ISLANDS IN TIME: CHERISH THE MOMENTS (December 5 - 15, 2018)

Wyndham Reef Resort

Grand Cayman Island has been a regular destination of ours since we visited in 1994 for our 25th wedding anniversary.  We always look forward to a stop on our favorite island.  This year, after no problem with "stand-by" flights, we landed in Georgetown and headed for East End.  East End is on the far side of the island and is less commercial than the 7 mile beach area near Georgetown.  We enjoyed the relative quiet of two resorts there.  Our first 3 nights we stayed at the WYNDHAM REEF HOTEL AND RESORT thanks to our Wyndham Reward miles and the next week was spent at the neighboring, MORRITT'S TORTUGA CLUB RESORT.







Let's just say that, once again, we were not disappointed.  Both resorts were decked out for Christmas
and one of the schools on the island sent their children over for a Christmas concert.  Even though the 85 degree temperatures didn't lend themselves to it feeling like Christmas, it was apparent that the blessed holiday would soon be upon us.

WRECK OF THE 10 SAIL

We enjoyed visits to RUM POINT, WRECK OF THE TEN SAIL PARK, STARFISH POINT, the BLOW HOLES and our favorite island restaurant, OVER THE EDGE.  The remainder of the time was spent just laying on the beach soaking in the warmth of the Caribbean sunshine.  The ten day respite ended way too soon and we found ourselves back in the air headed to Kissimmee, Florida where we will, Lord willing, spend the next 11 weeks at the WYNDHAM CYPRESS PALMS RESORT.

REFLECTIONS

Every time we leave Grand Cayman we say that it might be the last.  Thus, we try to cherish every fleeting moment.  The final morning's sunrise is treasured and the early sun illuminating the sand is amazing.  The gentle waves licking the shore while the ocean waves crash on the not to distant reef are etched in my mind.  One last look before closing the door behind us and heading to the Owen Robert's airport and it is finished.  Another wonderful time in paradise.

As I sat in the back of the Delta Flight (Row 30, Seat F) I was reminded that that is really the way it should be with all of life.  Especially as we grow older, we should cherish each parting; each change.  Every time we are with family or friends we should drink in all the wonder and joy of the occasion.  We never know if it will be our last visit.  We should pause and drink in the moments that we have been afforded.  Life is too short to just rush past the places and people we love.

We must be careful not take our "islands" of time and relationships for granted.  We must determine to pause and take one more look around us and understand how blessed we are.

BLOW HOLES

A TIME FOR DEER AND THOSE DEAR TO US (November 9 - December 4, 2018)

We winged our way from the resort at Fairfield Glade,Tennessee back to Missouri and our son's home in Republic.  We would spend the time, before heading to Grand Cayman Island, visiting with his family, enjoying a family Thanksgiving in Branson, Missouri (Wyndham Mountain Vista), and, finally, in Indiana executing doctor and dentist visits and visiting Sherry's mom.

Nearly every day at Aaron's home, I spent some time in the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.  Sometimes hiking the numerous rustic trails and other times driving the 5 mile Loop Road looking for white tail deer.  Most of those drives were shared with my youngest grandson, Ethan.  We, also, saw him march in the Republic Holiday Parade.

Thanksgiving saw my daughter and her family drive in from Indiana.  We spent four days with everybody at the Wyndham Mountain Vista Resort in Branson.  We shared a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, watched both Indiana and Michigan lose football games, worked a giant crossword puzzle, and just hung out together.

We rode with Autumn's family back to Indiana and stayed a week before leaving for Grand Cayman Island. 



REFLECTIONS

As I sat in the van and watched the numerous deer graze in a recently harvested corn field, I reflected on how much I love the outdoors.  I have always been one that would rather sit on the porch or walk in the woods.  Hunting and fishing have been long time hobbies.  But, with the implantation of a pacemaker a decade ago, the hunting aspect of my outdoor enjoyment ceased.  The recoil of a shotgun to my device could be lethal.  Now I hunt with my camera.  It's not quite the same.  It doesn't provide meat for the table. 

Yet the hunt is the same.  Trying to figure out where the deer will be and where a good spot would be for the best shot (picture).  The excitement of seeing a big buck emerge from the woods right where you thought he'd be and knowing that your scouting and planning had paid off is still a rush.  And it's something I should be able to do for a long time.

I am reminded that when things change it is not time to just pout and give in to self pity and resignation.  It is time to explore other options and chances to continue to live a full and rich life, enjoying all that lies before you and never forgetting that "the best is yet to come".