Every time I hear someone say that they are taking a vacation, it reminds me of that silly movie that talks about taking a VACATION FROM YOUR PROBLEMS. I laugh because I was worried about all the problems I was going to have from going on Vacation, but it turned out much better than I planned. Camping has been hard on me with my back and neck but still we did it all the time the kids were little. The last few years since my back has gotten so much worse, Jeff and the kids have had to do a lot of the vacations by themselves, and that is hard because we would much rather all be together.
So when Jeff and I talked about this spur of the moment vacation, I was worried about how I was going to sleep on the ground and Amy too (she is 7 1/2 months pregnant)? I told him that we had 2 twin mattress in the garage and we could strap them onto the top of the jeep. Jeff quickly replied " Lynn, I am not going to drive into a camp ground with 2 Sealy Posture Pedics strapped to our car" and then he laughed, actually everyone laughed... but me. I wasn't kidding but I didn't win out. However, our dear neighbor was thoughtful enough to ask us if we wanted to borrow their camping cot. We did and that is what I used and it worked great! I am still hurting some but....nothing compared to what I would have. Amy, John and Angie only stayed one night because they got sick, but Amy did pretty well on her own blow up mattress so...it was a good trip. Plus, below in the photo was the type of weather and scenery that we had the whole time at Fort Warden in Port Townsend. Isn't it a beautiful place?
I need to head to bed, we are all pretty wiped out, we now need a vacation after our vacation. But before I go to bed, I wanted to share something with you that happened there, it was very upsetting to me, yet it was a great lesson. Since all the camping areas were full, way before we even knew that we were going to go on vacation, we ended up in at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Port Townsend. It wasn't like most camp sites, it didn't have fire pits or things like that, but there was small camp grounds on the GRASS and showers / bathrooms within walking distance.
Anyway, there were camp sites for tent campers ( like us ) and then there were places for RV's to park too. One very tiny RV there was different though, because it looked like it had been there for a long time and it was very filthy. The grass was mowed everywhere else but there was high grass all around them. There was a car beside it that was crammed full of stuff and there was baby accessories out in the front of it ( swing, stroller and blankets. I couldn't believe that someone lived there, because I thought it was just a vacation spot? To make a long story short... we had to pass that little RV every time we went to the restrooms or left the Fairgrounds. Campers are usually very friendly and so we got to know some of the people there. The family that lived in that tiny RV was a mother and 2 small kids. She and I spoke a few times, I introduced myself and then I met her 5 year old son, her boyfriend and saw the 5 month old baby. I can't even believed that many people could even live in that tiny of a RV, but they did. They walked every where they went, I don't think the car even worked.
She told me that she had been there with the kids since the first of June, she said that her mom comes to visit sometimes, she is from one of the Islands close by. She told me that her grandmother lived close and that she and the kids went to see her every day. She also said that her grandmother was dying of Lung cancer. She said sometimes when she has to go somewhere, she has her little boy watch the baby. He is only 5 years old and yet watches his 5 month old sister! It was startling and unbelievable what their life must be and how they could even made it.
My heart felt like it was going to break just walking by there a few times every day. I wanted to go hold the baby, play with the little boy, he was so thin... I just wanted to feed him. I wondered for a moment, if we should give her money or food? Oh I knew the answer, but it still made me crazy to think that they had to live like that. It made me wonder how in the world her life ever ended up like that? I would imagine that she hasn't known any other life and my token gift... wouldn't change her life. I also had to remember some of the strongest people have come from the most humble circumstances. How does that work? I imagine that someone, somewhere befriended, loved or taught them. I also believe that some people just come with this incredibly courageous spirit and they make it...no matter what circumstances they come from. So I realized as I said good bye to their family today, that the best thing that I could do for them was PRAY! Pray that they stay fed, warm and safe, pray that someone helps and teaches them along the way. Yes, the old Proverb saying...came to my mind “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” That is exactly was Christ did when He was here on the earth. Prayer, that sounds so simple... but yet it is one of the most powerful things in the world that we can do for others and ourselves.
I came home tonight and looked at my house, it looks like a mansion compared to that little RV. I will count my blessings and try harder, to remember them and share them with others. Yes, it was a wonderful VACATION with my family, the only thing that would have made it better would have been if Brad and Krystal could have been with us. Yes...family.... that is truly one of life's greatest blessings. Good night dear friends
"Anything large enough for a wish to light upon, is large enough to hang a prayer upon." ~ George MacDonald
"As a people of faith, we know that prayer is a powerful instrument. And as one Nation under God, we know that many times our most powerful tool is prayer." ~ Nick Rahall
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