Memories: the Annual Family Vacation

 

We have broken a family tradition. Every summer my husband, Ernie, and I have rented an oceanfront house in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. We started when my first grandson was one year old. Now he is 23 and has two brothers, 19 and 15 years old. We may have skipped a year a couple of times. Hurricane Florence destroyed our summer plans in 2018.

This year, my daughter and son-in-law picked out a house on the sound side of the Crystal Coast. While we may miss being lulled to sleep by the rhythmical sound of the waves, truthfully, we have spent less time sitting on the beach and swimming in the ocean over the years. This is also true for our grandsons.

Now they follow their own agendas. They still go to the beach, this year driving a golf cart instead of walking down a flight of stairs from the house. Guess which is more fun for the boys? On the sound side they can fish, crab, and ride in the kayaks their father has rented. There is less family time since they have brought friends to share the fun.  

My husband and I, more sedate than in the past, bask in reflections rather than interactions. Contributing less to the daily duties of the household. Enjoying dinners that we no longer need to plan or cook.

All members of our family are growing older. As we age, some grow stronger, taller, more adventurous, and outwardly social. Others grow introspective and less adventurous, seeking different leisure pursuits, challenges.

The week vacation ends tomorrow. My daughter and her husband will dive back into their hectic jobs. The grandsons will face summer school, jobs, maturity, and the wonders of life.

Ernie and I will return home with warm memories of the week at the annual family vacation.