Even though we paid for the vacation, our granddaughter insisted on staying at our villa, which transformed our family’s celebration into an unplanned educational moment.
My husband and I are lucky to be in our seventies, and we wanted to celebrate our granddaughter Robin’s recent wedding with an amazing family vacation. Up until now, we had only seen idyllic images of Bora Bora on postcards, and it appeared like the ideal travel location.
We got a great deal and reserved lodging for the entire family, including a luxurious villa for us and three bungalows for the grandchildren. Although the villa included opulent features like an ocean slide, sauna, and pool, the bungalows were nonetheless roomy and cozy.
Everything was going well until a family meal when Robin, not realizing the opulence of our villa, declared her desire for it. To our astonishment and dismay, she felt entitled to the nicest accommodations and demanded them right away.
Even when we tried to explain that family time is more important than material stuff, Robin wouldn’t have it. She called us unfair and frugal. Despite the challenging circumstances, we never wavered in our conviction that appreciation and deference should come before entitlement.
Following a restless night of thinking, I made the decision to act. We gave Robin and her husband the choice to end the trip early if they were genuinely dissatisfied, instead of caving in to their requests. Although it was a difficult choice, we thought that it was essential to upholding the family’s integrity and harmony.
In the end, Robin and her husband made the decision to go, creating a gloomy atmosphere that persisted for a short while until the rest of the family pulled together, enjoying their time together without the drama.
Our family vacation ultimately acted as a poignant reminder of the significance of love, respect, and unity within a family—values that transcend financial things. Even though Robin’s passing was a bittersweet event, it made room for more meaningful relationships and treasured memories to form with those who stayed.