Beyond Bringing Up Boys

14 years ago, David and I were in the process of moving from Florida (where David had taught 8th grade for 1 year at Hobe Sound) to Indiana, Pennsylvania for David to begin grad school. Leaving our belongings in Pennsylvania (we were still unsure of where we would be living) we drove to Illinois to see David's parents. Over lunch, the conversation led to places like the Black Hills and Rocky Mountains. When David's dad discovered that I had never been there, he was determined that we should go--the next day. 14 years and 3 boys later, here we were in the same places (sans the Rocky Mountains) we had visited then. With age comes perspective, I guess, but the awareness and uncertain future of Don's health, gave to us a sense of clinging to each present moment and yet, in the midst of that, looking back into time. And I'm not sure any of us were ready to return. Because to return was to re-enter reality and another bone marrow biopsy for Don. In spite, our trip back w...

It was just about 4 hours, as I remember from Aunt Bev's to Keystone, South Dakota. Don had given me a column that he actually asked me to read aloud -- Dave Barry: "A journey into my colon -- and yours." Read it here , if you wish, but not aloud and definitely not in front of your in-laws. We all laughed until we cried, I think. Then we stopped at a Pizza Hut where a WHOLE pitcher of ice cold water was accidently poured on one end of the table. Not much laughing at all. Except from those of us who didn't get wet and I was one of those. It was after dark when we stopped in Oelrichs, SD, to see a church where Grandpa and Grandma Balty pastored when Don was still at home. I had found our hotel online and was a bit apprehensive about the accomodations. I was not disappointed, the rooms were more than comfortable and the side view of Mt Rushmore from our rooms was beautiful. Breakfast in the mornings was served in the lodge and everything from bagels and toast to f...

Fortunately our van trouble delayed our trip very little. We had stopped again in Alma, NE for a restroom break when David noticed that the battery display light was on. His dad knew immediately that it was the alternator. There was a garage next to the gas station that confirmed his suspicions. We drove about 1/2 mile to a brand new motel that had accomodations so we unloaded the van. Since our van would not start again, the desk clerk offered to let us use her car to drive to a local diner, named "Buzbees." We had a decent meal and only felt out of place because we were not in overalls! The garage offered to come tow the van to the garage in the morning and the alternator was replaced and we were back on the road no later than mid-morning. Our distance goal of the day was to reach Scottsbluff, NE, where the Balty's lived for many years. Not only were we looking forward to going to Scottsbluff National Monument and visiting places of family interest, we were also ...

David's parents are wonderful grandparents but it was with no little fear and trepidation that I was convinced to take my active boys on a loonnnnng road trip with grandparents who are not accustomed to having children around. But they insisted that we bring the boys and David and I couldn't imagine being away from them for too long so we loaded into a gas-guzzling conversion van (preferred because of much needed s p a c e) and began our trip on Monday, June 16. We left late in the afternoon that Monday and only went as far as Peoria, IL, to spend the first night. Interstate 80 was closed in Iowa due to the extreme flooding so we began our trip west by going southeast! We had breakfast together at the motel the next morning and headed west making it all the way to Kansas City. North Central Kansas was our intended first stop to visit many places of family significance. From parsonage and farmhouse, Don and Glenda came respectively, and we enjoyed every m...

David returned to school today and although his students won't return until Friday, summer is officially over for us! Soon our normal routine will begin but our summer trip will be remembered for years to come. We left Georgia on the afternoon of June 13th (our 16th anniversary!) and traveled to Nashville the first night. We were able to squeeze in a quick lunch with some of our friends in Louisville the next day. Our boys were thrilled to see some of their friends (we kept it a secret until the last minute). We met at a McDonalds playspace so all the kids could play...unfortunately, the adults couldn't hear themselves think...but the kids had a great time! After lunch, we went to Alexandria, IN, and stayed at a B&B near Woodland Family Camp. David's sister, Lisa, was planning to be there too, and we were all looking forward to seeing her. My boys had never been to a church camp before and were uncertain as to what to expect. The Sunday morning message was opened by ...