At the end of June this year, the Perry's, my in-laws, went on a weekend getaway. Juli, Ashley's mom, has survived breast cancer, and found out shortly before the getaway, that she's surviving again. Always a giver, Juli refused to cancel the plans. She and her 4 daughters would raise over $2000 each for cancer research and local breast cancer programs, walk a grueling 26 miles at about 9000 feet in altitude on blisters and sore feet, and show the family just how tough they all are.
Meanwhile, the men in the family, accustomed to receiving all this love and kindness, were honored to play supportive roles: changing diapers, entertaining toddlers, supplying Diet Cokes to our trailblazers, and walking portions of the path at different intervals. It was one of the most gratifying weekends I've ever lived, and all I did was take a few pictures, shed a few tears, sweat, and bask in the love of a forever family.
Uniting in a cause greater than any of us, Juli brought the family together that weekend to serve each other and our community and taught us by her example too many lessons to be written on a blog. Especially with the news of her cancer coming back, we could have backed out and been pampered at a mountain resort for a weekend instead of bleeding and crying and walking for hours.
So if you're reading this, and you're thinking about a worthwhile vacation for your family that will bring you all closer, don't focus on your family and force proximity. Turn the family focus to serving a cause bigger than any of you and really rally around that. Mix in a little suffering and tears, and the blessings of the experience will give you all something to believe in.
You can comment on my experience, but I'd much rather hear about yours.
