Day 3 - Somewhere you have been.
This question was a toughy for me.
I have had the wonderful opportunity of traveling to some pretty neat places.
Siesta Key, Cozumel, Key West, Boston, Poland, Brazil - just to name a few.
Each one of these places is filled with times and tales that I could go on and on about.
While trying to decide the best choice, my heart kept returning to the same place.
Several years ago, in the Summer of 2002 to be exact, I had the awesome opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic for a "mission" trip.
Now, this wasn't a standard mission trip. We, myself and a slew of members of my church, traveled here to help host a conference for all the missionaries in the area. It was their annual meeting and time of refreshment.
Their time of refreshment and our place of ministry, just happened to be here:
Rough job. I know.
It was beautiful. Complete with 4 pools, three dining areas, two restaurants, a miniature golf course, concerts, and an all-you-can-eat/open-24-hours/on-the-beach pizza shack.
I had so much fun on this trip. And while the food, entertainment, beach, and spending time with a bunch of missionary kids was totally awesome, I think I have fond memories of this trip for different reasons.
You see, I got to enjoy all these great things with my big brother.
My brother, Neal, and I grew up the best of friends.
Don't get me wrong. We had our moments. Like the time he jumped on my back and busted my chin open. Or when he refused to go hang out with me and my Florida friends, thus shortening my curfew by TWO HOURS! Or the time he got in the back seat of my car after a cheerleading game and I just about stabbed him with my car keys.
But we also had a lot of great memories. We collected Batman Forever paraphernalia, went to Britney Spear's concerts, and listened to Wilson Phillips. We signed our siblings birth certificates, aced Native American Culture, and shopped at Wal-mart in the wee hours of the night. And we went to the Dominican Republic.
While I didn't know it at the time, this trip was kind of a last hoo-rah for my big bro and me. The very next summer, he would marry my totally awesome sister-in-law and his world would be forever changed. He got sucked into the world of jobs, mortgages, and preparing to start a family.
A world that I would soon join only a few years later.
Responsibility changed us both - for the better - but I am so glad we got to have that last fling of craziness and fun. I know they are memories I will always cherish.
Maybe one day Neal and I and our awesome spouses can return.
Without kids.
No comments:
Post a Comment