Wednesday 21st December
  

We like Robbies. You liked Robbies. A fun place to eat, right on the water, watching pelicans, egrets and giant tarpon, as well as people messing about on boats.

We left Marathon this morning, making our way up to Islamorada, where we will be based for the next three weeks. On the way we stopped off at the Hungry Tarpon for the best tuna tacos ever.

We miss you my darling, so very much.

Thinking of you as always.

Love you forever

Treasured Angel son

xxxxxx

Your Grinch came to lunch with us

Dad and I at Robbies

Pelicans

Tarpon, waiting to be fed

Pelicans lined up hoping to catch some fish being fed to the tarpon

I’m renting this boat

Robbies Christmas tree

Tall and twisted palm tree

Monday 19th December
  

“What shall we do today?”

That’s what you’d always ask, every single morning, whether we were on holiday or not. You had to know what was being planned, where we were going: your itinerary.

So today I had a look on TripAdvisor, and the #1 place to visit in Marathon is the Turtle Hospital. I think you would have liked the guided tour of the various holding pools for rescued and rehabilitating turtles. Perhaps the one named Donatello would make you smile, as you did enjoy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I’m sure you would have giggled at the strangely named ‘Bubble Butt Syndrome’, caused after a collision with a boat, when the back end of the turtle floats and will not submerge due to trapped air and nerve damage.

We saw many green turtles, from hatchlings to full sized ones, an enormous leatherback turtle, and a shy hawksbill. A great way to spend a morning, learning about the work of the hospital, conservation, rehabilitation and the environment in which these animals live. I think you would have approved.

From here we drove south to Bahia Honda state park and spent a couple of hours on the beach, and paddling in the water. It really was incredibly hot; many parts of the States may be freezing cold, being snowed upon, but here beneath the palm trees it was glorious. You would have been swimming, or exploring the foreshore, running back to us to report on the large green iguanas that you had seen. 

We hope you liked the places we went to today. You were with us in spirit I’m sure; at every twist and turn, on each corner, round every bend, you’re there.

Love you so much sweetheart.

Dearest Angel son.

xxxxxx

A green turtle called Sam 

Thurston the green turtle

Bahia Honda, oceanside

Bahia Honda, bayside

Bahia Honda today. Seagrass, turnstones and blue skies

You and Dad, August 2013

August 2013 at Bahia Honda

You, having fun at the beach

Sunday 18th December
  

Finding shade beneath the palms

The sun glints off water in the pool

Quietly peaceful, a perfect afternoon

Ice cold drinks, trying to keep cool.

You’d jump in, splash about and swim

A cheeky grin spread across your face

Finding pleasure in simple things

I know you’re up there someplace.

So close to us, right by our sides 

At times, I think you’re still here

If I close my eyes and try real hard

On the next sunbed, you’ll appear.

And so, my splashing little Angel

Enjoy playing in the pools of heaven

Swimming underwater like a fish

The fun you have will never lessen.

Love you Angel

Dearest darling son.

xxxxxx

Beside the pool

Sunset over the dock

Saturday 17th December
  

A warm breeze

Through the trees

Day to seize

Pain to ease.

Bright sunshine

Still shoreline

Angel mine

Love divine.

Sparkling sea

Flying free

Wish you’d be

Here with me.

xxxxxx

Thursday 15th December
  

Such a pretty drive along the Overseas Highway, fifty miles south to Key West. On the left hand side of the road is the Atlantic ocean, and on the right, the Gulf of Mexico.

We have been here on a number of occasions, each time with you, my darling. So today we tried to explore a little more, rather than simply retracing our usual steps. We didn’t eat in our normal spot, (where you really enjoyed the chocolate dipped strawberries, drizzled with chantilly cream), but did have a cold drink on Sunset Pier, where we have sat together, many, many times.

The palm trees were wrapped with fairy lights, street lamps beribboned to look like candy canes, and various decorated Christmas trees were dotted about. 

Missing you sweetheart

Thinking of you so much

Blowing kisses to heaven

Love you forever

xxxxxx

Key West Christmas tree

A nautical tree

This one made from fishing floats

Under the shade on Sunset Pier, looking towards the Enchantment of the Seas

You and Dad on Sunset Pier, January 2007

You and I on Sunset Pier

Street lamps looking festive

Dressed for the season

Dinner at Burdines

You, at Burdines, December 2006

Wednesday 14th December
  

Sombrero Beach this morning

The first time here without you

So many memories come to mind

Time to reflect, take in the view.

You would walk along the hot sand 

Dipping your toes into the sea

Reading a book, with headphones on

Until bored, then you’d run back to me.

We miss you so much my Angel

It’s really not the same at all

Visiting places we went to with you

Sights and sounds are there to recall.

Darling son

Love you

Missing you

xxxxxx

You at Sombrero Beach, January 1st 2007

Sombrero Beach today

Palm fronds and blue sky

To the beach

Tuesday 13th December
  

Such a beautiful sunset this evening

Fiery pinks and oranges light up the sky

I know you would have loved it here

My darling with Angel wings you fly.

xxxxxx