On Tuesday we begin the two-day journey back to Totem. It’s time. It’s past time. Here’s how we’re sure:
- The socks are on, and we’re not talking about Boston
- Nobody needs this many potato chip options
- 60 is the new 80 (temperature at which teens put on pants/hoodies)
- No longer accidentally calling bathroom “the head”
- Now nostalgically referring to guest bedroom as “our cabin”
- Explained ourselves one too many times
- Swerving to avoid catastrophe on the road one too many times
- Bathroom scale is new nemesis (need to put a halt to the pound-per-week plan)
- Gone out for Mexican food twice in a week
- Confirmed: Niall is thriving in college
Our girls with Niall and his classmates at dinner near Lewis & Clark College in Portland
We’ve all been homesick for Totem, but our desire to get back to this homespace has become sharply present this week. Three times in the last two days our family narrowly evaded catastrophic road accidents. First, an 18-wheeler tried to change lanes directly into our vehicle while barreling down the highway in dumping rain. ABS brakes for the win, because I’m pretty sure it’s the only reason we didn’t end up in the ditch. Second: a car that lost control careening down on a slick hillside toward us in Portland, stopping within a few feet of a head-on collision as the terrified face of the driver gripped the wheel while sliding towards us at speed. Third, the failur of a windshield wiper which jammed up both wipers and left us with severely limited visibility: we pressed in darkness and downpour and insufficient pulloff shoulder for three miles before a highway exit ramp to work out a fix.
Those left me breathless, but people say what WE do is dangerous! We’ll take our salty life, thank you. Jamie and I compared notes over a roadside diner dinner once the wipers were replaced, grimly noting we’d each tried not to be superstitious but had a modicum of relief after the third event was safely in hindsight. Things come in threes, right?
This list of signs it’s time for us to go home evolved from a punchy road trip brainstorm. In truth the real kicker for us was that trip to see Niall, and to see how well settled he is: a transition made, from sea to land, from homeschool to formal school, nomad kid to planted young man. We’ll still be counting down until his winter break visit!
Last chance: personalized copies of Voyaging with Kids!
The response to last week’s offer for an inscribed copy of Voyaging with Kids was overwhelming: I actually ran out of books! I didn’t want to turn down this opportunity for personalized books, so publisher Lin Pardey made sure that another case was sent out. That means I could fulfill all the requests, and I have a few more! If you’d like one for yourself, or a special gift, let me know… but do it today, I’m shipping before we head south of the border. Cost including US shipping is $30.
I’m hoping for a last
