Pam Halter
Writing Editing Serving

Parents Blog

A Typical Halter Vacation
Thursday, November 8, 2012 by pam

Vacation. We look forward to it. We plan for it. We pack and get ready to go. That's what I've been doing for a few weeks now. And this morning, that's what we did. Anna was excited to go to the "vacation house" which is our time-share condo in Williamsburg, VA.

We started down the road and heard, whump, whump, whump. I said, what's that noise? Daryl had no idea. Thankfully, our mechanic is only a short distance from our house, so we drove there. We need something called a HUB. Chip's Auto Repair is the best there is. He's working on it now and we're hoping to be on the road in 2 hours. This is what we call a typical Halter vacation.

But Anna is totally confused. She refused to get out of the loaner vehicle and get back in the house. But we got her in and she's looking longingly out the window as I'm writing this.

Vacations are funny things when you have a special needs child. Anna looks forward to going, but in a couple of days, she'll want to come back home. We'll try to keep her occupied with videos and toys and we'll get her out as much as possible, but she'll still want to come home.

I want the change of scenery. I want to relax in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine and a good movie. I want to get some writing done. Instead, I'll fight with Anna. I'll pray she doesn't have bad seizures. One time, we were packing to come home and she had a seizure and cracked her head open on the corner of the doorway because she wasn't sitting down like we asked her to do. We never escape without something happening to either Anna or the van.

So, why do we do it? I have no idea. I suppose the change of scene and routine do us good, even for a little while. And I need to be thankful - more thankful - that we're able to get away. There are people right now who don't even have a house for living let alone vacationing. Thank the Lord for His protection and grace!

How are your vacations? Do you wish you could have one without your child? I do, but who would I ask to take the responsibility of Anna and her seizures? I wouldn't put anyone else in that situation, and really, Anna loves riding in the van, so there you have it.  Share your vacation experiences with us!


Comments

pam From At 12/2/2012 4:50:27 PM

We all need to do what works for our family. Good for you, recognizing what works and what doesn't!

Jenny From Lancaster PA At 12/2/2012 3:50:01 PM

Wow.... My husband and I.... we vacation apart - separately. That's what works for us. I admire you for taking the challenge. We take the easy way out... And honestly, when it's time to pack and come home, many times I don't want to.... There you have it!

Previous Posts

Good from Covid?
pam
5/18/2023

Encouragement from a fellow special mama
pam
7/31/2020

A Sister's Love
pam
5/16/2019

Medical Moms
pam
1/26/2019

The Power of Doritos
pam
5/7/2018

Yay For Friends!
pam
1/9/2018

Show You!
pam
9/11/2017

Happy? 26th Birthday, Anna
pam
5/15/2017

Re-grouping
pam
3/14/2017

We can relate!
pam
9/1/2016

A Little Fall Fun
pam
10/18/2015

Going Commando
pam
10/5/2015

So Behind
pam
9/22/2015

Stares and Storytime
pam
4/12/2015

Big Big Changes
pam
3/27/2015

Blog Post on Autism
pam
9/22/2014

The Power of Pets
pam
9/12/2014

Depression's Demands
pam
8/15/2014

Do We or Don't We?
pam
8/4/2014

Falling Down
pam
6/22/2014

Research Study
pam
5/23/2014

Who goes? Who stays?
pam
5/19/2014

Being Thankful
pam
4/25/2014

Excellent Article
pam
4/7/2014

Jury Duty and Holland
pam
3/27/2014

I Confess
pam
3/17/2014

The Dreaded Medication Change
pam
3/4/2014

Keeping It Together - part seven
pam
2/24/2014

Keeping it Together - part six
pam
2/10/2014

A Milestone Day
pam
2/3/2014

Keeping it together - part five
pam
1/21/2014

Keeping It Together - part four
pam
1/3/2014

Keeping it Together - part three
pam
12/16/2013

Keeping it Together - part two
pam
12/9/2013

Keeping it Together - part one
pam
12/5/2013

Catching Up
pam
11/13/2013

The Perfect House
pam
10/25/2013

Another Mom in the Mix
pam
10/7/2013

Grieving the Loss
pam
9/24/2013

Great article
pam
9/11/2013

This and That
pam
9/9/2013

Fun in the ER
pam
8/30/2013

Bless me, Anna!
pam
8/14/2013

Talk to me, Anna!
pam
8/8/2013

God's Will
pam
7/30/2013

Update on Anna's bloodwork
pam
7/24/2013

Stirring the Cesspool
pam
7/11/2013

Vacation and Other Fun Stuff
pam
7/3/2013

A Day at the Beach
pam
6/17/2013

Anna's Surgery Experience
pam
6/5/2013

No Place For Anna
pam
5/26/2013

Painful Gifts
pam
5/21/2013

Happy 22nd Birthday, Anna!
pam
5/15/2013

A Rough Day
pam
5/6/2013

Things I've Learned - part five
pam
4/30/2013

Things I've Learned - part four
pam
4/22/2013

Things I've Learned - part three
pam
4/15/2013

Things I've Learned - part two
pam
4/9/2013

Interview with Terri Groh
pam
4/5/2013

Things I've Learned - part one
pam
4/3/2013

The Things People Say - part eight
pam
3/27/2013

Comparisons
pam
3/18/2013

Why Is It A Blessing?
pam
3/11/2013

Tim's Place
pam
3/8/2013

New Medication Worries
pam
3/5/2013

A Night Out for Anna
pam
2/25/2013

Play it again, Sam
pam
2/20/2013

Happy Birthday
pam
2/15/2013

The Anna Bowl
pam
2/4/2013

The Queen of Babble-on
pam
1/30/2013

Really, people?
pam
1/25/2013

Cold Feet
pam
1/23/2013

Hearing God
pam
1/15/2013

Running Away
pam
1/10/2013

Post-Christmas-Reentry-Syndrome
pam
1/4/2013

Emmanuel, God With Us
pam
12/17/2012

Take Heart
pam
12/7/2012

Jumping in the Leaves
pam
11/27/2012

Being Thankful
pam
11/19/2012

Patience and Love and Wretchedness
pam
11/13/2012

A Typical Halter Vacation
pam
11/8/2012

Is This Really My Life?
pam
11/1/2012

Frankenstorm
pam
10/27/2012

A Small Victory at Anna's Program
pam
10/24/2012

Update on the problem at Anna's program
pam
10/22/2012

The Fight Goes On
pam
10/19/2012

Fighting the Good Fight
pam
10/18/2012

Sit down, Anna
pam
10/16/2012

The Things People Say - conclusion
pam
10/15/2012

The Cloaking Device
pam
10/12/2012

The Things People Say - part seven
pam
10/11/2012

The Things People Say - part six
pam
10/10/2012

The Things People Say - part five
pam
10/9/2012

The Things People Say - part four
pam
10/4/2012

The Things People Say - part three
pam
10/3/2012

The Things People Say - part two
pam
10/2/2012

The Things People Say - part one
pam
10/1/2012

Godzilla Lives at my House
pam
9/27/2012

The Early Bird Gets Eaten
pam
9/26/2012

Over and Over Again
pam
9/25/2012

What Good Are Seizures?
pam
9/21/2012

Why Me?
pam
9/20/2012

The Rest of my Life?
pam
9/19/2012

Feelings
Pam
9/18/2012