No more lurking!

[betsyabel]

Hello to all you wonderful people. I've been lurking around for a few weeks and decided it was time to say hello.
My sister, mom, & I were on St John a year ago this week and had the most amazing time. We went on that trip just weeks after mom was diagnosed with cancer. She passed away this New Year's Day, but we're really doing okay.
Anyway, we are in the process of planning our 2nd get-away to St John and this time I think we're going to let the husbands come along. We're looking forward to being there and remembering what a great time we had. We've booked the villa and couldn't be more excited, even though it's over 300 days away.
I'm sure I'll have many questions as the planning continues and I've seen how helpful you all can be, so thanks in advance.
~Betsy

[mbw1024]

welcome and thanks for sharing your bittersweet story. I hope you have a great second trip. 300 days goes by fast .. really .. no I'm not joking. My current count started at over 300 days so I'm with you on that!

What's your villa this time?

[Gromit]

Can't think of a better way to get back into life than a trip to STJ.

I swear the island has healing properties!

[betsyabel]

I agree, it's definitely a very healing place. We've reserved Star Villa this time around.
I'm sure 300 days goes by fast, we started planning this far out the last time too. Still, seems like it can't come soon enough

[California Girl]

Welcome Betsy! Everyone's right about 300 days going by fast. I started out at OVER 300 and now I'm down to 64 days!

[RickG]

betsyabel, its cool that your Mom got to go with you last year. Whenever we hear of another cancer diagnosis for someone we know the next thing someone says is "St. John." It's a healing place for us.

Are you sure you want to bring the husbands this time?

Cheers, RickG

[betsyabel]

RickG - It's not necessarily that we want to bring them...we just sort of feel like we better bring them this time around. It will be fun to share everything with them this time around, then next time we might just "have" to go it alone again.
California Girl - Lucky you, just 64 days to go! I hate to wish time away, but...

[smilesfromMN]

It is lovely to hear that you had the opportunity to share the island with your mom - what great memories! I am glad to hear that you and your sister are doing okay... planning a return trip is probably a great way to focus on the future. It will help you get through the rest of this MN winter, too! We're headed back to STJ in five weeks and knowing that a week of sun, sea and sand is coming makes putting the snowpants, jackets, mittens, scarves, and hats on the kids (sometimes 2, 3, 4 times a day) a little easier! This forum is great - fun, kind, helpful people. I am a frequent lurker, occassional poster (I don't feel quite knowlegable enough to post much) and big fan of all the folks here. Happy planning!