We normally fly to Washington and back. This time we drove. Two long days in the car each way. Rain, fog, wind, sun, clouds. Snow on the ground, thankfully not falling on our heads. Trees on the ground, getting in the way of the cars. Mud and rocks on the road, getting in the way of cars. Highway 101 fissuring and falling more than 20 feet, stopping traffic both ways. A 10-mile-long detour on a very narrow, winding road with no shoulder next to the cliffs. A road not meant for this much traffic. Car full of our record albums from the 1970s and 1980s to give to our son in law. I don’t know why I kept them this long.
On the way home, car full of the cradle my father made for my first born. Four grandchildren and one great grandchild have slept there. Each of their names and birthdates have been lovingly and carefully carved in the sides. I need to learn to carve before the next one is born. I am sure I have time. This time, we didn’t bring snow or hail. We brought sunshine. Washington and Oregon have had enough snow. California has had enough rain. We had a reunion of sorts to say goodbye to my father. Cousins on my side of the family who have never met my kids or my sister’s kids. Dad’s sons in law from his second marriage. It was a happy lunch. We drank Dad’s favorite beer, Mac and Jack. Cheers, Dad. We attended our grandson’s 6th birthday party. Happy birthday Calvin. He’s a kick. We love him and he loves us. My heart swells. I am a very lucky woman. I enjoy spending time with my in-laws. All of them. We stopped at Marc’s parent’s house on the way up and on the way back. Two delicious dinners. Wine. Conversation. Laughs. Tenderness. Home again. Bliss. Thankful to be out of the car. Four loads of laundry. Our incredible house sitter left us food. Thank you! Magnus has been telling me all about his week with the house sitter. He didn’t make friends with her. His loss. He is happy to be outside having adventures that he will tell me about so I can write them down. I am a cat’s scribe. Comments are closed.
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