The summer of 2006 was the most memorable one of my life. My mom, younger brother, and I took a weeklong trip down to the quaint little town of Wesley Chapel, Florida, which lies right outside Tampa. I had never been before, but wasn’t remarkably excited when I heard that we were going down there.
A thirteen hour car ride didn’t seem at all entertaining to me.Just before the trip in early May I was discharged from a psychiatric hospital because I had suffered a major depressive episode. After that diagnosis my little world was turned upside down on my head. I had always been the normal and sane one of my friends, the one keeping others stable; but the summer of 2006 found me trying desperately to find an ounce of stability in my distraught mind.We were taking the trip down there to visit my great aunt and her husband, whose kids were grown and had just left the house.
I didn’t know either one of them very well, and I worried that they would judge me because I had just been hospitalized for a mental illness.I couldn’t have been more wrong. That trip was exactly what brought me that ounce of stability that I desperately yearned for that summer. My aunt was so gracious and welcoming, and she encouraged me to talk to her about what had happened to me.
She wasn’t scared of me, and I knew that she genuinely cared and wasn’t judging me, as I felt that so many people did when I had to talk about my problems. I credit her for bringing me closer to God that summer. After our talks I would go and sit in her pool outside and just think.
I would talk to God about my terrible sadness, and how I felt so guilty that it wasn’t going away. I knew that I had a good life compared to so many others, but I couldn’t help wanting to die.Each night after we talked I would go outside; every single night. Florida is always warm, and when I would talk to God I felt like I had a warm blanket over me; the kind that makes you feel less vulnerable, similar to the one I carried around in my youth.
I would gaze up at the stars with my feet in the pool water, and I knew that I was not alone. I felt human again. I felt inherent happiness out there that I didn’t think I had in me anymore.
I just needed someone to care about me enough to coax it out of me.After we left my aunt and I have kept in close touch, and my family went down there for spring break last spring. The summer of 2006 taught me how lives within a family are delicately interwoven; each member has an awesome impact on their relatives. My aunt taught me the value of genuine understanding and God, and I have become a stronger and wiser person for it.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Florida Trip”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
What an amazing blog, I enjoy reading
Bringing to you the most unique holidays covering the most beautiful parts of Himachal. Tirthan: Located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Tirthan Valley derives its name from the Tirthan river, which winds its way through it. Tirthan Valley is one of the less-visited places which makes it more beautiful and peaceful. The natural beauty of the place is alluring enough, it gives you an offbeat destination taste without bringing you to a remote area. Some of the highlights of the trek include beautiful meadows with flowers in full bloom, glaciers feeding into the Tirthan Valley, and the views of the higher snow-clad ranges
here is a very beautiful destination in India where you want to travel with zenithholidays – tour & travel company
Awesome post.
My brother recommended I might like this web site.
He was entirely right. This post actually made my day.
You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for
this info! Thanks!
Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email
Everyone loves it when people come together
and share ideas. Great website, keep it up!
Which superpower would you like to have? (Multiple choice)
Dude, Mike Murray… You are living my dream, man. If I could and had all the money in the world, I would love to just jump in my car and drive drive and drive for just siteseeing… Thank you for your awesome blog posts.
Hello! It looks very interesting, great post, thanks. I used to play paintball a lot myself. But now is the time that you need to spend a lot of time at home. During a pandemic, it is important not to stop and sit still, but to study something, read, write articles or blogs. I recommend a useful resource in my profile with very sensitive material that requires due attention, which will be relevant to you, go ahead and study the pros and cons of gun control, and think for yourself over this issue and the problem in general. Good luck to everyone and health!
I love what you wrote here
Thanks-a-mundo for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
good article! to covid Covid-19, of course, did not affect the travel plan, I buy insurance ttps://ekta.insure/
Thank you! very interesting information. i have a young daughter who really wanted to learn how to ski.
Thanks for finally talking about > Okemo and Stowe and the Vail Effect | My Family Travels < Liked it!
Very informative and interesting article. Well done!!
I am also a travel blogger, my website is http://www.travelsimplygo.com
Hello, I read your blog daily. Your story-telling style is awesome, keep it up!
Enjoyed every bit of your blog article. Much obliged. Yoshiko Wyrick
There is certainly a great deal to learn about this topic. I like all of the points you have made. Lynett Adams Berne
Thank you so much for doing the job here, everyone will certainly like your post.
Best regards,
Lunding Zacho
Great article.
Great info. Cheers.
very useful and interesting information. every year we flew with my family to Norway to ski. but this year we are staying at home.(
thanks for this wonderful post! it is magical)
Wow…really amazing blog.
I really like the way you describe the post..
Nice post.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Loved your blog!
I appreciate you sharing this blog article. Really thank you! Keep writing.
I appreciate you sharing this blog article. Really thank you! Keep writing……………..
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Loved your blog!….
Nice post.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Loved your blog!
First-class article it is really. My father has been searching for this info. Dotty Ernie Coltson
Really nice post!
What a wonderfull blog !
Hey guys!What could be a better way to prepare ourselves for the upcoming travel plans with some music companions for our trips later.Lets boost our trips with some awesome singalong memories together!
Found this awesome playlist to share the love around.Have a great and wonderful day ahead!
I appreciate you sharing this blog article. Really thank you! Keep writing. Jsandye Caesar Joli
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article plus the rest of the site is really good. Gretta Araldo Riana
I have included this write-up to my bookmarks
Terrific article
I agree with you
there are a lot of really good hotels and resorts in Playa del Carmen
Lot of good material here keep up the good work
Lot of good material here keep up the good work
Wow…really amazing blog.
I really like the way you describe the post..
Nice post.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Loved your blog!
world is changing
Thanks for finally writing about > Haunted Houses for Kids And Halloween Weekend Breaks < Liked it!
Great article! We will be linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the great writing.
Have you ever wanted to travel and work abroad?contact us today and we just might make that happen
Whatsapp:+1(845)243-3187
Great read!
My subscribers on Twitter would really like this post. Is it okay if I link it to them?
Hello to everybody,
First of all let me introduce myself: my name is Daniele Baraldi and I work for Top Service, a Company that deals with travels and products conceived for families with kids.
I would like to bring to your attention a new concept of traveling. A virtual interactive tour upon many different locations that children can follow comfortably from home for those families who want to offer their kids the opportunity to explore their origins directly live from their sofa by interacting with a kid-friendly guide.
This new product, built up in a playful and educational way, is a new and entertaining one that can surely raise an interest in your community.
I really hope we will soon get in touch for a trial.
Look forward to hearing from you soon. erbaralds (at) gmail.com
thank you,
Best regards.
Wow…really amazing blog.
I really like the way you describe the post..