After a hectic year in which cancer, misfortune, and illness infected our lives, my family found it a relief to finally be able to go on a vacation. It had been over a year since we had been out of state – and with good reason too: my mother had been fighting off an aggressive form of lymphoma. A get-away was much needed, and we wanted little more than to return to Myrtle Beach, a favorite vacation spot of my family since before I was born.
The car trip was long, but not tiresome. My brother and I, who have an exact age difference of two years, did not argue once. For once in my father's life, he did not opt to take a short cut that would leave us driving in endless circles for hours.
At long last we arrived at the Wyndham Vacation Resort: Westwinds, North Myrtle Beach. The elevator talked and the employees were friendly. The view from our condo was breathtaking. My brother and I rushed down to sink our feet in the sand upon glimpsing the splendor of the ocean we'd missed so much. . ......
The majority of the vacation was spent lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun, and catching waves. We took walks as a family during the evenings – the tranquil kind of walks where little needs to be said. While on these walks we took notice how our spot on the beach seemed to be less crowded than the rest, which was quite nice.
We did not resign ourselves to be completely sedentary, however. We went shopping at Barefoot Landing – a unique cluster of shops that no one who visits Myrtle Beach should overlook. Whether you're looking for Christmas decorations, funny signs, kites, high end clothing or even food, Barefoot Landing will not disappoint. I was content to part with my money there, although I wish I'd saved a little for the knights-on-horses attraction, Medieval Times. I have to admit it was the highlight of the vacation. What's better than watching men joust while eating with your hands? Little else, I can assure you, unless one of the Knights throws you a flower of course. That always makes things better!
This vacation is the most memorable in my lifetime. Not because I have short term memory, but because of the family time that was uninterrupted by the usual bickering. There was a sense of gratefulness in every gesture – grateful that my mother was there to share everything with us. My brother freely spent his money on us, my dad was persuaded to go a little over budget. There was little fuss – just relaxation.
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