Don't hate me, but we slept in again this morning. We woke up at 9:25. I know, right?!? I was even jealous of myself. Ed and I leisurely strolled to breakfast and then took a walk around the property. In reality, we were just killing time all morning in anxious anticipation for our afternoon plans.
This afternoon, we met the Stewarts.
Jill Stewart and her lovely sister in law, Jaime (Adam Stewart's sister), picked us up from the hotel and gave us a tour of Negril!
From the moment we met, we felt like we'd known each other for years. Have you ever had that experience? We talked and talked and laughed and joked and it was all very easy. These are lovely people - very real and down to earth - and we loved learning more about their families and lives.
We're so grateful to the Stewart family for the generous gift of our stay here. Even though I'm really not a beach girl (ummm....hello? Can you say poodle hair?), the beach and the ocean and the Jamaican people have been like balm for our soul this week.
Ed and I walked away from Jill and Jaime in agreement - our afternoon with them was the highlight of our trip. It's more than the generous gift of the rooms this week... more than even the gesture. To us, it proves that even in our darkest hour we can see the best in people. That we can make connections with others... heart to heart... just by telling our story.
I'm not sure it's possible to convince two ladies who live on a Caribbean island that it would be great fun to visit Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to visit us... but we'll do our best. Either way, today we felt like we made friends for life.
Tomorrow is our last full day here and we plan to make the best of it! We're going on a snorkeling excursion in the afternoon! And, as usual, I'll be raiding all of the dessert buffets. Apparently, Hope has a sweet tooth. Okay, that's not true. She doesn't have any teeth. But I do - and they love desserts. And Hope gives me a great excuse to eat a lot of them. I may or may not have knocked someone over when I saw there was one piece of chocolate cake left tonight. I'll never tell.
In other news... here are some of the photos from home! Brian is doing great and had so much fun with Granny and Aunt Bean and his cousins.
I continue to share in your joy. You are so blessed that Brian has family to help him enjoy himself, too. I'm sure the little break was good for him, too, as it helped him redirect his thoughts for a time. I pray when you come home refreshed and relaxed you'll let your helpers assist you and lower your demands a bit on what you expect from yourself. You stepped away and the world kept turning. In fact, if improved for all of your family. Welcome home and accept the gift at face value as it was given. That's the best return gift of thanks you can humbly give to all.
ReplyDeleteThat's very beautiful!
DeleteLOVE these posts Kate!! I feel like you and Ed needed this little vacation so badly!! I am so happy for you guys! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteLove this!!!! Its like hearing lightness in your voice again. It doesnt take away the pain or the loss but I hear that balm of Jamacia and the Stewarts working. Chocolate heals too! :-P
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time! (Im totally jealous of your sleeping in!) Do it again for the rest of us!
I LOVE that you have this opportunity to finally have some time together to actually get to relax and enjoy...you SO deserve it! And I had to laugh out loud at your comment about the chocolate cake...too funny! Enjoy the remainder of your time, knowing Brian is in good hands.
ReplyDeleteA prior post said exactly what I was thinking. I do hear light in your voice. Enjoy your last day.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you Kate. I hope you enjoy this time and the memories of it for years to come <3.
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