Dear Spencer and Dylan,

At some unpredictable moment in the future life will kick you in the gut. It will do so in a way that will be so shocking and with such force that it will literally knock the air out of you.

An irony of parenting is that I cannot stop this from happening. In fact, I may even see it coming but you won’t heed my warnings. Of course, as life often likes to do it may take us both by surprise.   

I know you hate when I do this, forecast your future. You see my cautions as control, an enforcement of my fears. Perhaps, that is true. You see before you were you, there was only the possibility of you. A loose thread of an idea between your father and I that perhaps this love we shared could grow. An idea that once it took hold ensured that any contentment with an existence that didn’t include you would be impossible. How happy we were when the possibility of you became a reality so quickly, but then almost as quickly that reality changed. Three possibilities came and went. Doctors followed. Tests. No explanations. That was my moment. My unpredictable kick in the gut. 

But now you are standing beside me almost but not yet a man. We are watching the sunset on The Three Sisters Mountain Range, aptly named such for their snow capped peaks resemblance to praying nuns. The tallest peak representing Faith, the middle Charity and the smallest Hope. Here’s the another thing you hate. How I search for meaning behind, in, and around virtually everything. Especially when it relates to you. 

But there is meaning to this moment and it brings me to another predication about your future. Be patient, please. I am nearing my point. When life gives you that kick there’s no way to prepare. It may knock you down, push you nearly to your breaking point. But you will not break. You will survive. Humans are bendable. Survival isn’t the test. After, that is the true measure of your fortitude. Some people get stuck in survival mode. Long after the kick in the gut has come and gone they continue to fight. While others retreat permanently afraid of the unpredictability of life. Get to after. You see you live on a vast, diverse, terrifying and wonderous planet and if you let it life will offer you countless unpredictable moments. Some will leave you breathless and close to broken but more (oh, so many more) will leave you awe-struck, bring you love, riches in friends and laughter and unimaginable joy. 

Life is made up of a thousand big and little befores and afters. Each with their own set of possibilities. The possibility of this moment, the sharing of this magnificent sunset was once impossible. But here we are. You and me and The Three Sisters. All it took was a little Faith, Charity, and Hope.

Love Mom

Until Next Time, Happy Camping

We saw our first bear today. Okay, our first non-zoo or circus bear. It was a big black bear. He looked hungry but then all bears look hungry to me. 

It’s true I am afraid of bears. Some people think that fact is hilarious. Mostly close friends and family – you know those who theoretically should be most supportive. Unless, I am confused and “support” is actually defined as repetitively posting pictures of snarling bears with comments like “Watch out for the bears, Tanya” “LOL”. No one laughs out loud around bears. I’ve covered this in previous blogs. Bears aren’t funny. Apex predators don’t LOL.

A friend from work happens to be from Canada. He knew I was nervous about the bears and as thoughtful Canadians are prone to do he got me a “gift”. A bear bell.  Thanks, Sam, now they will know dinner is coming.  

Sam, is also the one who left me with two critical parting words of wisdom. Words that loop through my brain again and again with every snapped branch or rustling of bushes. First, bears are not like squirrels. I think this was meant to comfort me. Remind me that bears aren’t lurking around every corner and as it turns out Sam is correct. Thus far, I have not seen one squirrel. Second (my favorite advice of all time) that I should definitely not be worried about the bears. After all it’s the Pumas you need to worry about, you’ll never see those coming. 

LOL? 

Occasionally, one can spend so much time in a virtual world that it is easy to forget the actual real and often breathtaking beauty that nature provides. After countless family trips to theme parks (where the only thing that is real is the second mortgage needed to pay for the visit) and an unfortunate bowling incident where our boys bypassed the bowling balls in search of the Wii remote, we have set out to find intentionally real family traveling experiences. 

While we haven’t achieved globetrotting status yet (working on that though) we have been fortunate to stack up some memorable family experiences. A bank robbery in Charleston, Surf Kayaking in Savannah, man in boxers versus angry raccoons in South Carolina, perfect star gazing in Shenandoah National Park, live Jazz at Perservation Hall in NOLA, and whitewater rafting in Nantahala National Forest remain a few of the most memorable.

Now that everyone in the family has a passport I was eager to travel abroad this summer. Dylan suggested we travel to visit “his people, in the land of majestic red hair” otherwise known as Ireland. Spencer will go anywhere that features activities that could kill him and/or put me in a mental hospital with worry. Think BASE Jumping in Switzerland or Running of The Bulls in Pamplona. Scott (just like me) is pretty much game for any location, but with one exception. While I search out amazing experiences in a breathtaking landscape he hunts a deal and if he can work in a road trip to torture his wife that helps as well.

Somehow we managed to tick off most of everyone’s wish list (including deals and a road trip) ultimately settling on a week in the Canadian Rockies including Banff and Jasper National Parks, and a week in enjoying the rugged Pacific Coast beauty of Vancouver Island, and few days in Seattle for a little food, family, friends and finally a work conference. 

So, here we go. The passports are packed. My Pinterest board is sufficiently full of breathtaking vista views and we are ready for next “real” adventure. Our expectations for a trip of a lifetime are high, let’s hope not too high.

Not What We Expected

We are here. Held briefly at the border crossing while they searched the rental and Scott nervously answered their questions. Dylan thinks they wanted our muffins. Spencer just thought it was cool that he could add “searched by border patrol” to his resume of adventures. 

Now, we are driving down the Trans-Canadian Highway, speechless. Nothing looks like what we saw online. Everywhere you look is another sweeping breathtaking view. The landscape is so much more…

Unable to articulate in words I will leave it at Dylan’s description. It really is like being trapped in a Bob Ross painting.

Oh, for those of you concerned that Dylan’s vacation wish was not met, while not among “his people of the majestic red hair” he has garnered an odd amount of attention from the locals and other tourists. “It’s a red head thing, mom.”

Until next time, happy camping.