la vida en Puerto Rico: El tiempo dedicado a papá...Time spent with dad

!Hola to all
I have been away from the computer longer than usual, as our weekend with dad took an unexpected turn. His flight was canceled, and we had one extra day with him. This was a welcome extension to his trip, but a big hassle as far as all the confusion and lack of organization at the airport. His new flight, the following day, was even delayed, and he did not get home until 2 in the morning. In spite of the trouble at the end of his stay, we had a WONDERFUL time with dad. After picking him up from the airport, and watching in anticipation as each passenger came around the corner to the baggage claim, everyone anxiously tried to fill dad in on all that was happening here in Puerto Rico. He and I had a fabulous dinner date at the most wonderful little carribean cabana on the beach just down from where we stay. The next day we headed west with the kids to hike a trail that lead us to some spectacular caves. Interestingly, I came across a travel site where someone had posted the directions to a private trail which individuals can hike on their own, without having to pay for the big tours. These are always the most fun. With my computer printout in hand, bearing an unknown travelers precise directions by highway, to the trailhead, and up the rocky path to the cave entrance, this mom lead the way! These were not the deep caves the tour guide takes all the tourists through (we will have to see those another time). These were in fact caves at the very height of a mountain. If you are wondering how that could be, see the photos; they speak for themselves! I think the kids agree, like the rainforest, this was one of their "coolest" adventures so far. We were truly alone in these caves, except for a couple of flashlights, and bats hanging above....and dad, of course. These situations are always better when dad is around. After the cave, we headed about 2 more hours west in search of a snorkeling beach in the town of Rincon which we had visited in June, on our first visit to the island. This trip was not as successful, as we did not see much. We have asked around, and many locals tell us the waters stay stirred up this time of year from the tropical storms. High tourist season doesn't begin unitl December. We will wait and try snorkeling then. We had forgotten about the traffic along the roads off the main highway, and it was a very long day in the car. Myself, always the one to keep things level, had to remind everyone, more than once, "At least we are all together!" This didn't seem to satisfy while sitting still in bumper to bumper traffic with motorist that adhere to no form of traffic laws, and in a vehicle that doesn't cool real well.
After such a long day in the car dad declared, "No more driving" for the rest of the weekend, and it was great. From our apartment, we walked everywhere we wanted , or needed, to go the rest of the weekend: to eat, to the grocery store, and of course spent most of the time on the beach. Dad bought some beach toys while he was here; an unexpected treat for the boys. However, I think Naomi may get more use out of Hunter's sufboard than he will. She is going to take a surfing lesson or two, while Hunter, with the true heart of a 16 year old boy, thinks he can teach himself. No lesson needed for this big guy! Boy, is that spiritual material to chew on?....the pride of a teenager; the pride in us all when we think we know how to do things, and are unwilling to learn from the Master himself. Even Wyatt says he wants to take a lesson from the "master" surfing instructor. I wonder what age that pride thing gets us? I'm convinced, after having five kids, it's somwhere between 9 and 16! At nine years old Wyatt is still so willing, and eager, to learn new things. It is precious. If only it would remain that way. Dad bought Wyatt his own "toy" in the form of a skin board. He tried and tried until he has finally gotten pretty good at it. He waits every day to walk down to the beach to ride his board. He gets tired, a little frustrated and banged up (when it comes back and hits his ankles), but he loves it.

~ In the absence of my husband, I think only of his good qualities, those I miss the most. And seeing each other again, after four long weeks, couldn't have been sweeter. As I reflect on our time together this past weekend, the special dinner date we had, the time spent watching him spend time with the kids, and literally play and talk with them (each in a different way), I wonder to myself, "Why does it take separation to make us truly appreciate those we love the most?" And, "Why is it so hard to live every day with those we couldn't otherwise live without?" The weekend with dad was so special because it was ordained by the Lord as a reflection of how we should live every day as a family, really savoring the moments with one another...I pray that you will have special dinners with your spouse (and kids), really play with your children no matter what their age, and talk to each of them about what's going on in their lives, what they need to work on, and what goals they need to set! I pray that David and I take this time of separation to heart, and learn to apply these lessons all the more often. Life is too short, grace is what keeps us together with our loved ones, and in the end "the only place we need to see before we die is this place of seeing God, here and now" (Voscamp, One Thousand Gifts 33). What a beautiful reminder of the Lord being in the "hear and now". My final prayer is that you will have eyes to see that today, with the ones you love the most!
Make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. ~ Ephesians 5:16
Love is.... ~ 1Corinthians 13 ( a refresher course on how to truly love our loved ones)