Mike Parker: Family vacation: time for relaxing, bonding
Around 15 years ago, our family began a tradition of taking the week after Christmas as a time for a family vacation. For a dozen years or so, we traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC. This year, our destination was much closer – Atlantic Beach, NC.
All but four family members were able to make the trip. Anthony stayed home with Ben because Ben was enrolled in Driver’s Education. Honestly, the thought of Dare-Devil Ben behind the wheel is frightening.
Courtney and Taylor had to work. They are now adults and have bills to pay. Like many of us, working for holiday pay is a powerful incentive. Haley and Jaxen were able to come because they are still in school. Haley is working on a master’s degree, and Jaxen is returning to school for Industrial Technology.
Luke brought his new acquisition: an acoustic guitar. Since I knew he was bringing his, I brought my guitar, too. We spent part of the day playing together. Luke showed me some YouTube videos he was using to help him learn to play. He said he could not follow some of the videos because he did not have a capo. Needless to say, he now has a capo.
Each evening, one of the family groups prepared supper for everyone. Sara made spaghetti and chili, Pam and Michael made sliders and baked chicken. Rachel and Joe prepared ham, turkey and cheese sliders for another meal. We have a floating meal because none of the units we stay in can accommodate us all at one time.
I also made a point of taking my grand-girls to lunch one day, and the grand-guys to lunch on another day. I took the girls to the Four Corners Diner in Atlantic Beach. Since Four Corners closes at 2 p.m., I took the boys to Cox Family Restaurant in Morehead City. I love spending time with my grandchildren.
One of the more adult activities was watching football bowl games. We watched Penn State defeat Boise State on Dec. 31. On Jan. 1, we watched – maybe, half watched is a better term – the Texas-Arizona State game. By the end of the game, we were riveted as the teams went into double overtime.
The big game for me was Ohio State versus Oregon – a rematch of an earlier meeting this season when the Ducks waddled over us. The Jan. 1 meeting between the teams in the Rose Bowl was a different story. Ohio State jumped on the Ducks early and often. What was predicted to be a 2.5 edge for Ohio State turned into a 20-point drubbing.
Because of the tragedy in New Orleans, we had to wait until Jan. 2 to watch Notre Dame take on the Georgia Bulldogs. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, Brent’s favorite team, laid a shillelagh on the Dawgs. I understand the SPCA is investigating.
Sandra, Michael, Lydia and I went to see “A Complete Unknown,” the biopic based on Bob Dylan. We all enjoyed the story – and enjoyed the music even more.
My favorite times were when we would sit together after supper, and I told the grands what their parents were really like growing up. Of course, I stuck with the funny stories. I think the next generation enjoyed those tales as much as they did their video games – well, almost.
I have always been grateful for the closeness of our family in all its units. The cousins are friends as well as kin. All my children are close. No drama mars the love we have for each other.
I doubt any of my extended family understand the depths of joy these yearly family vacations bring to me.
I am blessed, indeed.
Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
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