Blog Archives
Strength in the Unknown
Christmas and New Years in Ohio is a bit unusual…for me, anyways.
For around 20 years, my family would travel abroad and vacation for about 2 weeks in incredible destinations overseas. The locations were breathtakingly wonderful and unforgettable. The memories I have from these trips made an impression on me that have been defining, to say the least. However (as explained in a previous blog post), marriages and children halted the “Lentz 5” adventures and instead created new family vacation traditions. Still, there is a one spot that will always generate a unique and special remembrance: Thailand.
Back in 2004, a tsunami devastated Thailand, as well as surrounding areas bordered by the Indian Ocean. It was a natural disaster of epic proportions. Hell on Earth. Yet, people (tourists and locals alike) rallied together to survive, for themselves and complete strangers. These powerfully amazing acts of kindness and heroism have resonated with me because that tsunami very easily could have hit a resort like the ones we’ve stayed at in areas practically identical to the one featured in the 2013 movie, The Impossible. This film is all too real when it comes to the beautiful beaches and land of Thailand and generosity of the Thai people and fellow vacationers. I recommend people see it, but there are some difficult scenes to watch, just as an FYI. And as actress Naomi Watts has said, the events in the movie are stunningly accurate. This is because the family at the center of the film really experienced what is shown in the movie.
This time of year reminds me of my epic family trips (like Thailand), the Christmas spirit and the hope and magnanimity from people all around the world in anticipation for the new year. The Impossible, despite its devastatingly raw realities, needed to be made. And, thankfully, it was.
Don’t simply think of the impossible, but find a way to be the impossible to yourself and others.
‘Twas the Dance Before Christmas…
For close to 20 years, my family’s tradition was to travel somewhere new and exciting/exotic for Christmas. For me, this traveling began with a hop over to Australia with a spectacular stop in Hawaii when I was just five years old (crikey!). Despite the fact this specific trip was taken during the waning weeks of summer, this type of traveling was the template for all future Christmas adventures. Spinning a globe and stopping it with a finger to reveal our next destination was not that far off for my parents. While the planning was a tad bit more formal than that, the spirit wasn’t. The mantra in my household regarding traveling was, “why not!?” As in, “why not take a trip around the world in a couple weeks?”
True story.
In total, I’ve been very blessed to have traveled to 39 countries, all 7 continents and at least 30 states. And one of the best memories from these trips was the freedom to act however I wanted. By this I mean to let loose and not worry about what anyone else thought. I could reinvent myself in a sublime setting with fun people and experiences all around me. When was I going to see these people again? Literally, never. From the hotel staffs to our fellow guests, they all felt and acted the same way.
It was a beautiful thing.
Speaking of getting into the spirit of the holidays, the following video clip from Adam Sandler’s movie, Blended so wonderfully portrays that amazing dynamic of traveling to far off places: happily dancing without a care in the world.
Whether it was attending an awe-inspiring church service in a European capital or relaxing on a beach in Bali, Christmas Eve has always been a time for reflection and celebration. Even though these family trips have halted (marriages and little children), the memories will endure forever. It’s really special to recall all these family trips this time of year as one collective memory reel.
In other words, one blended reminiscence of the magic of family vacations at Christmas.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 