A brother and a nephew

^{My brother Martyn, his son Sam and I have just concluded the greatest week of vacation.  Sam and Martyn arrived from the UK on May 27th 2011 and will be flying back home (SRQ-ATL-LHR) in about 20 minutes from now (6:55 p.m. Saturday 4th June 2011).}

^{Sam, aged 15, has blossomed this week.  He’s always been a bit diffident about “new things”, but he overcame this diffidence in splendid fashion.  I noticed it, and his Dad commented on it.}

^{He’s learned to like good steak, cooked medium rare.  He’s been able to socialise well with folks he’d never before met.  We kayaked in Sarasota Bay and he took to the kayak like a pro. Dad and he went out on to the Intra-Coastal last Monday on a jet-ski, and Sam liked it so very much, that he and I repeated the adventure this morning  (more about this later).  Sam, Martyn and I parasailed off Anna Maria Island on Friday 3rd June and the formerly “slightly retiring” 15 year old enjoyed every moment.}

^{Of course, there was “something in this for me too”.   I got into the spirit of adventure, and thoroughly enjoyed the kayaking, the parasailing, and the jet skiing.   I would never have had these adventures apart from the visit of my favourite brother and my favourite nephew.}

^{Three months ago Sam was not even sure if he wanted to fly to the U.S.A.   Now he is talking about his hope for another trip next year!}

^{About the jet-ski trip this morning:  I was “naughty” and allowed Sam to drive (of course you allow 15 year olds to have adventures, even if it flies in the face of  State regulations).  This morning when Sam was “driving” he zigzagged (by intention) so much that I flew off the back of the Jet Ski and was plunged into the Intra-Coastal.  I was wearing a lanyard and when that cut loose the engine stopped.  I bobbed around and then swam back to the Jet Ski to the merry sound of Sam’s hearty laughter at his “dunking of his Uncle”!   Sam and I will never forget this.} 

^{How blessed I am to have such a cool brother and nephew.   The photo’ is of the three of us as we were heading out to our parasailing adventure on Friday.}