Day at Sea

Yesterday morning we woke up excited about our Jamaican adventure. We planned a day playing on the beach, snorkeling in the pristine waters and kayaking along the shore. Peeking outside, I saw only bright blue skies and fluffy clouds. I venture to say that I was probably as excited as Robby about visiting Jamaica!

We slipped into our swimsuits, slathered on sunscreen and packed our beach excursion bag. As we were heading out the cabin, Scott noticed a sheet of paper that had been slipped under our door. I've come to realize that sheets of paper slipped under doors never holds good news.

Our trip to Jamaica was canceled. Apparently a passenger suffered a medical emergency on Wednesday night, necessitating a helicopter rescue. The Captain had no choice but to move our boat into the correct position for the Coast Guard to conduct the rescue. Unfortunately for the remaining passengers, he had to turn the boat around and cruise in the opposite direction of Jamaica.

I have no doubt that the Captain and his staff thoroughly reviewed all of their options before canceling the excursion. Certainly the cruise line does not benefit financially when passengers are not able to disembark and take advantage of the wonderful, albeit pricey, island trips. In lieu of visiting Jamaica, he set sail for Fort Lauderdale, moving at a minimal speed.

Although we were disappointed, I was utterly appalled when I witnessed the outbursts of my fellow passengers. The lobby was crammed with irate, and obviously irrational, individuals who were ranting about a ruined vacation. The decision to reroute was literally one of life or death and, instead of lauding the crew for saving a life, they were berated for keeping bargain hunters from bartering for low quality jewelry on the island. It's pathetic that these individuals could not see beyond their immediate desires and appreciate that a life was in jeopardy.

Instead of going to Jamaica, we spent the day lounging by the pool and hanging out as a family. The absence of sand and surf did not hamper our enjoying the afternoon. We had a wonderful time just being together.

In the evening I took Robby to play Bingo and he won $500 on the first card! He was so proud redeeming his winning numbers and informed everybody that he was going to save the money for college. He was smiling ear-to-ear when we redeemed his winnings.

On the spur of the moment, I decided to book a massage to celebrate Robby's windfall. Scott was mingling with some fellow cruisers in the lounge and Robby happily went to the disco dance party at the Kids Club. I spent the next hour enjoying a well-deserved, and much needed massage. It felt wonderful!

I left the spa feeling completely relaxed for the first time in months. I went directly to my cabin, where I continued the pampering with a long, hot shower. (I loved the massage, but I hated feeling like I'm a greased pig at the county fair!) Once I was showered, I called room service and treated myself to a cupcake and a Bahama Mama punch.

Sitting on the balcony, enjoying my cupcake and punch, I relished hearing nothing but the ocean waves lapping the side of the boat. It was so wonderfully tranquil, just staring up at the stars and letting my imagination wander. In that moment, life was perfect.

Shoot! All of a sudden I had a revelation that brought me instantly back to reality. My room was too quiet. I remembered that I have a kid, and I forgot to pick him up at Kids Club.

I chugged my punch and crammed the cupcake into my mouth (I only ordered one) as I frantically dressed. I was kicking myself as I was schlepping to the other side of the ship to pick him up. How could I forget that I had a child? What kind of Mom forgets that they have a child? How could I spend $70 of his Bingo money on eye serum when a $4 bottle of Tylenol PM would be just as beneficial to reducing my under eye circles?

Thankfully Robby did not notice that I was extremely late picking him up. When I arrived he had just been named “King of the Dance Floor.” He was delighted, albeit exhausted, by the time we gathered his belongings and returned to the cabin. So much for my new found serenity, but at least he had the opportunity to hone his dancing skills!

Haiti

We had an absolutely wonderful day yesterday, exploring Haiti and soaking up the warm sun. It was surreal walking along the beach in shorts in December!  It was impossible to remain sullen and frustrated by the pain I'm experiencing when surrounded by the white sands and gentle waves.

To quote Robby's synopsis of the day, it was "totally freaking epic." He thoroughly enjoyed playing in the waves with his daddy, looking for seashells and building a castle and cupcake factory made out of sand. I am not sure where he inherited his sand castle building abilities, but his structures have surpassed anything I could create!

After lounging and playing in the surf, we boarded a small boat to be taken to another part of the island. There, the two boys continued to play in the ocean while we awaited our turn to tour the village. Since Robby is missing a week of school, I have insisted that we do an educational excursion at each location. Yesterday we toured a Haitian fishing village, where Robby was taught how to tie a fishing net, how to throw the net for fish and how to make homemade peanut butter. Obviously he was more impressed by the fishing aspects than the nut crushing, but he was well behaved throughout the tour.

This morning we are heading to Jamaica, where we will spend another day on the beach. I'll write more details, and hopefully post pictures, when I have a more reliable internet connection. Internet is 60 cents a minutes, so I suspect photos will have to wait until I'm stateside! 

Our Oceanic Adventure

Yesterday was overcast, windy day at sea. We attempted to go to the pool, only to have my crutches become airborne when I laid them down. After a few minutes we all agreed to put swimming and laying in the sunshine on hold until we had warmer temperature and the sun.

Robby spent the majority of his time in the Kid Club. It felt unnatural signing him into the play area and leaving him behind. Pang of guilt haunted me, flirting with feelings of inadequacy because I wasn't spending every waking moment on the cruise with him. I went to pick him up early this morning only to be shooed away. He was having fun and didn't want to come with me. I need to accept that he no longer needs me for entertainment.

With Robby busy playing with his new friends, Scott and I spent the afternoon exploring the ship, eating and relaxing. Well, in all honesty Scooter took a nap and I spent a few hours working on my computer while sitting on the balcony. Sitting in a lounge chair, looking over the ocean while hearing the breaking waves, I think I've discovered my ideal writing conditions. If I ever develop a severe case of writer's block, perhaps I'll just go on a cruise!

Today we are visiting Haiti, where we have arranged to visit a fishing village. (I felt compelled to arrange excursions that are quasi-educational, especially since Robby I missing a week's worth of school.) My little fisherman can hardly wait to meet the villagers and learn how to tie a fishing net.

I continue to struggle with both my mobility and pain, but I'm trying to make the most of an unfortunate situation. Although most of the passengers lamented the poor weather yesterday, I think that the day “off” was both needed and beneficial. I feel rested, and stronger this morning. I have a feeling I'm going to need all my strength to tackle our Haitian adventure!

Bon Voyage!

Greetings from the high seas! Yesterday we checked into our cabin (with a fabulous balcony), hit the first of what will sure to be many buffet meals, and prepared to set sail. We are now cruising, with our first destination set to be Haiti.

Just when I thought it would never happen, my leg is finally showing signs of improvement. Now I can wear my prosthesis for short periods of time, and can even put some weight through the socket. I have to use crutches and I move slowly and require frequent breaks, but I am definitely getting better!

Today we will spend the entire day at sea. Robby has already fully immersed himself in the "Kids Club," informing me last night that he had plans to do some science experiments in the morning so he wouldn't be able to play with me in the pool until after lunch. I guess that leaves me with a few hours to myself.

Hmmm... perhaps I'll check into the on board spa!

Sand Fun

Greetings from Florida! This morning we will embark on our much anticipated cruise. Although the vacation circumstances are not ideal, this is a working cruise for me and I'm injured, I have no doubt that we're going to have a blast. Work or not, when it is being completed aboard a luxury cruise ship, it is bound to be relaxing!

Robby has been giddy for the past few days. Saturday evening we arrived at our Florida hotel and after a long day of traveling, we were all exhausted. When we checked into the hotel we all immediately crashed for the night. Scott and I knew that the room had an ocean view, but since we checked in close to midnight, there was nothing to see.

Sunday morning I woke up to Robby squealing, "Hallelujah! It's a miracle. Momom, hurry up and look outside. It's a miracle because it is so beautiful." I instantly knew that he had "discovered" our room had a view. He couldn't wait to hit the beach and I knew it was going to be a good, albeit exhausting day.

I find little as frustrating as not being able to do something with my son because of my leg. The pain in my legs has been fluctuating between moderate to fully debilitating. It is omnipresent and exhausting. I didn't want my injury to interfere with Robby's beach adventure, but my first few steps of the morning let me know that I was going to be sidelined for the day.

With a lot of physical support, I managed to hobble down to the beach to take up residence on a lounge chair. Robby was so patient as he obediently waited for me to make my way to the sand. I know that he wanted to run and jump into the surf, but he never complained about my delaying his plans.  With me finally situated, the two boys took off to frolic in the waves, hunted for shells and dug in the sand. I could see their smiles across the beach and I knew that they were having a great time!

I felt torn, heartbroken because I physically couldn't play with him yet thoroughly enjoyed sitting back and watching him play with his Daddy. Had I not been hurt, I have no doubt the roles would have been reversed. Sand and surf is not Scott's forte and I know he would have preferred to observe. This was not an option, and Robby seemed to relish being with his Dad in the ocean.

This morning we board our cruise ship and set sail. I have begrudgingly accepted that my injury will continue to have a profound impact on my life for the next several weeks, possibly months. As much as I hate not being able to fully participate with Robby, I'm glad that he has a Daddy who will pick up the slack!

 Yes-- he wore his boots on the beach. He has water shoes, but insists that he is a "boot man."