My family is complicated, but I’m fortunate. I have four living sons and one who has passed, one daughter, two daughters‑in‑law, and one son‑in‑law. There are ten living grandchildren, one who has passed — he was the son of the son I lost — and one great‑grandchild. Keeping up with everyone keeps me busy, and the family web gets even more tangled because two of the mothers of my grandchildren are no longer part of my immediate family. Even so, I’ve been lucky. They’ve allowed me to stay connected to my grandkids, and one even invited me along on a spring break cruise to the Eastern Caribbean.

While I was staying in Benson, Arizona, I flew from Phoenix to Dulles International in Virginia. Adam’s mother, Emma, picked me up. We spent the day at her place and then drove to Portsmouth, where the cruise ship was departing. It was a Carnival cruise — casinos, restaurants, pools, all the usual cruise‑ship chaos. I enjoyed my time with Adam and Emma.

We were scheduled for three ports of call: Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Grand Turk in Turks & Caicos, and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic. We missed Half Moon Cay due to bad weather, so our first actual stop was Grand Turk. Grand Turk has a very relaxed, island‑time feel — pastel buildings, friendly vendors, and that unmistakable mix of Caribbean and British colonial influence. Adam headed straight for the beach, and I watched from the shore. The waves were a little strong for me, but he had a great time playing in them.

Our second port — and the highlight of the trip — was Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has a very different energy from Turks & Caicos: louder, livelier, more colorful, with music everywhere and a strong sense of local pride. I found an ATV rental company that would let a fourteen‑year‑old drive his own ATV, and off we went into the forest. We passed small homes, roadside stands, and people going about their day, and it gave us a glimpse of everyday life beyond the tourist areas. We stopped at a small trading post and later at a beautiful beach lined with food vendors and local craft stalls showcasing Dominican heritage. Adam enjoyed his virgin mai tais — he had two — and we soaked in the scenery. As usual, the food on the ship ranged from good to superb, and March is a perfect time to be in the Caribbean.

My flight home was uneventful, and I returned to Arizona grateful. Not many people can say they headed west and ended up in the Caribbean. I was thankful for the time with Adam and for the chance to spend a little more time with Emma. It was an enjoyable ten days.