I think she’s revealing her age, Tomas.  (smile)  That’s O.K., haven’t heard that one in a long time myself — now I’m revealing my age!

I remember once, about 10 years ago, we were finally able to break away from the milk route for the first time in over 4 years, we only had a few days, didn’t really want to drive forever, but wanted to really make a memory.  We went to Holland, MI.  I will never forget Holland.  We camped at the State Park (mid-week wasn’t crowded, it was clean with lots of trees), we climbed sand dunes, we played at Lake Michigan, even though it was kind of cold, we checked out their lighthouse, we rode our bikes (Holland has awesome bike paths that run right along the main streets), kids strapped down with helmets & all up to Tunnel Park, a city park, where a tunnel was drilled right through a sand dune, you walk right out on the lake side.  It’s pretty cool.  The day we were there, a bad storm was coming in.  Being on vacation, we weren’t smart enough to care.  We stayed inside the tunnel, watching the force of the wind blow the whitecaps up on the lake & practically lay the sand reeds out flat by it’s force.  It was an awesome thing.  Later, when we called home, the family was frantic, they were sure we were involved in the storm damage & tornado that touched down in the area.  We didn’t even know about it and were fine (ignorance is bliss?).

Those 3 days were intense.  We played hard, we savored each moment & I cried when it was time to return home.  I think because we felt such freedom, even if it was only in our heads, to have to return home to life’s responsibilities just hit us twice as hard since we hadn’t been able to take break in so long.  I’m not even sure the children remember, Heidi would have been 8 or 9 (with a broken arm too).  But Holland will always be a special place, a “maybe someday I’ll want to live there” dreamland.

It’s cool that you had such an awesome time with Eric.  Heidi showed me your picture.  You didn’t look as I pictured (who ever does?), but neither are you the ogre you described.  I hope Texas will be your “maybe someday” dreamland.  You have the freedom to make it happen eventually.

Oh, and btw, we haven’t been able to really take a break for about 7 years now.  I have made my husband promise me that we’ll take a cruise to Alaska someday, we have some vacation time long overdue to us & I want to make it good (oh the joys of being self-employed!).  Maybe someday . . .

Friends  ~  Terri