On the Road, Again

A bit belated, but a Happy Holidays and Merry New Year to all of you!

We've been on a bit of a whirlwind since Jack's return to the States, it's been fun and all but I'm about ready for things to settle back down.

Since it had been well over a year since Jack's parents had seen him, and they had yet to meet their first grandchild, we headed to Seattle to see them and friends that are family.

The weather was stellar, as it always seems to be in Seattle when I go (makes me think those are some lyin' locals who speak of "endless rain" just to keep us Californians from invading).

But the weather was just the highlight to the reunion with Jack's folks and their introduction to Quinn.

Her grandmother, Nguyet, couldn't resist trying to give Quinn jewels of jade and telling her stories about how Jack loved his bottle of milk even after he started school.

Meanwhile, Grandpa Jim crawled around on the floor with her exploring all that Quinn found fascinating and pretending to find it as such too. It was a short visit, but instantly became a treasured memory.

We then spent Christmas day with Madeline Quinn's namesake -- lovingly known as "Auntie Maddy," which was just the relaxing day we had been craving.

There weren't any presents to unwrap, but a lot of catching up and laughing to do over fantastic food and a beautiful walk around Lake Washington.

Awaiting us down the coast at my parents' place was our dog and my beloved Subaru, so we wrapped things up and hit the road yet again. Considering it's nearly a thousand mile trip, Jack and I were especially grateful our rental car happened to be a hybrid.

We built in a few treats for ourselves by stopping in Portland and Berkeley long enough to see my friends and their spouses (Luna, from my days at Smith, and my high school friend Rachel -- and to meet her super cute and super tall 6-month old daughter, Isabella). That was a real pleasure for us and Quinn, but another would be found once we got to Monterey.

Quinn was greeted with a welcoming committee unlike any other when the three dogs started to jump out of orbit with glee and her only two cousins came running to the car door.

Who knew that a 10-year old boy would find his infant niece any fun (it probably helped that we took them to see elephants and a hyena...). But because he and his 6-year old sister took such interest in her, Quinn now squeals with glee whenever she sees their pictures.

The final departure from my parents' place was tough. We extended it by a day because it was just a little too painful to peel Quinn and the dog away without a little more time for all of us to adjust to our new reality.

When I left for a year in Monterey I was hopeful all would go well and it wouldn't blow up in my face damaging my relationship with my parents. Fortunately that was far from the case.

It is rare that an adult gets to return to live under her parents' roof and it not be unhappy circumstances.

That I had that opportunity to share a space with two people I admire more than virtually any other, without the veil of teenage angst, was a real gift. And that not only did I benefit -- but so did Quinn -- was ever the more a year to cherish.

So now the three of us and the dog are back on the road, making our way to Tennessee.

Quinn has adapted as best as a kid could to such an erratic schedule, and shown herself to have a most patient, resilient, and sweet of dispositions... We just hope it lasts so that even in her teenage angst she can enjoy another roadtrip now and then with her folks.

Love from the road for the New Year,
The Midgety Murphys