Vacationing with a Heavy Heart, how to make it work?

[mavmaiden]

Jbizek,

I'm truly sorry to hear what you are going through. In September 2009, I had a once-in-a-lifetime trip planned to go to Europe with a friend for 30 days. In April of that year, my sister died. In August of that year, my other sister had a foot of her colon removed and was still in recovery when I boarded the plane to fly several thousand miles away. I thought the same thing as you...this was a horrific time for a vacation, but it was one that I already had accommodations paid and an airline ticket for. A counselor told me, "you cannot worry about things you cannot change...you're killing YOURSELF with worry." And, she was right. Could I affect my sister's prognosis? No. Could I make things better with my constant worry? No. Did I have the power to heal...not only my sister's health but my own heavy heart from the loss of my other sister? No. I forced myself to live in the moment from the minute my plane touched down and I had a magnificent trip. My sister has had a bought with cancer since then, but she's doing well. And....I remember her words and repeat them to myself on a regular basis. I'm a huge worrier and sometimes you just have to let go and let things be. Actually, pretty much always...

Enjoy every minute of your trip. You need to keep YOU healthy and that means relaxing and letting that blood pressure decrease. Eat, drink and be merry. We only live once and you never, ever know when your time will come. That's my mantra, anyway. Life is good but sometimes it throws you really, really rotten lemons. Throw them away and go for a Red Strip...

Cheers from a fellow Austinite and a first timer to Negril later this year!

By the way, jasperpso, same advice to you!! My sister went through chemo and radiation last year. It was several months of ups and downs. No amount of worry can change that either...