It's All Fun & Games Until Someone Gets a Sunburn...

Greetings.

Today was a very interesting day: I spent the day with my father.

 About a year ago we had a falling out, and he revealed some hurtful secrets about my family, and I never thought I would forgive him for it.  After not seeing or speaking for a year I finally agreed to see him.  We met for breakfast at Denny's which was good; conversation felt a bit forced but the tension was minimal.  After that he invited me to go to his beach lot on the lake where the rest of my family was.  It was beautiful day (32c), and I was off work so I agreed to meet him there.

I went home to grab my bathing suit and a towel and  on the drive there I felt anxiety growing in me.  What if things were awkward around everyone else?  What if we all started fighting?  Maybe it was too much too soon...  I set the feelings aside and decided to just go for it- after all, what did I have to lose?

When I arrived I saw about 10 other members of my family and their friends there, once again I felt the anxiety building in me...

Things went surprisingly well.

I went out boating with my dad, step sister, neice, and nephew and the kids went tubing. I was somehow convinced to go on it (it has been years since I have) and actually had a really great time. Afterwards we all set out towels on the dock and layed in the sunshine. We had lunch, swan, chatted, and I napped. After spending a full day out there I said my goodbyes, gave hugs, and said that I hoped to see them soon.

I actually meant it.

I think that I have had a change of heart because of the time that I have put in working at the Hospice. You really begin to understand how short life is and how quickly things can change. Sure my 'dad' may never be the man that I want him to be, but I am going to try to accept him for who he is. I think it's possible that we may actually have a healthy relationship one day.

On a not so positive note... I am very sunburned. I put sunscreen on my face every day so my face isn't bad but EVERYTHING else is bright red. I should know better, I am a blonde hair, blue eyed, freckled gal- I NEED TO WEAR SUNSCREEN. Sigh.

xx

My sister and nephew

Me, reliving my childhood on the tube

Enjoying the hot, hot heat

Mama duck and her babies