By the time the sun rose, the day was bright, clear and very windy. The wind was a bit much, but not enough to steal a beautiful day with the girls. We haven't had much time together lately and an adventure was definitely in order!
Sweet Hubs has wanted to visit the National Museum of Transportation for as long as I can remember, we've just never gone. So when our girl suggested we go for our day of adventure, it sounded absolutely perfect! And the day didn't disappoint.
I am not at all sure which one of the kids had a better time. The littlest one or the Hubs. I am almost tempted to say the Hubs. But it was close. They both climbed in and out of every train that was open, trying out seats, looking into open areas, opening a few closets and surprised at finding a few potties. The baby holding her nose and saying phew might have been one of the highlights of my day.
We rode the trolley and the mini-train and giggled in the swirling leaves. We walked in the sunshine, we laughed and giggled. The sweet baby dragon suckered her Papa into a doll that she evidently remembered from her visit before. I mean how do you say no to a sweet cherub sporting long mermaid colored hair saying please? Definitely takes a tougher man than Hubs.
Family has always been important to us both. Yet way too often life has gotten in the way of that. This year has definitely taught us to shift priorities. This year has been extremely long and far too short at the same time. Time has felt fluid in a way I don't recall ever experiencing before in my life.
The beginning of the year feels so very long ago. I can barely remember January or February. And yet here we are so close to Thanksgiving it is surreal. Tonight as I strolled through the craft store this evening, picking up a few things I need to complete gifts and looked at the shelves blanketed in Christmas cheer, it felt odd, disconnected. Is it even possible that we are that close to the end of this year?
Walking along the paths watching the oldest and youngest wrapped up in the joy of the moment and exploring the trains we started chatting about taking the River Runner a train journey across Missouri. I think it will happen before the year is out. We have vacation time to burn. It sounds like a great way to explore and spend some time together as a family.
We're enjoying family time this year, ironically. The lock down of the early part of the year had made both of us very aware of how precious family is, we've traveled to spend time with those we have missed. Many miles in some cases, just a few short miles in others. We've spent time exploring incredible gifts that came as a result of great loss. Sometimes when life is too large we take chances to find truths. Sometimes those truths find us, in their own time.
Cherish the moments. Living in fear steals far too much. The past year or so has brought many gifts to our lives. Far more gifts than losses. Although the losses have been painful too. But not living in fear and darkness has brought us great joys as well. We miss the boy, we miss his girl, we miss those no longer part of our lives. This year will end, who knows if we will ever become anything like we were. We know we will see those two... soon we hope. We will just find different ways to make the long distant memories.
The random hugs, the impish grins, the long text messages and unexpected phone calls.... those lead to more... look for the more. Make the memories, wear the wig, dye your hair, climb the "forbidden" ladder, laugh, giggle and always continue to look for more....
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