What Do I Tell My Son, Part 2

My son is getting married in two months, and .

Many people have reached out directly, thank you, and shared things like:

• “You know everyone is crying now that you wrote that lovely story to your son, right?”
• “…parenting gets better once you let go & let all your teachings shine through.”
• “my job as a parent NEVER ends”
• “Just read your article and thought it was GREAT! There are plenty more tips I could add but there is not enough time in the day!!!”
• “….one of ur best ones. Made me cry.”

They say tears are a window to the soul, and I’m gratified I’m not the only knucklehead with this struggle. And I am sorry I made anyone cry during the

As I continue to ponder this question, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about his life, and things we did together. 

So recently I called my son and daughter and asked what their number one, most fabulous thing to do on vacation destination is.

For vacations, we were fortunate to spend time camping or renting a house in New Hampshire, Maine, and the Cape. 

There was the year the kids and I went to Cedar Point, an Ohio place my parents took my sister and me to every summer. Through college, my summer jobs were at Cedar Point, the first two years in food service and the second two as their “3 until the work is complete” Computer Operator. We drove there via Niagara Falls.  What do they remember from that trip? My son got poison ivy, we listened to Shania Twain in the car, and the Holiday Inn (Canada) pool. 

We lived in Florida for a while, and my wife’s brother worked for Disney. Getting into Disney was a regular occurrence. Certainly Disney would be high on their list.

There was the year did the Boston-Bermuda cruise. Cruising is not my thing, and the Bermuda beaches are beautiful. Karaoke in the teen lounge was the big memory.

We had some wonderful friends provide an incredible all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii so we could be a part of their commitment ceremony. These are the kind of people planning every detail to perfection…what a great time.

And then there was the year we saved every penny and went to Atlantis. The kids enjoyed the overpriced jet skis, and I spent the entire vacation irritated at the overall cost of this all-inclusive, well-advertised, overpriced destination.

So what’s their number one, most fabulous thing to do on vacation destination? One said, “the sandbar,” and the other “boating at the sandbar.”

You won’t find the sandbar in any vacation brochure. It’s located in Lake Winnisquam, visible from the Route 3 bridge. The sand is about 2 feet beneath the water, and while a navigation hazard at night, during the day the place is generally teeming with anchored boats, with people enjoying tossing a Frisbee, playing catch, going for a quiet walk, or simply catching some rays.

We camped in Franklin, and pulled a boat over to Sarge’s in Sanbornton. We’d drop the boat in the water, and were off. Lake Winnisquam borders Meredith, Laconia, Sanbornton, Belmont, and Tilton.

Many a day was spent playing on the sandbar. (You can click here to spy the sandbar in the distance.)

Writing this has been helpful. I now have a plan. Thank you all…..

I’ve rented a condo on Lake Winnisquam for a week (my first week long “vacation” in over five years). Invitations have gone out to the children to come when they can.

And I’ll get the two of them together (and anyone else they bring), I’ll put my arms around both of them, I’ll say, “isn’t it amazing how I always get you together,” and I’ll tell each of them to remember the importance of family in life. “Family” often takes different forms for families…and it’s family just the same.

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