Ladies only boys.
Yep, that means husbands, it's time to shine while the wives and eldest daughter take to the beaches and take a dive.
A trip that has been postponed and rescheduled many a times in attempt to get all the sisters on board; to have our health well enough to withstand travel.
My sister never made it to our much talked about girls trip. The location changed many times over to accommodate her failing health. With plenty of pushing, nudging and talking ourselves into going, we finally took this trip that has been in the works for almost two years.
Mom, my sister-in-law Lindsay, Addison and I flew out last week to Kona, Hawaii, where we remembered, laughed, cried and relished in the presence of each other.
It felt wrong to not have Traci with us; the process of grief that ebbs and flows much like the waves that crashed on the shoreline. A different memory with every wave; the lasting pink in the sunsets that spoke to the legacy left behind.
{ Toting. }
I had the privilege to hear Francis Chan speak at the University of the Nations (YWAM Kona) the night we arrived. My girlfriend, Catherine, picked me up while the other three found dinner on the Kona strip. The anxiousness of doing this trip without my sister slowly eased as the worship began in the open air auditorium filled with all ages. I could sense God calm the longings that torment and tease my heart to hear or touch my sweet sister. This opportunity to be refreshed in worship and learn from Chan, was the perfect way to begin this girls trip.
{ Loved these moments. }
Our first full day kicked off at Lava Java with fresh papaya bowls filled with homemade vanilla yogurt and granola. A fan favorite indeed. And right on cue, were the spinner dolphins that danced and splashed throughout our breakfast meal. With our $4.99 floaties inflated and sunscreen applied, we quickly found our way to the lagoon where the pattern of basking in the sun began.
The rest of our days were spent snorkeling, "toting" (tanning while floating) and eating fish tacos. Addison was a natural snorkeling. We saw such a variety of fish including some with white tipped fins. Yep. Small but yes, they were there too.
{ Ladies meet the Lagoon; you can float and never drift off to China. }
{ Lava Java round two. }
We drove to two other beaches to snorkel and play where turtles met us under water and a couple even took to the sand to warm their shell. Addi and I attempted to parasail, but due to high winds our boat ride was cancelled. It was the only item on the bucket list that we didn't achieve.
One of the highlights for me was watching Addison get a spontaneous ukulele lesson. The joy beaming across her face brought tears to my eyes as everything about her lite up.
The most precious gift of this trip was time. Time spent with my oldest daughter; time spent with family. Time spent remembering and hearing clearly to keep remembering. Time spent sharing meals and talking walks. God knew we needed this time together to prepare our hearts for the holidays; moments to sit and reflect, process and to just be in the presence of each other.
Thank you Mom for making this happen.
Thank you Traci for giving us the pink sunsets.
Mahalo.
{ Turtles sunbathing. }
{ Street fair the afternoon we flew out. }
{ Afternoon walks to mine & Tim's baptismal dunk tank with Catherine. }
{ Local beach Addi & I snorkeled at; gorgeous fish, clear waters & turtles. }
{ Lava Rock walk by the Four Seasons golf course. }
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