My sister Lynn was full of creativity & often planning something exciting for friends or family to do with her. I've included photos here of a couple of such occasions. The first one is from her Atlanta Literary Festival which she got all of her friends and many others to help her with. Then there are 2 from our childhood in our 4th home at the time, which reminds me of some of the wacky games and creative things she'd come up with for us to entertain ourselves as children--such as turning our bedroom into a campground using blankets to create makeshift tents. One shows Lynn and our youngest niece at Disneyworld, the 2nd trip she planned and carried through after her diagnosis. She treated Donny, his wife, their two sons and two daughters, and I on this trip that she'd actually wanted us all to go on for years. Another photo shows our oldest niece holding our youngest niece on a trip Lynn took all of our nieces and nephews and I on, to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.
I found the letter below on her computer a few days after our father's funeral, a week and a half after she passed. Then I was moved to write the attached piece which I'm really hoping you will click on to enlarge and read first (and please excuse the typos on it; I discovered after the fact that it was printed on an earlier, rather than final, draft--for all you other teachers out there)!
Dear Family,
Join us for a wonderful week (or long weekend) on the beautiful North Carolina coast at a beautiful ocean front cottage aptly named “Surviving Stress.” The date has finally been set – Saturday, October 15 through the following Friday, October 21st. Surviving Stress is located in Caswell Beach on Oak Island approximately half an hour from Wilmington. The house itself is breathtakingly beautiful with three levels, an elevator, and a gourmet kitchen that will have us all grabbing the pots; four oceanfront decks facing the Atlantic fully equipped with hammocks, swings and rocking chairs; six beautiful bedrooms and 3.5 baths; there’s a fireplace in the main floor living room; a den on the 2nd floor balcony. The house comes complete with multiple cable televisions, VCR, DVD with surround sound, CD player etc. Bring your favorite music and movies! There’s also a fully stocked game cabinet, so get ready for bid whist, spades, bingo or whatever! A short walk right off the back deck connects to a private boardwalk across the dune to the beach and ocean. The house is spacious enough for everyone to find a quiet spot to read or quietly enjoy the ocean views. Painters bring your sketch pad or portable easel, writers that special pen and lots of paper……you will be inspired by the sisterhood and the beautiful setting. Note to the gamblers: The casino boat leaves from Little River twice a day. It’s about thirty minutes from where we will be staying. Note to the shoppers: The outlet centers at Myrtle Beach are half-an-hour away so bring those charge cards if that’s what you like to do! I know we will see you there…just imagine watching the sun rise on the ocean! You can’t resist. We love you and hope you can share this very special time with us. COST: The cost is the same for the weekend or the full week….$300. This covers the rental, linen service and maid service at the end of our stay. We will share the cost of food.
Love,
Lynn
I also wrote about this unbelievable experience afterwards in the piece that I've submitted here. Although we all have yet to go back to this breathtaking place, you can find it yourself online at www.survivingstress.com Maybe you'll get that much needed R&R there that we have yet to take advantage of!
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