Jamexica!! A Family Event!

On occassion I find myself doing a life review, not in a macabre fashion, but simply in a wow have I been around for that long! And each time I do this I am very happy with my life! Of course there are always - What if... but everyone has those in their lives.

A few months ago I was in the middle of one of these moments of reflection when I thought about chapters in our lives. And we were approaching the end of another chapter. Neil was graduating from university. Not that we ever thought he wouldn't but still its was such an accomplishment. And then I realized that John had been working in the real world for almost a year. And thinking further I thought of Ali - our baby - only 3 semesters from finishing her geology degree. Where had the time gone. Time - time spent - time together - oh my - Bob and I had been together almost 29 years! We must celebrate all of these landmark events! where better to do it than together as a family in a nice place. Mexico had provided all of us with great holidays and wonderful memories in the past. We should do it there!!!

Now, to plan! which I love to do. The difficult part will be to find a time when we can all go. Finding an opportune time for five of us will be challenging, but trying to find a time when eight of could go would be almost impossible. Our family event is going to include Kevin who had been with our family for over two decades and very special friends of Neil - Nicole and Ali - Scott.

The middle of May turned out to be the best time for everyone. Around the 20th of April I started the booking process. By the first few days in May it became very apparent that we would not be going to Mexico. The Swine Flu - now know as H1N1 - hit Mexico with a vengeance. Air Transat cancelled all flights and vacations to Mexico! What to do?? We desparately wanted a vacation, no one wanted to cancel. After the worst winter in years, exams to just about make you want to commit harikari and just working, we all wanted this break.

The Travel Agent called to say two other possibilities might be available for us: Domincan Republic or Jamaica. The dates would work for Jamaica. Ya Mon!! Once we all got our heads around this change in direction - we were very excited.

As we checked out the reviews and the photos of the Iberostar in Montego Bay - it seemed that it would be a fine alternative to Mexico. My bottom line was that we would all be together to celebrate the great landmarks in our lives.

The morning of May 15th we headed to the airport hearing terrible weather reports for Calgary for the next week - good thing we were leaving.

It was a six hour flight - but the flight and the movement through the airport was smooth. We checked with the bus driver once on the bus .and he said we were at the Iberostar Beach. A little disappointing as I thought we were at the Suites. Upon check-in at the Beach I suggested that I thought we were at the next hotel - the Suites - well before I could say more - the young lady behind the desk said she would be happy to upgrade us to the Suites!! We jumped on the golf cart and headed to our upgrade! While we checked in with Jason - the young man behind the desk at the Suites who was working on finding us rooms. The rooms weren't quite ready so we checked out the lobby bar.

A few minutes later we entered our home for the next week and lo and behold we were in an ocean front room! As I phone everyone else - to suggest a meeting in the lobby bar before dinner - there was lots of excited chatter about how everyone had ocean front rooms - literally just a minute walk down the stairs to the beach!

As we gathered in the lobby bar I could feel the beginning of a great week!

When I awoke the next morning - I couldn't believe how beautiful the view was from our room! Looking out to see the ocean and seeing the bright sunshine glistening off the waves was simply breathtaking.

We started our day with a run around the resort. It was a great way to see the hotel and the grounds around it. We managed to get John to come out with us. Wow was it hot! As we made our way back to the beach area we started to see some of the rest of our gang. Hanging out at the beach! Everyone was in great spirits - just happy to be on holidays!

The first couple of days passed with lots of sun, a little rain and only a couple of minor sunburns. When the rain would come in the late afternoon, some of us would head to the beautiful spa for a soak in the tubs or some used the fitness centre.

Each evening we would gather for happy hour and chat about the day. These are some of the most special times in my life, having my family and our special friends all together everyday for a whole week. We had dinner together every night. I had planned a toast for five of the dinners we had together. I wanted to recognize the milestones and the special people in our life! The second night we had dinner in the Steakhouse I toasted Neil and his accomplishment of finishing his Engineering degree. Its never an easy road to an Engineering degree, but for fellows like John and Neil who have unbelievable artistic abilities it is definitely challenging.

The next night while having dinner at the Gourmet restaurant I toasted our three special friends who we were so happy to have with us, Kevin, our long time family friend and Ali's Godfather, Nicole, Neil's girlfriend and Scott, Ali's boyfriend. We are happy to welcome these special people in to our family.

On Monday we went on our first excursion - a catamaran trip! We had the opportunity to snorkle in Montego Bay, then visit Margaritaville. That night we were able to sample Jamaican food again at the buffet, which was outstanding. My toast this evening was to our Ali! She has worked very hard the last three years working on her Geology degree and worked equally hard at playing on the U of C Varsity women's team. And to be able to do that and to still have a social life including having a boyfriend, well done, Ali.

On our fifth night, we enjoyed a interactive dinner at the Japanese restaurant. Our cook sang us through the dinner. What a great experience!!!

On Wednesday while Ali and Nicole tortured themselves yet again with Beach Aerobics! the rest of us took a short excursion off the beach for snorkling.

This place had something going on for everyone all the time!! After Happy Hour this evening we found the Cajun Restaurant. I toasted our Johnny - he had been working for almost a year and yet had continued to keep balance in his life with hockey and language classes. I am very proud of each of our kids. They have all worked very hard to get where they are today.

Thursday, our last full day, found us heading to the top tourist attraction in Jamaica - Dunn's River Falls - you actually got to climb the water fall with the assitance of a guide. This day was actually more memorable as we climbed the falls in the pouring rain!! I, for one will not forget this day for a long time to come.

During our last dinner, in the Mediterranean restaurant, I toasted the one person who wasn't expecting a toast: Rick. We were quickly approaching twenty nine years of marriage - that was a milestone definitely not to be forgotten. As we recalled the fun times of the week and the many family gatherings at Happy Hours and dinners, I knew that I had one of the best weeks ever - as I was able to enjoy this holiday with some of the most important people in my life: My family!!