Family boat ride

The camp was a little hit or miss this year. The gypsy moth caterpillars and disgusting moths they have turned into, pretty much took over June and July and prevented a lot of outdoor fun. Kind of a bummer but we have made the best of it. August was beautiful!  Some of you know that we have partnered with Tylenol this year to share how “we family” and what family means to us. This month we are sharing the amazing life lessons learned on a 45 minute boat ride. I know, sounds crazy but when you live with four generations of family under one roof, you would be amazed at the stories that one learns. We recently took my grandfather out on a family boat ride and oh the stories that he started to tell. My grandfather had not been on a boat on over 70 years so it sent him back in time.

This post was sponsored by Tylenol. I have received information about #HowWeFamily from the makers of TYLENOL ® .  All opinions and words are 100% my own.

I was worried about him getting down to the dock and not falling in the water but he made it. Of course, the day we go on the boat, he left his cane at home.

He must have told me 3 stories about kids jumping off cliffs in the quarry near his house who ended up drowning.  My grandfather told me that he almost drowned as a kid when he was 10 and he never learned to swim because of that. It was unheard of when my grandfather as a kid, for kids to take swimming lessons. I guess it was pretty common back then that kids didn’t learn to swim. My son was amazed that my grandfather didn’t know how to swim and my grandfather explained to my son the importance of swimming safety. It was a reminder to me that life “back then” was so different. I love that my son gets to hear all these stories from my grandparents. You see, my grandparents grew up in the depression and literally had no money. When my son gets a new toy, which sometimes is too often, my grandfather is quick to remind him how lucky he is.

My dad snoozed for the entire ride. I have never met anyone who can basically fall asleep anywhere and in 2 seconds like him.

Our family boat ride was a success and even though my grandmother couldn’t make it down to the water, she enjoyed the peace and quiet by herself on the deck over-looking the water. My grandfather is driving her crazy lately so she likes it when we take him “away” for a while. -ha. I feel so fortunate to be able to living with my grandparents, parents and my family under one roof. I know without a doubt, the meaning of family would be so different if we were not all under one roof together. I learn something new everyday about grandparents and parents but most importantly, we are together and taking care of family is all that matters. Want to read our other #HowWeFamily stories, checkout the “front stoop memories” with my grandfather post and be sure to check out our multigenerational living page for more family stories and our newly created dementia diaries category.