Yesterdays post answered the question of where I have been. Today I want to answer in part the question, what did I do? I mostly did what I had planned to do to get through… read, sit by the pool, walk on the beach, enjoy the spa, eat a lot of delicious food, hang out with good friends that understood when I needed to walk away or spend time in my room.
On our last afternoon in Cancun this past week, Al and I and a few of the others in our group took a walk on the beach. We watched the parasail go up from a dock and as I watched the chute soar higher and higher I whispered…
I would do that.
Mu husband and my son Justin had parasailed on a trip to Jamaica many years ago. Al did not enjoy it so much, but Justin, always ready for an adventure loved it. Now I decided I was going to do this for him.
I went up with another girl in our group, Julie. She was nervous and went back and forth on if she should go or if she shouldn’t. I said to her, “Julie, when we go home and people ask us what we did in Cancun, what are we going to say? That we laid by the pool? We went to the spa? We played it safe the whole time? This. This is your Cancun story.”
And…
I guess it is mine as well.
My word for the year is COURAGE and I chose that word because I knew that living in a world without Justin was going to take all the courage I had. Every day it takes everything to not just throw my hands up and say this is crap and just stop it all.
BUT in this story… I am on a beach in Cancun about to parasail. About to give courage a run for its money and show it what I am made of.
We had a good time. I refused to be afraid and I now have this story to tell. This is my Saturday snapshot. More Cancun pictures to come.
Book Journey 
Nicely done. I can’t imagine how hard it is for you. I’m sorry that you have to go through this nightmare.
Every day is another challenge. I knew it would be hard… I had no idea.
Well, that definitely took courage. Umm….sorry but not for me. I can barely go up in an elevator with glass walls. However, that is a tangible symbol of your 2016 word – courage. Good for you. You’ll make this year one to remember.
Thanks Kay
This is an amazing column. Absolutely loved it and am glad you found the COURAGE to do it
Thank you Diana
I am SO impressed, Sheila, with ALL the ways you have shown courage in the past year. Thank you for sharing it all in such inspiring ways.
Thanks Karen. Most days it doesn’t feel like courage.
Whenever I read about people who are considered brave or courageous, it seems as though they say something similar. Perhaps that’s it’s definition. That to act courageously, you must feel afraid? Or something like that?
Definition….
Strength in the face of pain and grief
the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.
moral strength to venture, persevere
I don’t know about the “without fear” part. I think it should be “in spite of fear “
I like that better as well.
Parasailing is something I can watch with courage…LOL. It looks like you had fun…good for you!
It was a good way to kick off the year.
Well done!! I am in awe of your strength and hope that each day your sorrow lessens. Love your blog.
Thank you Jennifer… this blog sure has morphed over the years. Totally differnt from where it started
Well good for you that definitely showed courage . Have a great courageous year!!
Thanks Jackie. That is what I am hoping to do.
That exemplifies your word, Sheila. Way to go!
Hey there. Didn’t get a chance to respond to your trip post, but you and Al looked so ….good in that picture. A day at a time hun….just breathe
What an exhilarating thing to do, of my.
I like all your snapshots, but I love the message behind the story of them. I went back and read your word of the year story and all that it means to you. Now I understand how much this experience meant/means to you. Parasailing (dangling up in the air, over a deep ocean, being blown about by the wind, and so on) is to me – the person who gets vertigo climbing a ladder – way past the definition of courage. If you can parasail, God alone knows where else you can go and do. Courage, indeed!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are VERY COURAGEOUS, Sheila! Awesome start to the New Year. 🙂
Sounds like you guys had the best time! Well done for parasailing – you’re so brave!! 💖
Woo hoo! What a fabulous fun time!
Woohoo! I think Justin would be very proud of you!
So glad you put your courage on and did this. When we were in Cancun in 2007, I did not, I was afraid. Now, looking back, I wish, wish, wish, that I had faced my fear and made it happen.
Yes, that took more courage than I have but, you are probably the bravest person I know.
Wonderful Cancun story! It all looks beautiful and you are definitely brave!
Wow, and you are both smiling at the end.
Oh how wonderful! i would love to try parasailing sometime!
When it comes to something like parasailing (or anything of the like), you definitely have more courage than I do! 🙂 Yay for you and Julie!