We got to go on an adventure today to 100 Islands National Park in the Philippines. It was beautiful! There are more than 100 islands in this cluster off the shore of the biggest island of the Philippines. We got to do a lot of swimming, as well as cave jumping and enjoying the amazing ocean!
While we were swimming off the third island we stopped at, I got to the point where I was tired and just wanted to stop. Thankfully I had a life vest on and could just float for a bit. But as I was swimming, giving all my energy, I could hear Dad in my head, "Keep your hands cupped. Make big motions to push yourself forward." I could see all of us in the pool at Mr. LaRue's house splashing and having fun, sharing the snorkels and goggles but not really knowing how to use them. I remember jumping off the diving board for the first time. Or how we would go swimming and be exhausted afterwords, just wanting to go home and eat dinner. We had to be careful to not drip as we walked through their house and the office to get to the car.
Or also today, I hit my head on a rock. Yi Sin was calling out behind me, "Heads!" but I didn't register he was warning me and proceeded to knock my head into the rock. I was reminded of the time when we were running around outside and Annie hit her head on the post that fell from above the gate next to the utility room. Mom made her stay up late and not sleep so she could make sure there was no concussion.
Basically, through an adventure that involved a boat, three sailors, numerous islands, jumping into the ocean in a bat filled cave, snorkeling, and time with friends, I was greatly reminded of little memories through my childhood. Yet nonetheless, each little memory is something that can then tie my memories being made in the Philippines back to my family back home. It reminds me of what Benedict Cumberbatch said as Sherlock Holmes, something about a mind palace. All our memories are accessible, you just have to know where to find or store those memories in order to reach them.
Every memory I have is something that helps make me who I am today. My parents, my sisters, and my best friend all playing huge parts in those memories. That's not to say all those memories are happy. By the time they reach 19 years old, everyone has some negative memories to go alongside their positive. Friends leaving, making bad decisions, and simply the things of life that can effect people. But I am thankful to be able to stand and say proudly that through the tough times, through wanting to go home or cut off my legs because of itchy bug bites, God is still bigger and I have been blessed hugely by the people in my life- even before I knew I would recall memories (from before I was 10) on the opposite side of the planet from home.
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