Wow! That was the word of the weekend we just spent in Dubrovnik, Croatia -- one of the most beautiful places that I've ever been in the world. Dubrovnik is an amazing walled city located on the southern-most tip of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. We flew into Tivat, Montenegro, and drove up the coast about 2 hours to Dubrovnik, where we spent the weekend with my parents and probably tens of thousands of other tourists who also were eager to see this very special place. Highlights from the weekend were, of course, the amazing views, the ice cream (to die for!!!), the small fried fish we ate on Saturday night (picture fried minnows -- some of us had more appreciation for this delicacy than others!) and the six-hour boat tour of the Elaphite Islands (complete with fried fish -- big fish this time -- and all of the red and white wine that one could drink) that we took on Sunday.
The most notable thing about the weekend, though, was that it was the first ti
me our family had taken a vacation without Graham. Suffice it to say that Wes and Virginia were none too happy that we had decided to leave him at home with Jamie, his therapist, but we thought that because we were turning right around after this trip and going to Italy for 10 days, we might be pushing our luck by trying to take him on two big back-to-back trips.
me our family had taken a vacation without Graham. Suffice it to say that Wes and Virginia were none too happy that we had decided to leave him at home with Jamie, his therapist, but we thought that because we were turning right around after this trip and going to Italy for 10 days, we might be pushing our luck by trying to take him on two big back-to-back trips. I must say that I struggled with the decision of whether to leave him at home or not, but in the end, it really did allow us to do some things that we might not otherwise have been able to do. And, it turned out, the apartment we rented was the most Graham-unfriendly place we've ever stayed (tons of steps, big open windows far off the ground without bars or screens, etc.). It would have been a disaster waiting to happen had Graham been with us.
As much as
we all missed Graham, Eli and I realized that we were able relax a little bit, and more importantly, that we were able to give Wes and Virginia more attention than we could have if we had been focused on Graham. Truth be told, the experience really highlighted how impacted our lives are by having a child with a disability, and how "not normal" our lives really are -- for better or for worse. Of course, as all of you who know us know, we believe that Graham has blessed our lives in innumerable and profound ways, but the respite weekend was a pretty special gift.
we all missed Graham, Eli and I realized that we were able relax a little bit, and more importantly, that we were able to give Wes and Virginia more attention than we could have if we had been focused on Graham. Truth be told, the experience really highlighted how impacted our lives are by having a child with a disability, and how "not normal" our lives really are -- for better or for worse. Of course, as all of you who know us know, we believe that Graham has blessed our lives in innumerable and profound ways, but the respite weekend was a pretty special gift.So, off to Italy tomorrow at 7 a.m. (this time with Graham and Jamie in tow). Two days in Florence, and then a week in Tuscany. Life is good!!
Best to all in Nashville and beyond.
Erin
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