You Forgot to Pack the Coffee?!?!? Strengthening Relationships Through Adversity

Have you ever had a family vacation that seemed more like an adventure from a survival movie? On this special bonus episode of Brain-Based Parenting, join me,  as I recount an unforgettable camping trip to the Rocky Mountains with my family. From a dramatic dog rescue in a raging river to a runaway tent in hurricane-force winds, our seemingly idyllic camping trip quickly turned into a series of unexpected and sometimes harrowing events. Through relentless rain, bone-chilling cold nights, and even a surprise bear visit, our perseverance and sense of humor were put to the ultimate test.

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Transcript

Speaker 1 0:01

Welcome to the special bonus episode of Brain-Based Parenting, the Boys Ranch podcast for families. Instead of our usual format, we are dedicating this episode to sharing heartwarming, inspirational and perhaps even tear-jerking stories, from moments that bring a smile to your face to anecdotes that tug at your heartstrings. We are here to share stories that might make you laugh, cry or simply fill you with a renewed sense of hope. Let's celebrate the many facets of parenthood together. Now here's your host, joshua Sprott.

Speaker 2 0:34

It's summertime. That means for a lot of people it's family vacation time. Over the last few weeks I've heard several friends and family members talk about getting ready to go on their summer trips, or I've seen the pictures of their trips that they've just and they've just returned and posted on social media. Some of the stories have sounded like they were wonderful trips and all the kids behaved and made memories that will last a lifetime. I've also heard of a few other trips that were so rough that everyone swore that they would never take a family vacation again. This got me to thinking about a camping trip I was on, where I almost gave up camping forever.

Speaker 2 1:06

Several years ago, my wife April and my three daughters and my in-laws went on a camping trip to Colorado. We take a camping trip to the same campground every year and usually we go in late July and early August. That year, however, due to some scheduling conflicts, we picked the first weekend after school got out in June and headed up to the Rocky Mountains. It wasn't 10 minutes after we arrived that the camping trip from H-E Double Hockey Sticks started. We got out of our minivan and started to unpack, and while we were doing so, one of our dogs ran down to the mountain stream, which, at the end of July and August, is normally a peaceful mountain stream. However, in June, due to the melting snow runoff, it was a frigid, raging river and our dog decided to jump in and go for a swim. She was quickly whisked away by the current. Thankfully, my wife, april, made a mad dash and, in a heroic effort, was able to grab our dog by the collar and pull her to safety. Later that afternoon my nephew, who was only six months old at the time, was asleep for a nap in his tent when, out of nowhere, a hurricane force wind came and flipped his tent upside down. I don't think I've ever seen my sister-in-law run as fast as she did after that runaway tent. Thankfully, when she unzipped the tent door and my nephew was completely fine, he wasn't even crying.

Speaker 2 2:16

I checked the weather before we left Amarillo and it said only a 10% chance of rain. Well, I think they left a zero off because after the hurricane force wind came a monsoonal downpour which forced us all into our tents, where we were cooped up until about 7 pm. Finally, we were able to get out of our tent, only to find that the campground was a complete muddy mess. Fortunately, with the help of a lot of lighter fluid, we got the campfire going and ate some supper, and we even had some s'mores.

Speaker 2 2:41

As I mentioned earlier, we usually come in July and August and at nighttime the temperatures are actually pretty pleasant. Well, in early June that is not the case. Between the rain and the 30 degree temperatures, april, my three girls and I cuddled together and shivered the whole night through. Everything was so wet and we were all so cold. I'm pretty sure not one of us got a wink of sleep. Finally, dawn came and we went to restart the fire. Unfortunately, that's when I found out that I forgot to pack the coffee. It was the saddest morning ever.

Speaker 2 3:15

We're there for two more days and things were slightly better than the first day, but not by much. There was an incident with a fish hook where one of the kids snagged their parents' shirt and tore a pretty nice gash in it, and to top it all off, a bear ate some of our food one night. So over the week I may have been a little grumpy with April and I may have raised my voice a few times when my kids got into their 1,000th argument, but in the end we all survived, and I was never happier to be home and sleep in my own warm, comfy bed. It was interesting that next week, whenever I talked to anyone who asked me about our camping trip, they also had a story to share about a disastrous camping trip or vacation. Coincidentally, a few weeks later, april and I went to a marriage conference where the keynote speaker made a statement that, in his experience, most successful families that he knew have had a terrible no good, disastrous camping trip or vacation. He said that instead of thinking of these disastrous outings as negative, you need to look at these trips as a sign of a strong family unit.

Speaker 2 4:10

For what he said, three reasons. One, it's good to remember that this too shall pass. Everything, good or bad, eventually comes to an end. We may not feel it at the time, but with experience comes wisdom and a broader perspective. You can use what you learned in the situation to help you when you encounter future situations, and you can also realize it's going to end at some point. This too shall pass.

Speaker 2 4:32

Two, when you're away from the comforts of home and things start to break down and there isn't a grocery store just around the corner to go buy some coffee, you have to find a way to figure things out and in doing so, you have the opportunity to come together as a family and do things together you didn't know that you were capable of, and that makes you stronger.

Speaker 2 4:48

And three it's easy to say I love you and I'll always have your back when everything is sunshine and rainbows.

Speaker 2 4:54

But how much more powerful is it to say I love you when you're stuck in a cold, wet tent, getting no sleep and shivering the night away and say I'll always have your back to the person who forgot to pack the coffee?

Speaker 2 5:04

So for those of you who haven't gone on a summer vacation yet, I do hope that when you do, it will be a very peaceful, relaxing and wonderful time where relationships are strengthened and you all make beautiful memories that will last you a lifetime. However, if everything does go sideways and the trip falls apart, I would challenge you to remember that you will get through it. See it as an opportunity to come together and for everyone to help each other out and to show grace and unconditional love to your kids and your spouse. You will have the opportunity to show them that you have their backs in both the good times and in the bad, and to let them know that your relationship can survive a difficult challenge, and remember crisis is opportunity If you have the chance to show your kids unconditional love and forgiveness, and it's even possible to forgive someone who forgets to pack the coffee. All right, thank you all for joining us today and until next week, remember you might have to loan out your front of lobes today. Just make sure you remember to get them back.

Speaker 1 5:58

Thank you for listening to Brain Based Parenting. We hope you enjoyed this show. If you would like more information about Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, are interested in employment, would like information about placing your child, or would like to help us help children by donating to our mission, please visit calfarleyorg. You can find us on all social media platforms by searching for Calfarley's. Thank you for spending your time with us and have a blessed day.