“We’re going to Neb-ras-ka!” my son sings as he literally bounces down the stairs with heartfelt enthusiasm. I had to smile since Nebraska is not exactly Disneyworld, but we were embarking a road trip and that was reason enough to be excited. I remember feeling the same glee over approaching vacations as a child. We rarely embarked on vacations because my father was and is a workaholic. He never felt that he could justify the time away, and my mother never pushed too hard to persuade him otherwise. Nonetheless, we took some amazing family trips to places like Idaho, South Dakota, and Wyoming so road trips have a special place in my heart.
I remember as a child climbing into the Volvo station wagon with my siblings, and immediately pulling out the “car toys” that my mom had purchased specifically for the trip. To this day thinking of that alone brings a smile to my face. Once we got on the road, I would begin envisioning my exact order at McDonald’s, which was always part of our family road trip experience. It was a treat after all, and I took full advantage of it by ordering a full meal and a cherry pie or ice cream cone or whatever else struck my fancy. It was pure bliss!
But back to our road trip to Nebraska: As we meandered our way out of the city, past the congested traffic, and made our way East, I worried about the drive and the next few days. I knew my children would have fun, but I was less convinced about the thrill of a long car ride, potential sleepless nights, and my restless toddlers. We finally arrived to a pristine blue sky – not a cloud in sight – with temperatures in the low 80s and a refreshing light breeze. The gang was waiting for us in the pool. I have to admit, it was picture perfect.
Over the next few days, I grew to truly appreciate the prairie and Nebraska: The expansive landscape, crisp clean air, tall grass, and the calm surroundings. I marveled at the relaxed cows grazing in the pasture and the overall sincerity of the plains. It was exactly what my children needed. In truth, it was exactly what I needed.
My children spent the entire time - day and night - outside. They played in the pool, ran around the spacious yard with their shoes off, chased chickens, swung lazily on the swing sets and giggled almost constantly with their cousins. Their cousins range in age, but they are remarkable individuals. They’re polite, sweet, and took incredible care of all of their little cousins. Really, all pre-teens and teenagers should be so great! It was a delight to watch them interact.
One evening as the sun began to set, I sat on the porch watching my son climb the play-set for the one hundredth time that day. Right at that moment, the gentle rays of the sun landed squarely on his face and perfectly reflected his gaze, and I saw one of the most beautiful things a parent can see on their children’s face: genuine contentment. Now that is what I call paradise. Maybe Nebraska is a better vacation destination than I thought. Maybe it is less about the destination and much more about the company you keep. After all, the best thing that life has to offer is the love of family, and I’m fortunate that my family is second to none.
Embrace Your MOMentum
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