It is a surreal experience to wake up in Hawaii as a Washingtonian.
Unlike the damp, dreary mornings that routinely welcome my rousing back home, the island of Maui greets me with a sun-kissed earth and rolling blue waves.
This lush paradise will always serve as a reminder of how good some people have it, and as days of my stay diminish into the sunset, I must instead settle for the rain that I can never get used to eagerly awaiting me in Kirkland.
Even on vacation, the curse of precipitation seems to be unavoidable, and I find myself habitually peering up at the sky for that 30-percent chance as I lounge in my pool chair. Yet, preoccupying myself with rain that may or may not come is unprofitable, especially when I should be reflecting on how fortunate I am to even be on vacation.
I must acknowledge my loving parents who brought me with them to this island getaway. The Shucklin family is composed of just three, and it is odd to think that this might be the last vacation that just us three take before my departure to college. Mixed feelings stir up within me as I process that thought.
As an only child, I am well accustomed to traveling with just my parents, and the spoils that comes with it (souvenirs), though I also wish I could share the experiences with others, preferably my own age.
One of the perks, and I use that term loosely, of being an only child on vacation is that feeling of loneliness that tags along to your vacation as well. Walking into the pool area for the first time conjures up that cliché déjà vu moment of being the new kid at school again, scanning the entire area for potential new friends.
Due to my lacking in the sibling department, it is essential I make temporary acquaintances during my trip to compensate my feelings of isolation. I mean, I could hang with my parents, but they enjoy lounging around the poolside and reading.
While I have grown out of my intimidation of meeting new people on trips, when I was younger, I used to imagine I had a sibling to play with. I didn’t always have fun, but the brother in my head did. Yes, vacationing with your parents as an only child has its faults, but I also feel that it increased the bond I have with my parents.
Sure, my vacation could be more exciting if another kid came, but in a way, it’s nice to just spend time with my family; an opportunity I don’t always get to indulge in back home.
Reflecting on the possibility that this could be my last vacation with my parents for some time saddens me, yet even that and the rain isn’t enough to dampen my Hawaiian afternoon. Mahalo.
Reporter intern Zach Shucklin is a senior at International Community School. Email zshucklin@kirklandreporter.com
