would jump off the edge of the pool to daddy, they would splash around together in the lower end, play with his water toys, and enjoy the other kids that were around each day. Then after lunch and a nap it would be back outdoors enjoying some activity together.

I believe that dedicated time, every day, really helped to solidify Jeff's relationship with Zack. Before our vacation Zack would spend time with dad, but there was still a lot of "mommy, mommy" -- now there is an equal amount of "daddy, daddy."

The week we spent away becomes one of those priceless moments that will always be held dear in our minds because it provided quality time experiencing.....what is really important in life!