It is a great thrill.
That was the opportunity we had recently when the youngest son and his family flew to Florida for a short vacation and the oldest daughter and her family - who live in the area - met with us while we were there for a month of doing nothing. Most of our stay was done in Sebring (the same as the famous speedway Sebring) while the final week was in Clearwater.
We spent most of that time indulging in doing exactly what our doctor told us not to do while in Florida: gorging on fresh shrimp and other shellfish. Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, The Conch Republic, Cajun Bayou, The Don Ce´sar Beach Resort . . . they all had enough fresh seafood to satisfy your appetite many times over.
What a thrill that was.
It was at the Grand Hotel Don Ce´sar that we all had a meal and long visit together. What a place!
Visitors and guests had to walk down opulent hallways with numerous luxury shops of all kinds. And then down a winding stairway to the pool and out to a private beach along the Gulf where we watched the sun set just prior to an evening rain.
From there it was into a dining room with those booths like you see in those big fancy restaurants in New York or Los Vegas. You know the type . . . booths shaped like a C with the one in the middle having to disturb everyone else if they needed to go to the bathroom.
We oped for the grill area.
It was a thrill just visiting.
After looking over the menu, we choose to share a sandwich with the wife and order one beer. She had water.
The children, however, decided to not only have a beer apiece (4) but a couple of appetizers that could be shared. As each plate was brought to the table - by no less than two waiters - the wife was slowly calculating the total tab in her head . . . which prompted her to cut me off after two glasses of brew.
The night ended too soon, because we were enjoying sitting back and watching our family talk and get to know one another.
When the check arrived after a couple of hours of our indulgence, we prepared for the worse. Bank loan, cash in our retirement, get an advance on our SS, how were we going to pay?
But then came the biggest thrill of our entire trip.
Not one, but both siblings offered to pay. In fact, they got into an argument as to who was going to pay. The wife started to say something, but, thankfully, they didn't hear her.
