One Year Ago
One year ago, I was on the island of Maui with Eric. It was our last big trip together as a couple. I remember the two of us sitting on the plane. It was a long flight and I wasn't sure if Eric was going to make it. The flight took ten hours. It was only suppose to take eight hours to reach the island from Minnesota, but we ended up on a charter flight. By the time we reached the island, Eric was really pale and ready to retire. Luckily, we had Eric's brother and his fiance with us on the trip. Both of them went out of their way to help us with luggage and drove us to our condominium. It was a beautiful place. The condominium was located near a prestigious golf course and had an oceanfront view. You could hear the waves pounding into the shoreline from where we were staying. The ocean was only a few steps away from the condominium's main living space. There was also a gorgeous, hidden beach within walking distance from our backdoor. As difficult as it was to get to Maui, it was clear that we had found paradise. There was no better place we could of visited, so today, I'm missing Maui. I'm missing Eric. I'm thinking about both and hoping that one day, I'll be able to bring Ethan to island of Maui. I want to show him the place where his father and I took our last trip together, even if it takes another ten hours to get there. It's a trip worth sharing..especially with Ethan.
This morning, Ethan snuck into my room and started playing with a box of shells I had laying on my side table. I purchased the shells and box while in Maui. Since having brought them home, I've kept the box of shells near my bed. I've been very protective of them since the trip, so this is Ethan's first time viewing and playing with the box of shells. After opening the box, his curious nature took over. The shells were immediately met by his hands and within a ten second period, the shells were on the ground and all over my bed. Laugh. I could of easily panicked, but I didn't. I grabbed the camera instead and let Ethan play with the little bit of Maui I'd brought home with me. I figured Eric would of loved seeing Ethan play with the little shells. It almost felt like Eric was there...for me, it was a return to that special place. Opening the box of shells was like revisiting the past and seeing Maui all over again, accept this time, it was with Ethan.
On a side note, I've been spending the last couple of days preparing work for a publication (can't mention names, though it's not an American publication). I finished a new layout (see a sneak peek below) and answered lots of questions. I can't wait to see everything when it comes together. I have a little bit more I need to do for that project, but tonight, I'm going to get ready to scrapbook once again and relax a little...Friday nights are for relaxing. At least that's my rule. Laugh.
I'm leaving you with a few photos of Ethan and Grandpa's pond. Do you think the fish are hungry? Ethan seems to think so...
