What Every Caregiver Craves: A Sabbatical

 

“Um… hello.”

 “Hi! This is Nancy with Ideal Vacations. Is this Beth?”

 

“Yes,” I said, slightly frustrated. I had just pulled into the Wal-Mart parking lot and was trying to squeeze into a parking place while answering my cell phone. I was aggravated at myself for answering the phone when I clearly needed both hands. I was even more aggravated at this telemarketer for calling me on my cell phone. How’d she get my number?

 

“Beth, someone you know, who chooses to remain anonymous, has arranged for you and your husband to take an all expense-paid, one week cruise to the Bahamas. I was wondering when you and your husband could come by my office and get your vacation booked.”

“What? Is this for real? Are you trying to sell me something?”
 

“I promise I'm not trying to sell you anything. Your trip is completely paid for. All you need to do is come in and decide when you want to take your cruise,” she said.

 
This just doesn’t happen, especially to me! There has to be a catch!

The following day Tom and I walked through the doors of Ideal Vacations. Ideal Vacations was run by Nancy, her husband, Bill, and daughter, Sandy. Their office walls touted dream vacations from Venice, Italy, to Bora Bora.

 

“Have a seat,” Bill said.

 

“You mean someone has paid for me and Tom to go on a cruise? Who would do that?”

 

“I made a promise to keep their name a secret. But yes, someone has paid for your trip. They want you to have a worry-free vacation. This individual says because you spend so much of your time caring for others, it's time you received a little pampering." Nancy explained. 

 

Since Tom had a problem with motion sickness, Nancy and Bill helped us select a cabin located in the middle of the ship. We learned the lower and more central we could be, the less roll and sway we would feel.

 

Before long, we left Ideal Vacations with cruise tickets in hand, a big smile on our faces, and walked next door to Extreme Diving where Tom bought a mask, snorkel, and fins.

 

I could hardly believe it, in four short weeks we’d be taking a dream cruise to the Bahamas. No kids! Just us!

 

It’d been years since just the two of us had been away, and we were long overdue for some quality time together.

 

 Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

 

 

The first week of June, 2011, Tom and I boarded the Fantasy, a Carnival Cruise ship, out of Charleston, South Carolina. The next seven days were spent relaxing, rejuvenating, and reconnecting; and having the time of our lives.

 

At night we got to dress up and attend Broadway style shows.

 

Our Maitre d' was from Romania and had a great sense of humor. He and the wait staff would perform funny songs for us each night.

 

While onboard, we met new friends, like Ann and Vann, from Darlington, South Carolina.

 

In the late evenings, Tom and I would dance the night away. Even if we were the only ones on the dance floor! 







I also got to pretend I was a Vegas dancer while in a Subway restaurant in Freeport.





Zipping down the waterslide on top of the ship was a blast!



My favorite section of the ship was the Serenity Deck. No kids allowed. It was extremely relaxing.

 

After a week at sea, Tom and I returned home rejuvenated, and grateful for such an unbelievable gift.

 
Shortly after our return, I wrote a letter to our anonymous donor, included pictures from our cruise, and thanked them for blessing us in such an incredible way. I gave it to Nancy to mail to this very special individual. 

To this day, we still have no idea who provided that wonderful vacation for us. Tom and I will forever share wonderful memories and photographs, reminding us of God's great goodness.  

Are you a caregiver: a grandparent raising your grandchildren, or perhaps you're someone taking care of an aging parent? Regardless of your situation, it’s important to recharge your batteries. Even if you aren't able to take a cruise to the Bahamas, it's important to make time for yourself. Even Jesus took time to get away from the crowds. (Luke 4:42)

 

Are you making time to recharge your batteries?