We had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Florida during Presidents' Break, with some great friends. The blessings of others' - from the doctors to friends to family to acquaintances - all contributed in some way so that this trip could happen.
It was a long journey. We drove over 20 hours each way, through and under mountains (literally), and across snow covered roads and through rain storms, to find some time away. The rental car, that a friend helped us reserve, was quite the fancy car (at least to us it was). Our current vehicles each have almost 100 thousand miles on them, and use a lot of gas. They have the basic set ups inside, but they get us to where we need to go. The car we were able to rent has heated seats and a rear door that opens and closes with the push of a button. It even recirculates air when you use the wipers, so that you don't smell the odor of the wiper wash. (Wait, there's an odor?!?) The seats are leather, there's plenty of storage room, it has all wheel drive, and the ride is smooth. The car has no rust spots, you can hook your phone up to the car, and operate it using the car's dashboard and steering wheel. The car can also tell information like how many gallons of gas are being used and how far you can go based on what is remaining. Pretty fancy, at least in my experiences.
The friends we stayed with rented a house with us. It was even better looking than in the pictures. High ceilings and spacious rooms. Air conditioning and a heated screened-in pool. Private community and a tennis court. Big kitchen with lots of counter space. Big and soft beds, leather couch, and calming decor. Quiet neighbors and community, but with close access to grocery stores, fresh produce, and the Disney Parks.
We walked around feeling like we did not want to ever leave, wanting to pack up our house back home and permanently live in Florida instead. I wasn't sure we could get back into the car to come home and leave this warm comforting place behind, especially because we knew winter was waiting for us back home. Yes, there are bugs year around, and lizards too, here in Florida. Sometimes there are hurricanes and tornadoes. The cost of living may be higher too. But, it is warmer here ... all of the time. Our first day here you could see which people were visitors to Florida. It was only in the low 70s when we first arrived. We wore shorts, flip flops, and t-shirts. The residents wore pants and long sleeves. The rest of the week was in the 80s and it felt so good. Sometimes in the evenings it got into the 40s, but it was way better than -20 degrees with a wind chill, like it could be back at home. Seeing the sunshine just makes you feel good - physically and emotionally. Seeing my family well rested and happy makes me feel wonderful too.
Traveling when battling cancer can be challenging. Our oncologist touched base with us to make sure Wayne was okay. We had to make a plan on what we would do if he needed help while down in Florida, and shared our plan with the doctor. Wayne had to get a blood transfusion before we came, and we had to make sure all prescriptions were filled. The chemotherapy makes my husband's skin extra sensitive, so we had to be careful with the sun (100 SPF!). We had to make sure to drink lots of fluids and stretch while traveling in the car to help prevent blood clots. We had to take it easy when walking around LegoLand, Disney, and the beach. Taking these extra precautions forced us to slow down. However, it was good to slow down, and enjoy our time together.
Traveling when battling cancer can be challenging. Our oncologist touched base with us to make sure Wayne was okay. We had to make a plan on what we would do if he needed help while down in Florida, and shared our plan with the doctor. Wayne had to get a blood transfusion before we came, and we had to make sure all prescriptions were filled. The chemotherapy makes my husband's skin extra sensitive, so we had to be careful with the sun (100 SPF!). We had to make sure to drink lots of fluids and stretch while traveling in the car to help prevent blood clots. We had to take it easy when walking around LegoLand, Disney, and the beach. Taking these extra precautions forced us to slow down. However, it was good to slow down, and enjoy our time together.
While in the moment, living life in Florida seems luxurious, reality is that no matter where we are, we should be living with God, enjoying the abundance of gifts and blessings that we receive every day. Jesus should be reigning in our hearts. This opportunity to travel was wonderful, but moving there would not make cancer go away. It would not help our finances. It would not make me happier, more content, or less anxious in general. It did create new memories. It did give us some respite. It did give us fellowship with some wonderful people. We did laugh, smile, and relax. And, that actually is luxurious to us, because we desperately need that too.
Life can feel like a long journey at times. What will be truly luxurious is when we someday move forever, and live with Jesus in the ultimate paradise. In a place where there is no pain, where you are fully restored and purified, living with the Creator. A place that is comforting because it feels like and is home.
Reflection Verses:
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 NIV
1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” ... 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls.16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. 22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. Revelations 21: 1-4; 10-25 NIV
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