There was a time when family vacations were just the four of us.
Now there are seven + the puppy, in our tribe.
Though I’ve heard of the perils of spending a week together, we have somehow managed to love our way around any emotional landmines.
We explored the shores and built birthday cakes made of sand and seashells.
We anchored in the crystal water of Cape Lookout, floating on tethered tubes, soaking up the hot sun and cold beverages.
We were enchanted by the other-worldly beauty of the wild horses of Shackleford Banks.
We showered the salt off of us, cooked on the grill, drink wine, and laughed till we cried.
At KBs bedtime she insisted that everyone get up and dance to Frozen’s Let it Go.
Grammy and Auntie twirled her, and mommy and daddy waltzed beside them.
I tried to capture the moment on my camera but she looked over at me and shouted “put the phone down gandaddy and DANCE!
Soon we’ll be packing up and heading home in separate cars, traveling back to separate work days and dinner tables.
But the sights and sounds of this week are etched and treasured in the archive of my soul forever.
Tomorrow I won’t hear the sound of waves crashing in the surf or feel the sea breeze laced with salt blowing through my hair,
but I can always go back to that moment when a three year old gave me words to live by – put the phone down and dance…
phillipamory 