Kim:
The rainy season is really here folks! I know I said it was here before but
that was just a little rain.....It started with a Big Bang during my family's
visit over Thanksgiving week with a 4 day storm that locals say was the
fiercest in quite a few years!
To
start at the beginning of our tale, the flight that my mom, aunt Debi and uncle
Jeff arrived on was the inaugural American Airlines flight to Roatan. To
celebrate this there was a buffet at the airport, that we were able to enjoy
while we waited, a cake at the departure in Dallas, and a traditional hosing
down of the plane with fire hoses upon arrival. I was a little concerned at
first when I spotted the fire trucks on the tarmac after their plane landed! So
good to finally have visitors!! We have been on Roatan five months already and
most of our visitors are coming in the last couple of months we are here, so it
felt extra special to have family come to see our world and spend time with
now.
At
the start of the visit, we were able to have a couple of partly sunny days
during which we visited the eastern end of Roatan and hung around our 'hood. It
was during the national elections, so there were no alcohol sales for 2 days
and many things were closed! What a strange start to the visit as everywhere we
went we found ourselves saying things such as, "Wow, this is different
than usual." and "It is never like this!" However, we were able
to do a swim off our dock at Sundancer, host dinner at our cabana, and walk
through West End, a little town near us. 
Then
we moved to West Bay, the quintessential Caribbean beach area where we had
rented a house right on the beach for the remaining four nights. The day we
arrived was classically sunny, the water turquoise and clear, and the area
buzzing with cruise ship passengers. We knew rain was coming (just not how
much!), so we dropped our bags in the house and headed to the ocean! My
adventurous and incredible mother tried snorkeling for the first time EVER and
saw fish underwater. Lucia was a patient and helpful teacher. The reef almost
comes right to the shore at the end of the bay. We had plans to advance her
snorkeling skills slowly as the week progressed. 
The rest of us had a lovely snorkel where we
spotted an eagle ray, a lobster, and many colorful reef fish. Off to the pool
for a drink and swim, a walk down the quieting beach, as the cruise passengers returned to the ship, and as the sun dipped into the water so did we. 
Dinner
was a table on the beach with delicious food and the wonderful night air all
around.
The
next morning we awoke to a crashing and tumultuous sea with waves breaking on
the shore. I stood at the window for a full five minutes repeating
"wow" over and over! I had never seen anything but Caribbean blue in
this bay. For the next four days we had a front row seat to the storm as it
continued to rage and blow the palm trees first this way and then that. That
day we ventured out wearing our bathing suits, but got so pelted by rain and
buffeted by the wind we soon retreated! It felt like a hurricane!
By mid day
the power was out and it stayed out until the next morning, Thanksgiving day.
We were woefully prepared with a few candles, a lantern that stopped working
and a couple of intermittent flashlights. Somehow dinner was made and games
were played by candlelight. It felt cozy and dry in our beautiful house
surrounded by family!
We
had Lucia's teacher and finance, Laura and Andy, over for games and a
Thanksgiving dinner of mashed potatoes, local sweet potatoes, salad, and fish.
Delish! Fun too. Hide and seek and spoons were two favorite games as the storm
continued outside! 
The
next two days were filled with ventures out into the tempest in our stylish
trash bag and duck tape rain gear (see photos to truly appreciate!),
early christmas, making rubber band bracelets and games! It was a close and fun
family time and although we wish we could have enjoyed the sparkling crystal Caribbean
one more day, it was not to be!
Debi, Jeff, Dan and I did go diving on the last
morning on the other side of the island. All the diving companies were
shuttling people to do dives from Flowers Bay since the other side was too
stormy. What an adventure! Once below the surface of water it was incredible
and fairly calm, even though there were swells and rain above, the coral, sponges
and moray eel we saw made it worth it. We never would have gone diving on a day
like that it had not been for family!
My aunt and uncle are so adventurous!
The
last morning I awoke early and sat with my mug of tea on the front porch and
marveled at the power of the storm after so many days. Lucia soon joined me and
noticed that the dock in front us seemed to be at angle. With minutes, the dock
started breaking apart and within hours two huge sections of the dock had
broken off and washed ashore! It was quite a show to usher us out. 
From our dry
little house, we also watched as the house next to us became flooded and the
sand street we were to leave on in a few hours became submerged in more than a
foot of water! A very dramatic farewell! The quiet family time we shared that
week was really appreciated by us all. It is a time we will not soon forget for
so many reasons! My heart images are filled with laughter and silliness from
our little yellow house by the sea. 
Since
that time, I have been filled with a longing and missing of my friends, family,
community, and mostly my mother that was lurking before but now it has assumed
residence in my heart. I am still
enjoying my ocean swims, the island pace, and my SLP work, but something is
missing. As I grow older, my desire and longing to spend time with my mom has
increased and this time it felt like a heavy blanket that had been draped over
me for the a week following her departure. I would be moved to tears whenever
anyone simply asked about her and the visit. The parent-child relationship is
so fluid and ever changing and unlike any other relationship we experience. I
am filled with gratitude for it.
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| Crazy last dinner! Too many captive days!! |
