Returning

About a year ago we took my daughter Erin out to dinner 

in her neighborhood in Washington DC,

to celebrate and say goodbye 

before she headed off to Brussels Belgium  to do a one year stint as 

Campaign Manager for ONE.

I remember saying to her 

"This year is going to fly bye, so try to enjoy it."

Well, I was wrong.

It didn't really go that fast for her parents

if you know what I mean.

Her living in Brussels

gave my wife and I the excuse for a road trip,

and that will be a trip not soon forgotten.

She did her time,

the gig is up and this Thursday

she arrives back in the States.

I remember years ago as a parent

taking those family vacations.

Those brutal 24 hour road trips to Florida in a mini van with 3 young girls

 had me fantasizing at times about when we would be able to take a trip,

adults only.

Now, with my girls grown and on their own

I think about when the next time will be where we can all be in the same room together.

It doesn't happen much any more.

The last time that happened was 9 months ago, 

when we all met up for the Christmas holidays on a beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico.

When we're all together it's usually a subdued gathering

with serious talk about serious issues,

something like this.

and this......

This Thanksgiving will be the next time we all get together

in one place to solve the problems of the world.

Serious conversations will be held,

something like this.