New Amazements After Ten Days Off

Thanks to my wonderful parents, my little family of three was able to experience Alaska and other parts of the Northwest. We have a pretty darn good life, but it just went to a new level and I want to share some thoughts after seven hours of being home.

1. Our cruise to Alaska brought many, almost non-stop amazing, inspiring and expanding experiences from both a natural environment and a people perspective. I am in awe of our trip.
2. I try to live in the moment and maintain a sense of wonder, I think I do pretty well with that, and I am not nearly as successful as I would like. I actually lived in the moment with continuous wonder the last 10 days and I just keep smiling.
3. Upon returning home at midnight, cleaning my frogs (oops – I mean Colson’s frogs) and greeting the cats, I awoke a few times last night, each time expecting a morning fog that would unveil a new day of wonders. When I realized I was home I kept on smiling and went back to sleep. What an amazing way to wake up! I never want to lose that feeling.
4. Rest is important. I rarely rest and I have never vacationed like this. I haven’t vacationed for any length of time since Colson was born. Prior to getting pregnant, Ryan and I spent 11 days in Europe, and this was phenomenal, but not restful because there was no off switch. We wanted to experience as much as we could. Our Alaska cruise, in contrast, was restful and the amazing experiences kept rolling in. I didn’t think I was a cruise person, but I learned that being on a cruise forces me to STOP experiencing, scamper back to the ship before it left (although being left in Alaska would be plenty fine!) and do nothing but enjoy the company of my family and the other cruisers. We shared each others’ experiences and joys, and when we weren’t doing that we were staring at the stunning scenery and getting psyched each time a whale, otter or sea lion cruised by or a glacier calved. I relished every moment.
5. I had no cell phone or computer available most of these 10 days and I relished that too. My efforts to minimize my screen time have gotten a real kick in the pants. Other than a 7:30 pm check of my homeschool email loop to ensure that activities for the next day will occur as scheduled, I am off of the computer starting at 6:00 pm each day. It was fantastic not having the electronic albatross available.
6. I moved away from my parents/family 26 years ago (I was only 21) and the disconnection that geographic distance brings can be quickly thrown aside. Ten days adventuring with my parents, siblings and their spouses was perfect and I am grateful for them. I am especially grateful that my parents gave us all this opportunity.