Family Vacation

Much has been written about the 'Family Vacation'. Early on in my life I can remember seeing National Lampoons movie, Vacation, starring Chevy Chase. I laughed at the many crazy things they did, mostly as an observer of how crazy these parents acted during their drama filled trip. Then the got to Wally World - and everything turned out okay.

Last weekend I found myself at my own 'Wally World', except in my home state it is called Michigan's Adventure. It is a combination waterpark/amusement park so their is something for everyone. One of the things that struck me early in the day was the fact that I was relaxed and having fun. Surprised? Well, let me share some of the details - the temp was 90+, the waterpark was so crowded the wave pools were like bumper cars with people as the cars, there was no real place to sit down, and the lines in the waterpark were 15 - 25 minutes long in most cases. There was very little shade and one wave pool actually closed for cleaning in the middle of the day. Not sure why - but I had the Caddy Shack Baby Ruth scene in my head and it made it hard to go back in. I was hot and thirsty for most of the day. So does that sound fun too you?

But it was fun. And it was fun mainly because I watched my kids having fun and realized that if I could look at the day through their eyes - it would be a good day. Now I am not saying that I have always been this wise. Although I have always seen the value of the family vacation as a father - when the kids were younger it would often take me 2-3 days to get into the rhthym of the vacation and actually enjoy it. It was always stressful to see sleeping/eating schedules disrupted, be away from the baby safe house, and not have the refuges to escape the commotion.

We are our own worst enemies on these vacations. I learned long ago to value the relationships/memories that are created by these jaunts - and then the pain that often accompanies the process becomes a lot smaller. Seeing the excitement of grandparents holding their grandchildren, watching cousins become friends, watching aunts/uncles become familiar, and seeing children experience wonder are things that are all there - we just need to look for them a little more.

My advice - watch the movie with your life to give you something to laugh at while you live your own movie - but when your eyes are not seeing the value try looking through the eyes of someone else.