What do those three things have in common? They are what I am filling up on as I anticipate six weeks without my family's favorite things. As I ponder my behavior, I really am kind of disappointed in myself, thinking that I must gorge on a bag of Cheetos all by myself (I am actually partipating in that activity right now!), it's kind of like pigging out the night before you start a diet. Almost every night this week my plan for dinner has been "So, what fast food do you want tonight?" The routine has pretty much been Taco Bell, In & Out, back to Taco Bell, then In & Out...you get the picture.
Progress is being made on the plans for our adventure. I took care of some paperwork, put another load of laundry in, then went to Starbucks with some of my favorite pals, because I have priorities! Today was the dreaded day that three of us visited the travel nurse to make sure that we are current on all our shots. I've been to Africa, not all of my children have, so I logically am thinking that they will have to get more shots. We go in, the nurse goes through our files, and comes back with the results. Bransen 5, Westin 6, and Mom a whopping EIGHT shots...hello? What is wrong with that picture? My kids were laughing their heads off at me, "Mom has to get the most..." So I bravely stick my arms out for the nurse, to set the tone for my children, and after four in one arm, and a big stinking ouch typhoid shot in my second arm, I was pretty much wanting to start whining like a big baby and wishing we could stop at six...I didn't, but I sure wanted to. So we are now thoroughly immunized, from everything, seriously.
Then the nurse gave me a great big packet of information for our travels, you know, the dangers we face and precautions we should take. Well, in each country, there are big warnings on every region we are headed to. As I sat in the waiting room for the required 30 minutes post-immunization (to make sure we don't keel over with a reaction, thank you very much), I do the logical thing and pick up the phone and call Tim to discuss the warnings I am currently reading about. This is how the conversation went: "Tim, I'm reading the travel advisory on Uganda that the nurse gave m..." Tim interrupts me "Cheri, put the paper down and quit reading." "Okay, but T..." "Cheri, I'm serious, just put the paper down and quit reading." "Well ya but.." "Cheri, trust me, put the paper down and quit reading, don't worry about it." Hmmmm....I'm not sure that put a lot of confidence into me, however, I am confident we are to go, and I'm confident in Who is going before us, so I am choosing to relax and rest in that knowledge and assurance.
One of my family's favorite quotes, and it is written on our quote board in the kitchen of our house, goes something like this: (best read with a Scottish accent, think Mel Gibson in Braveheart!) "Every man dies...not every man really lives." We embrace that as a family, and I tell my children all the time, to be participants in life, not just observers. I am aware as I prepare for this trip, that sometimes being a participant hurts a bit, and is a little scary, but I'm taking my own advice. More later.
Ciao,
Cheri
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2 comments:
Today is the BIG Day!
What an incredible experience you are all about to have. Tell Branson that Hayden wants a complete report of his findings in the Pride Lands and to say Hi to Timon, Pumbaa, Simba, & Kiara. We will be reading your Blogs in our very own "African Themed Room". How cool is that. It will almost be like being there with you all. OK...maybe that was stretching it a bit.
Take care and God-Bless to the Reynolds Tribe.
Martin, Jane & Hayden
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