We Get To Go To Denver!

VACATION!!

ROAD TRIP!!!

ENTIRE FAMILY TOGETHER!!!!

Yeah...I know.....You get it....the Clan is on the road, heading to Denver. A break from school for Sue, a break from IOP for Tom and a break from work for me. We are all, finally, taking a vacation together. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am. I am beside myself, giddy. I will be like that little pig-kid on the commercial, hanging out the windows and sunroof yelling "Weeee!!! Weeeeeee!!!"

We have all been worried about this. Tom has not been in a good place for several days. Sue has been exhausted and frustrated. And I have been spanning the breach and saying prayers to the Universe to help me heal my family. But we have had 2 really GOOD days. Tom seems good...good in a solid way, not wobbly. And when he is good, we are all better, stronger, saner.

And now I get to meet the grand baby! If you all remember, the last 2 trips they made to Denver, I had to work. I have met Sue's grandson via emailed pictures and videos. I have sent goodies to this little man and have been dying to meet him in person. And of course, I will get to spend time with Sue's son, daughter-in-law, daughter and all of their numerous critters.

We are driving. Two day's to get there, two days there, and two days to get home. I am leaving my house cluttered and the floors undone because, dammit, I AM ON VACATION! I can clean when we get home.

We will leave extra food and water for the cats. Both have survived being home alone while we have taken off. And I can tell Pranzer Clawz knows we are leaving, because he is especially "needy". Needs to lay on my, not beside me. Is following me all over the house. Slept close last night. I will leave a piece of laundry on the bed, so he has something that smells like me and he will ignore me mightily when I return. But he will be fine and so will Princess Callie Tu-Tu.

Our family needs this time alone desperately. We need the time to reconnect. We need the time away from all of the professionals, volunteers, classes, therapies, and well-meaning people who haven't a clue. My fervent hope is that we will come back stronger and good and together in a way we haven't been for months.

You all know our story with the herons. Well, we have not seen a heron on our pond so far this year, and they are usually back in early March. Oh, we saw one fly over last week, but nobody landed.....Yesterday, we all got home from our various jobs and appointments and were sitting around talking about our days.....and 'lo and behold......a heron landed across the pond. It looked right at our condos, as if to say "Well, you are still here and so am I. All is well."

And, today, all IS well. We are packing and planning and getting ready to see Sue's beloved mountains and family. I couldn't be happier.

T