Rest, restoration, and adventure

Hello My fellow Americans,

Most interesting times we live in, no? You like me could probably go for less interesting. Walker, on the other hand, was up for interesting and made the “adult” decision as he would call it to book a couple of nights at a resort. But he did check with his Mom and Dad first before buying his room with funds earned by his Tabacco-free Florida ad. He decided to book a single king room for him and his dog, Finn, a couple of weeks ago, a first for him in his adulthood. After a little research he chose the beautiful Gaylord Palms because they allowed therapy dogs. And because he’s a chip off the old block, a few days later he called the Gaylord sharing with them in more detail about his story then asking for a room upgrade Which would help with all his equipment. He was successful getting upgraded to a junior suite which suited him just fine.

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It took a team effort to get Walker ready to leave home for 2 nights as we packed up his dialysis machine, boxes of dialysis liquids, his rolling oxygen machine, his shoulder pack oxygen unit, and his night time bi-pap breathing machine. Add his luggage, some food and water, his doggie supplies and you’ve got a load of gear to move. The staff would unload most of it and set it up in his room but he needed help managing Finn so his little sister, Laura Marley, volunteered to go with him on a Saturday to help with the move-in. Everything went smooth checking in to his room, it was later that Things got a little tense when Walker about choked on their $75 lunch bill after eating by the pool, welcome to adulthood son.

Walker had asked his mom and dad and his auntie Gail to come hang out with him by the pool on Sunday. It was a nice day and we got the chance to swim, enjoy a few tropical cocktails, hot tub a little, and dad got to ride the giant water slide in Walkers honor. Seeing as Walker was a big time roller coaster kid growing up, it looks like He will have to live vicariously through his dad to get his speed thrills until he is able to operate one day without oxygen, lucky me :-). The Orlando Gaylord is a very nice resort and we all enjoyed taking a little time out from the everyday. We left Walker to chill by himself with Finn after having take-out dinner In his suite, he was pretty exhausted. I saw him The next day after lunch when he got home and he was definitely worn out going right to sleep for the rest of the day. He was glad he did it but it was maybe a bit more challenging than he hoped for.

Meanwhile, I had arranged with several of my camping buddies of many years to get away for a camping Trip for the 1st time since the end of 2018, long overdue. My Great friend, Chris, was heading up to NC to see his mom who lives in the mountains outside Linville so he offered to take all our camping gear up with him in his trusty mini trailer, then we would fly up to meet him. So, Mike, Joel, Bill, and I all flew up to NC early on Thursday Oct 1st to meet Chris by 9am then grocery up and head off the grid. We had our 8 man tent set up on a mountain Stream by 330 or so that day Gear ready for serious cooking through the weekend. My brother Bill came along this trip almost opting out till I told him the menu and that was the game changer for him. Chicago dogs and fresh Homemade potato chips the 1st night, Chx fajitas and a chocolate n cherry cobbler made in a Dutch oven the 2nd, shrimp creole cheese grits and garlic bread with a peach cobbler the 3rd night and amazing breakfast each day. We don’t play when it comes to our camping grub 😁.

We were blessed with 4 perfect days of great weather which made for hiking in shorts and tshirts comfortable and sleeping well at night, thanks be to God. I cant tell you how great it was to spend 4 COVID free, political ad free, phone Free days enjoying my good friends and breathing deep some amazing Mother Nature. The trip was even more memorable because it was Chris’s 59th bday on Saturday, and Uncle Billy’s 65th bday on Sunday, so we had plenty to celebrate. Lots of rest, restoration, and adventure. 👍👍

I got back late Sunday night and was wiped out Monday. Watching tv Monday evening with Candy, I saw an extreme nature adventure show where 2 guys would jump off the top of some steep mountain in idontknowwhere and fly sitting in a harness attached to a kite/wing ripping down the mountain just above the ground seemingly about to wreck all the time but somehow cruzing above the rocks and trees beautifully without injury. As if there was a cushion of air along the ground that always kept them aloft no matter the danger. This struck me in comparison to what my life has been like in the last couple of years where my faith in God has been that cushion keeping me aloft and safe even as I see danger, sorrow, and despair ahead. God has kept flying just far enough above the tough stuff to make it through somewhat unscathed much like the pilots. God is our ever present safety net holding our life together through all our experiences both the “good” and The “bad”. 

My vote is that God is as real as the rain and as ever-present as water is in our lives, there everyday. I don’t have to see him in order to know he’s at work, I don’t have to feel him, literally, to see his good works in those around me, and I don’t have to hear him to experience his guidance for my life. Use your faith to cushion your fall through the tough stuff and look up expectantly seeking his hand for a lift up when times are low. Words from a child of God simply seeking to know him more everyday. God bless you all. Dave.