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I live in the frozen tundra. For all of you in the warm
climates, let me share what I mean by cold. Today it was
in the low teens with a biting wind that caused you to
curl up in your jacket with the collar pulled so high
up you looked like the headless horseman. With the biting
wind people looked like cockroaches scurrying from their
cars to buildings.
I had to escape but how? I couldn't just hop on a plane
as I have two small children at home and I just didn't
think my husband would appreciate the whimsy of it all.
And I knew I needed a break, a change of pace to liven
my spirit and remind me that spring will come.
So I did the next best thing… I created a memory.
Have you ever created one of those for your family? It
is a way to bring the sunshine and warmth of radiance
right in to your own home.
Yes, that night right after dinner we went to Florida
in our basement. Ambiance was of prime importance. So
our palm tree had my son's stuffed parrot in the tree.
Our blue tablecloth became the ocean filled with crabs,
octopus, fish (you know that obnoxious one on a plaque
that sings "don't worry, be happy"), shells
and even, a mermaid.
Beach activities abounded. My son, Rory, made a paper
surfboard as well as a pair of jet skis. You should have
seen the waves we rode in to the beach on our surfboard.
Just staying on your board while the fish in the water
sang "Don't worry, be happy" became a contest
for us all.
Besides the water activities, sand activities were quite
the hit. Our indoor soccer net
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became our volleyball court. It was some intense games
of two on two. Dad was handicapped since he had to hold
on to Ce'Anna while trying to play volleyball with only
one hand free. I am not sure how Rory scored the game
but somehow he and I won so I didn't complain. In the
background we had our closest to a beach movie-Disney's
Tarzan- playing.
I can't forget the most important ingredient, proper
beachwear.
We dressed in sandals, shorts, swimsuits and sunglasses.
We had a blanket for the beach and a picnic basket.
As the night drew to a close, we turned off the lights,
took out our Lego campfire and roasted mini-marshmallows
around the campfire while we told ghost stories.
The night ended with smiles on all of our faces. I
knew it was a memory night when Rory turned his face
splitting with a big smile and said, "Can we do
this every night, Mama?"
We never did get to Florida that night but it was one
of my best vacation nights I have ever had. It truly
is a memory I will cherish as each day goes by.
You know so often we become frustrated with our circumstances
and what life has dealt us. Yet it is within our power
to change that frustration to inspiration and move to
a whole new level. Whether it is in creating a memory
night with your family, driving a creative idea at your
work or inspiring yourself to achieve a goal, I encourage
you to reach in to your imagination and unleash all
the power it holds. Who knows, you may just surprise
yourself.
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