You can edit the photo, but not the memory

The last time I saw my Happy Place, I wanted to mark the moment with a photograph. Isn't that what we all do? Aren't we all documenting our lives through photos and photo sharing these days?

Well, I was looking for the photo to capture the place and time that I absolutely cherish. And then, there was this guy. This guy and his laundry.

My Happy Place, is a palm tree on a beach, outside the Atlantis Hotel, on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It's just a single palm tree, on a tiny stretch of beach, surrounded on two sides by the ocean, but for me it's Utopia. It represents all that is bliss and perfection in a holiday. I love this palm tree. Seriously. Now, of course, as a traveller I've seen hundreds, maybe thousands of palm trees and sure, I like them all. But this is the ONE. It's my screensaver. It's my wallpaper. It's.... it's..... my HAPPY PLACE.

When I am stressed, or scattered and I need to find my peace and my focus, I take my mind to this tree. I feel the breeze, I hear the ocean and I go back to a time when I was there and I was calm and rested.

So, back to the guy and his laundry.....

My family goes trotting out to this area of beach to see the palm tree, and along comes another tourist with an armload of towels. He unceremoniously tosses them down on the sand, in a heap. Then he proceeds to walk another 12 feet or so, to the palm tree and park himself underneath it. He just lay there. He just lay there....completely ruining my shot. Him and his pile of laundry!

See him and his pile of yellow towels?

"What the Hell? This isn't your laundry room!" I thought. "Not your basement! Not YOUR tree!" But of course, it really isn't my tree either. I shook my head and smiled, "what luck" I thought. So I simply encouraged my family to enjoy the beach. Play in the water, relax and take your time. Do whatever. "We'll wait." I figured at some point he'd get up, gather his laundry and go. Then I could have my postcard photo, and blissful moment to capture.

But no. Laundry guy thinks it's a jolly idea to linger, to "camp", if you will. Dozens of other tourists come and go in the area. They take photos. They're obviously posing. They're taking their photos in spite of his presence. He is, of course, oblivious.

"Get your picture and let's go" says my husband. "Just edit him out like you would a zit."

Now it's sunset & he's still here! Him and his laundry!

Really? Is this a school photo? I'll just blend him into the sand? Is that what my husband thinks? Now, yes, I do have the skills and it's not that hard to do, but how do I edit the memory? I can wipe Laundry Guy off the beach with a swoosh of my mouse, but how do I get him out of my relaxation ritual?Laundry, is not exactly what I would consider peaceful, or happy. Laundry is a chore! I have two sons. They play hockey. Laundry is not my happy time. Ugh.

The birds are a nice distraction, but I still see him in this sepia version.

Obviously, I'm left with no other choice than to call a do-over on this vacation. I simply must return to see my tree again, and make a new postcard memory. Frankly, I don't see any other choice. So, thanks, "Laundry Guy" I'm going to have to go to the Bahamas again. "Darn!" (She says squealing with joy and dancing a jig.) I'm just going to have to go back!

Simply cropped. But "yuck" my tree doesn't grow in the water. I NEED sand in the photo!

Mama said

Mama said there'd be days like these.

Did "she" know there would be such crazy adventures? Or is every day just what you make of it?

Will my boys remember into the future, things I say today? Or for them, will it be the actions I took, rather than the words I used?

Not just as a parent, but in general, I do my very best to only make promises I can keep. I also try not to get into situations where I would disappoint my kids. For example, I would never take my kids to an ice cream store and not get them ice cream. Right?  Well, why would I hold them back from wet and wild adventures, if I'm the one who took them to the waterpark?  I wouldn't.

But boy, did I have my hands full!

The waterpark or "Aqua Adventure" at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas is a thrill a minute. From the "not so" lazy river, to the Abyss or the Falls, it's all a wild time. But, still, not my idea of a good time! Here's the thing.... I don't actually like to swim. I don't like roller coasters and I don't like to be in a bathing suit in public. And pretty much this is EXACTLY what I'd gotten us into. Yep, I willingly planned a family vacation to the incredible Atlantis Resort. (It's such an incredible place. I love, love, love Atlantis!)   Aqua Adventure is an absolute dream come true - for anyone who likes water, and fun. And while I'm not opposed to water, and I do like a little adventure, this kind of thing repels me. And then I see the boys.

My boys are beaming with joy, vibrating with anticipation and looking at me like I'm a hero for leading them to this glorious place.  Ry screams, "Mom, lets go! Lets's do the serpent ride! It goes through the shark tank! C'mon!"

My gut screams "noooooo" but my mouth shouts, "yeah! Race ya' there!"  And there's one reason I do it. I am absolutely committed to showing my kids a good time. I will not let my fears hold them back from trying new things in their lives. I will not let my fears cripple them into living a sheltered life. I will not hold them back from trying new things and finding what they love to do. And if it means that I have to fight my own inner battles in order to participate fully, then that's exactly what I'll do. I view it as a privilege to be witness, and often co-conspirator in their shenanigans.

After the serpent ride and the falls, Ry and I tackled the "Challenger Slides" together. It's a steep, 5 second race to the water. After our first race, I was gasping and snorting water and just happy I survived. Ry joyfully screams at me, "that was soooo awesome, we HAVE TO do it again!"  Ugh, I think but rather, I reply "Hell ya'." This gets him fired up and we clamber to the stairs to go up again for another race. "You're the best" he tells me as we wait for another turn.  As I stand there, catching my breath and processing his heartfelt compliment, I think to myself "yeah, I am doing a good job. This optimistic, fearless boy is going to be ready to take on the world. If he can get ME out at a waterpark, laughing and racing and in a bathing suit, there's really nothing he can't do."  And that's how I'll measure success.

Challenger Slides

In the meantime, I guess I'll be enjoying the days like these. Nothing beats togetherness and shared laughter with your kids.