Wow! Good
to Go just finished our annual “Willamae Branson Trip” and what a hoot it
was! We spent a couple days visiting Branson in which we laughed, ate, saw some
shows, laughed a bunch more, ate even more and saw even more shows! As I reflected on the genuine friendship, kindness and
helpfulness of the 54 travelers that joined us, I paused several moments
thinking how thankful I am.
Let me fill in the blanks, just in case
you’ve never been on a Branson Christmas trip with Willamae. Our tours depart
the Grove Senior Center where the good folks there allow our travelers to park
their vehicles for the trip duration. We then take off for Branson Miz-er-y, a
three-hour trek to a favorite, group-friendly destination located in the
Ozarks. Long-time travelers know the drill and after some homemade goodies,
then it’s time to deck the halls or in this case, the bus, with tinsel,
garlands and Christmas ornaments. This
year’s theme was “Willamae’s Star Gazin’ Christmas in Branson” so we made our
own big stars for decorations. The Good
to Go Gang was laughing, taping, and working on the stars. It’s fun to make new
memories with new friends, and of course, remember stories from years
past. I’m thankful for a great group of
travelers we call “friends” but really are more like our travel family.
Eating our first of several meals immediately
on arrival, I was thankful to see how quickly the handful of new travelers were
engaged in conversation and made to feel welcome by those who’ve taken the
Willamae Branson Christmas trip year after year after year. I’m also thankful
that we have so much fun, travelers want to
go… year after year after year!
As we watched the Pierce Arrow show, I
was reminded how fortunate we are to have the talented musicians, singers and
comedians… without resorting to off-color jokes, innuendos and inappropriate 4-letter
words. Good, clean wholesome entertainment that had our gang clapping, laughing
and singing along. We all got a bit nostalgic at the Andy William’s Christmas
Show as they showed video of their 60 years(!) in show business. We were impressed with the seemingly ageless
Lennon Sisters, and Merrill Osmond, all of whom are still wonderful
entertainers. Age is so much about one’s spirit and not the birthdays. I love
bringing out the “kid” in people. We had quite an age range on the trip. Knowing
the entertainment and trip choices would be appropriate for everyone is another
thing for which I am thankful.
I’m thankful for good friends in the
travel business from all over the United States and on this particular trip, we
got to see a good friend and have some fun. Laura Hollingsworth with First
Partners out of South Dakota were also on a Branson trip. We were pleasantly
surprised to see her come running over to say hello before the show “Wonderland”
at the King’s Theater. Willamae had entertained in South Dakota for their
travel club several years back and, well, it’s kinda hard to miss Willamae when
she’s around! During the show, the much-older-sister Julia and I went out to
their bus and since friend Gina Casey had bought us some brand-spankin’ new
decorations, we used our leftover decorations to decorate their bus. Swearing their bus driver to secrecy (for awhile, at
least), we got to giggle and enjoy watching their travelers return to a festive
atmosphere onboard their motorcoach. I’m thankful we were able to, in such a
seemingly simple gesture, “make their day”.
And Laura made our day, too. She called
and said they were wondering what they could do to repay our kindness. The Good
to Go Gang beamed with pride when it was revealed that Laura’s bus had decided
to “pay it forward” and use those decorations to adorn another bus before
heading back to South Dakota. I’m thankful when people take the time to
brighten the lives of others.
As we head into the final four weeks of
the holiday season, culminating in the celebration of Christmas and ringing in
the New Year, I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve been blessed with, the
many friends I’ve made along the way, and a great group of travelers … the Good
to Go Gang.
