Kalahari Trip: Part Two

On our annual family vacation, I actually learned two things: 1. It's all about the kids. 2. More importantly, it's also about the adults!

While I detailed all the fun the kids had on the trip, I left out the more important aspect of this trip. The adults also had a blast! Most of the year adults must be adults. We cook dinners, make beds, do laundry, go to work, and try to relax a little when life presents a moment. However, on this trip the adults were able to do something we never do-- be kids again.

We acted like adolescents as we scurried on each ride available. Of course, you couldn't ride a ride until your children were accounted for, but when that moment arrived, what fun we had! I loved watching each of us get off of a thrilling waterslide. Our eyes were lit up and we had gigantic smiles gracing our faces. Some of us forget we even have these smiles when we get so busy. Jeff, Chris, Tim, and I rode the aforementioned "Toilet Bowl" ride and we were laughing and screaming like children.

We acted like our old college counterparts once we put the kids to bed. All of us would stay up chatting and drinking and sharing stories with each other. I just have to smile thinking of it. We always share the same stories of crazy stunts we pulled when we were younger, and we all still crack up as if it is the first time we have ever heard the story. Yet, we could probably repeat the story verbatim with the story teller. Mom and David had a thrilling duet of a Jimmy Buffet song that was worth watching. We listened and talked about music as well as ate cold pizza left over from dinner. We would then creep into our adjoining rooms after midnight, weary but exhilarated! Unlike college, our wake up call would arrive with the sun.

Growing up in a house of four children, we didn't always get along. However, I now relish the times that we all gather together and have time to just talk like we did this weekend. I have been so blessed with an amazing family, and my gratitude for my family is enormous. I am grateful that my parents see the importance of us all getting together and have facilitated this trip for us. I will look forward to next year's location which I am sure will bring more memories of laughter, swimming, exhaustion, chatting, and nostalgia.