Hang On, It's Going to be a Bumpy Ride!!

I may or may not have mentioned in the past that we try to get together as a family, at least however many who are able and go on a big group vacation.  Now, to some of you, that may sound fun . . . and really, it is.  It can tend to be a bit of a logistical nightmare, which is why we also try to rotate who is in charge of booking things.  I think everyone should have that experience, don't you? 

As far as the actual trip, things work out pretty well.  We usually rent a large home and everyone has some private space and time.  As far as activities, if you want to do something, do it.  If you don't, no big deal.  If you want company, we have plenty of that to provide.  If you want to be alone, no one is offended.  It is actually pretty fun.

A few years ago, Superson and his new wife, the Stylist spent their first honeymoon with us.  I am still hurt by the fact that they did not invite us on their second honeymoon to Mexico.  (ha ha ha).  Seriously though, someone in my extended family did that. . . . took mom and dad on the honeymoon.  Let's just leave it at that.

We have done whitewater rafting trips which were amazing. .  . . . even the one where I was thrown from the raft during an 18 foot drop on a Class V rapid along with Mini Me.  (Our husbands swear they had nothing to do with it)  But anyway, I saw a video of a family being pulled behind a boat on a raft the other day and was reminded of a vacation when the kids were younger and unable to refuse to go.

We went to Georgia to visit my cousin.  His family loves to boat and they took us to  a nearby lake for a day on the water.  The kids had a blast.  They swam and got to water ski.  It was the perfect outing, until . . . I don't know what he was thinking, but my cousin offered to let my husband drive the boat. Now, at the time the oldest of the kids was around 18, making "The Surprise" 8 or 9. 

Something happens to a man when you put him in control of a powerful machine with an engine.  He lost all natural instincts to protect our children!  He actually seemed to lose his mind.  There was a glassy look in his eyes and this crazy looking smile.  This is all hindsight by the way.  None of us thought we would witness the carnage that took place.  First Bubby decided to try skiing.  His dad throttled the engine so fast that my son flew up into the air, came down on the water and somersaulted a bit.  Skis went everywhere, but his body remained intact.  Why, I don't know, but he decided to try it again.  I think we collected all his parts.  There was no third attempt.  My cousin did suggest a little gentler start but my husband was enraged with power!

Okay, the skis didn't work.  Maybe it would be better on a raft.  Mommy went first.  Can you fracture your tailbone on a rubber raft?  I am pretty sure she did when she was thrown around like a rag doll.  Again, my cousin suggested easing off the gas.  Perhaps he didn't notice the glazed look in Doc's eyes. 

Well, maybe if we put a few younger kids in the raft, he will go slower.  Maybe he was just crazy tested the courage of our two oldest.  So, the Blonde took her shot at it.  I will never forget the look on my cousin's wife's face as we pulled a bloodied child from the water.  To be honest, she gets bloody noses frequently, but this was a little over the top.  I tried to ease my cousin's conscience by actually saying that "it's no big deal, her nose bleeds all the time."  I heard me say it, and couldn't believe I thought it would work.  The controls were removed from Doc, mostly because no one else would dare to be the next victim!

So the moral to the story is . . . trust your father only to a certain point.  You can trust God all you want, but use caution with your earthly father, especially when engines and power are involved.   I hope you are able to plan some family time together soon.  It does not need to be any big trip, just time together without phones, etc.  Always remember to smile and laugh about the craziness and disasters that happen!