We became champions of wet golf, tennis, and snorkeling, but the novelty wore off quickly. Our villa transformed into a makeshift laundry room, with damp clothes draped over every doorknob. The highlight of our day turned out to be Cameron’s fortuitous find of frozen candy bars in the deserted marina shop’s cooler.
In a desperate attempt to bring some fun to our dreary situation, I dug out family games like Uno and The Game of Life, along with a collection of family-friendly DVDs that had been stashed away. “School of Rock, Mom, seriously?” Cameron remarked. “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?” I chirped, trying to pique my teenagers’ interest. No response; it seemed our movie selection was outdated. The familiar sounds of tapping on phones and tablets echoed through the air once more.
Like an overly eager camp counselor, I rummaged through games from their childhood, but the prospect of a round of Bananagrams failed to excite anyone. The boys showed no interest in Tic-Tac-Toe or Hangman either. Morale hit rock bottom. I even pitched a detailed laundry lesson, suggesting it might be a good skill to hone for their upcoming college years. Not a single taker.
Even during the rare moments when the sun peeked through, the kids quickly grew tired of the beach, opting to return to the pool just 45 minutes in. The days of making instant friends by burying their father in the sand were long gone. At ages 14 and 17, there wasn’t much incentive to meet fellow vacationers. On particularly rainy days, I considered arranging a play date with a teenager I met in the elevator.
The usual distractions for a rainy vacation—arcades, shopping malls, or places to hang out—were absent, and we were car-less. I felt like my family was stranded on a deserted island, with my thoughts penned as an SOS.
To make matters worse, we were running low on food just as grocery stores closed for two days for Cup Match, Bermuda’s beloved cricket tournament that draws crowds rivaling a Super Bowl party. The moment the boys learned about the closure, they began bickering over the last frosted strawberry Pop-Tart, turning the house into a battleground of crankiness and alliances like a reality show gone wrong. On top of it all, I lost my go-to hair gel, leading to a full-blown frizz fiasco reminiscent of the ’80s. There was even talk of changing our flights to return home early, despite the Northeast heatwave awaiting us.
Yet, amidst the chaos, moments of joy emerged unexpectedly, offering glimpses into the true essence of family connection. Cameron, our budding comedian, entertained us with his spot-on impressions, while Grant, our quieter son, surprised me by singing along to his favorite tracks from the past. My husband and I managed to carve out a “date” poolside, sharing the last cold beer on soaked lounge chairs. During one of the worst downpours (3.5 inches to be exact), we banded together to film a home movie showcasing Mark’s less-than-stellar wet golf game, and we all laughed as we brainstormed background music and captions.
During the occasional dry spells, the boys caught teal-tinged waves, their youthful skin still tanning, albeit under cloudy skies. Mark caught up on emails, while I indulged in some spa time. Being confined indoors turned out to be not as terrible as I had feared. We not only survived our rain-soaked vacation but also emerged closer than ever. New memories were created, and we snapped countless selfies—souvenirs for our hearts. As I packed away the unused sunscreen, I came to the realization that sunshine might just be overrated.
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Summary
In the face of a dreary, rain-soaked summer vacation, our family found ways to connect despite the challenges. While traditional forms of entertainment failed to engage our teens, unexpected moments of laughter and bonding brought us closer together. From impromptu family performances to spontaneous movie-making, we discovered that even in the most trying situations, joy can be found. Ultimately, we learned that vacations aren’t just about the weather; they’re about the memories we create together.