Jbizek, it entirely depends on YOU and the event in your life and also how important Negril is to you and if its truly in your heart.

Without knowing details, this subject is very near and dear to me. All I can do is paint a quick snapshot of my travels.

Me & Badnaz nearly always book our trips a year in advance, works for us, no surprises to our loved ones here at home and its paid for well in advance of arrival, my,our family know and accept (don't understand) how dear and important our Negril trips are to us. We just got back in April and already have 3 trips for 2013 booked / planned / and hotels /airfare paid for. Like I said works for us and families involved are in the loop.

08 year long trip dates approach, 10 days before departure my dear, dear, missed immensley father has severe medical issue that very quickly involves losing your legs to save your life and upper body. He was such a handsome, big, physically imposing atheletic guy that was all b/s aside tough as f......ng nails, one of the only men in my life I really feared. But SO beloved by everyone on both sides of our family and a ton of friends in the motor cycle community.

2 days before our trip the operation happens the true warrior he was my father explains his fears of losing half his body and is debating/leaning towards saying fu I aint finishing up like this. We (my brothers) talk him into it using every reason we can think of. It was the last resort he had to continue on.

As he came out of surgery, as he awoke, he did not ask for me (the oldest) or my brothers, he asked for Badnaz, my lovely wife and his daughter in law whom he did not always agree with. He put his arm around her minutes after coming out of gas and losing his legs at the hip. He whispered in her ear " am I still sexy?" Badnaz burst out laughing and crying and my father held her tight and said you and Michael go on your trip and have the time of your lives, I'll be hear waiting for the stories and pictures.

We left as scheduled for a 2 week trip the next day. Some of my family understood, many did not and gossip flew.

I spent many a night walking the beach for an hour or so by myself trying to sort out all the "why's", one beach hustler to many regulars is scourge or nuisance, dared to listened my questions. All for the pre agenda price of 1 fricking beer. Don't tell me even the most outwardly hardened don't have a heart or something to offer besides being near forced to sell them selves out for tourist in survival mode. Our nightly walk/talks helped immensely and to this day never brings it up expecting return. Sure he hits me with the same hustle as he does everyone walking by the a/i area of beach, we usually just bump fists have one or two beers share a look/common bond and he goes his way and me mine. You see I really think besides him helping me that I might have helped him also at some level.

Upon our return we had a few up and down weeks with my father, and despite his heroic fight, the infection came back and the only choice was dyalsis 2 to 3 times a week, after the 1st session he looked at me and said don't be mad but I will not live like this. We begged to no avail, the doc came by his house and said w/out cleaning your blood this week I'm serious you won't see Monday. The next 2 days we played rummy, talked about old times, and onSun evening he said my younger brother "I'm tired let me be, I want to dream of all the deer I've hunted". He asked to be alone and was gone that morning when we woke up.

I am so sorry if I hijacked your thread, plz excuse me but I hope I've touched or connected with others whom have life stories that Negril has helped heal. My tears are very heavy right now, but this one is very close to me and I will always listen to someone heavy heart and mind on family issues at trip time.

After my fathers passing I immediately returned to Negril, and once again many understood, the talkers within us did not. This time I returned alone.

My hustler friend saw me the 1st evening on the beach and as I started to speak, he said "I know", "I knew soon as I saw your walk". We just walked that evening, not much was said, really no need to speak, just walked, drank couple beers and little meditation. I came to the conclusion during this walk that given the cards he was dealt my father chose his hand and why shouldn't I endorse his play. Very appreciative of our time, memories, and lessons. But being deadly honest would give my life this second to have just one more goodbye with him. I so miss him.

Off and on over the next 8 or 9 months, I spent nearly 3 months (over several trips) in Negril. I am here to tell you Negril can have and provide much more meaning to one's life other than a vacation. It can be and is therapuetic to many. Only a few will know what I mean by this statement.

I'm going to quit rambling and sincerely hope this outburst was not a thread killer or downer, I only meant to help if anyone has some weight on their shoulders prior to a trip.

Please excuse me for being this personal.

Jamb