Sanibel Island - The Bits and Pieces of Family Connections

I spent a lot of yesterday looking at the water and thinking about my past stays here at Ocean's Reach.  I have watched my children grow up here.  I see them here now with their own families.  This is the one place my brother will vacation.  We live a 1000 miles apart.  This place is where we have done most of our hanging out together since we have been grown. 

Yesterday was just a thinking-of-family-day in my head.  We have a past here, but we have a present too.  Cool Pa joins the roost this year.  He is a welcomed addition.  He fits right in.   My family is as welcoming to him as his family has been to me.  We are lucky to have such great kids.

COOL PA AT THE BEACH

I mean look at him ... doesn't he look like he is RETIRED!

Our home base on the beach.  

Also new to our family here in Sanibel is Allison.  She is the serious girlfriend of son Ian.  We love how easy going she is and that she laughs a lot.  

Ian & Allison on the beach

It occurred to me yesterday, I am the thread that binds all those here this year.  In years gone by I was responsible for all the meals, laundry, planning, cooking and general overseer of all things.  Now I am just the participant.  The lazy days are nice, yet I am thankful for the days I orchestrated the moments that became memories. 

Me sitting on the beach...OMG I am stressed....NOT!

We had an early evening thunder shower come in from over the water.  I love watching an approaching storm. 

A beautiful lighting show came with it.  The beauty of evening heat storms is that the lighting is less intrusive. You get a quick flash but no loud clap.  The water changes color, which I really wasn't able to capture.  It was a beautiful emerald green, with a thin line on the horizon of a blue-ish emerald color.

The storm from our balcony

But beach storms never last long.  And ... you can't keep a retired man down!

He says he is digging it .... EVERYDAY!

Today the youngsters are going off island to ride Go-Karts.  CP and I are hanging back.  I am going to float at the beach.  CP is going to sleep.  Later the whole lot of us are going to eat at Cheeseburger - Cheeseburger.  It is a tradition with my family.  It is brother Moose's thing, so we all are in for a penny and in for a pound. 

Brother Moose heading to his chair, with his daughter Ali following behind. 

It is my belief that every penny you spend traveling is the best investment you ever make.  Memories are my most treasured possessions.  

Personal Motto of Gator Moma :  You should either be on a trip or planning one at all times!

Amen to that!