Our week on the Cruise with the family

Personalize a slideshow design

We just got home from a week long cruise with Steve's siblings and their husbands. We left for New York City on September 11. We got to NYC on the 12th. We met the family and went to the send off party. As we left New York harbor...the fog was thick and wrapped around the city. The band was playing and there was a feeling of anticipation as we left. While we were leaving the city, I struck up a conversation with a New Yorker. He pointed out Ellis Island and some of the other landmarks...including the vacant spot in the city scape where the twin towers stood. As we passed by the Statue of Liberty, the band began to play and sing...

I am proud to be an American...

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘ Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

A moving tribute to the faith that needs to bathe this land at this time. After traveling all night, we were in our rooms and we even beat our cabin steward, Randy, to bed. He didn't have time to turn down our beds...8:30 we were all in bed...and woke up the next day around 11:00. But we were able to eat 3 times that day...don't worry.

The first day we spent on the water. We explored the boat and enjoyed each other. I think it had been over a years since we had gotten together with the whole family. It was good spending time with them.

Our ports of call were Halifax and St. Johns Bay in Canada, Bar Harbor, Boston, and Newport in the states. We took tours in all of the cities but Newport. We learned and saw so many things. History was evident in the buildings and of course the stories that were told. Although we may have forgotten much of the details, there are some things that remain.

Each meal, we bowed our heads and thanked God for family and food.

We were able to talk with family and spend time with them. We laughed at what had happened in the past and laughed at what was happening in the present. I sat back and reflected the first time that these family members entered my life. I met most of them on the Tuesday before we were married. I have come to love each of them. While we were on the boat, we celebrated Merl's 81st birthday, Merl is married to Paula, Steve's oldest sister. I looked and realized what a blessing it is that we get together as frequently as we do...and that is thanks to Gus, Margo's husband who encouraged her to rally the troops and keep in touch. I looked at Carol and Allan and was so excited that since we have moved to Washington, they have become friends who happen to be relatives. We traveled to the airport and spent the day with John and Leslie and enjoyed some one on one time with them...for part of it...John and I rested our eyes....

I thank God for the people that He places in our lives. What a joy to be able to spend time with family, enjoying the time. I know that not every family enjoys being with their families but God has given us families that we love. I praise Him for the family that He has given us. What a joy to share the foundation of Christ.