New York

Just back from a wonderful trip to New York with the family. It had been way too long since we had been on a vacation. We saw the sights, did lots of shopping (Bob was a very good sport), visited museums, and dined a number of great spots. We stayed at the Waldorf (thank you Priceline) which was terrific...old world service and luxaries.

Underneath all this, our family had a chance to just have fun. This was oh so good!

* Walking through Central Park
* The Met...one of my favorite places on earth
* A fantastic dinner at a way cool loft looking Italian place
* People watching in the lobby
* Seeing Mamma Mia with Katie our budding actress. Bob and Mary saw Rent.
* Taking a rest with Mary listening to her IPod and girl talking
* The bathtub in the room...it was huge. I love old bathtubs!
* Spending time with Bob without the everyday stressors
* The Central Park Zoo...the girls humored me by going. Mary and I often went to this great little zoo when she was little. It was bittersweet to walk through the exhibits with her now at 18.

Both girls enjoyed the trip. Katie(9) was born in New York. We moved when she was 6 weeks old. She was so excited to visit her birth place. Mary loves the City and it was great to revisit so many places with wonderful memories.

For Bob and I our life has tossed and turned these past 10 years since we left New York. It has been a windy path with some sudden sharp turns. There was soemthing very grounding about revisiting some of our shared history. We arrived in New York at 28 years old with Bob taking a job way too big for someone that age. We play acted in fancy suits, the Junior League, a nanny, etc.. It was a great experience, one I wouldn't trade and one that we outgrew. When we left New York, we quietly began moving away from the fantasy of a rich, cushy life. We wanted more for ourselves than that. Honestly, we have gotten much more.

We have learned to share family responsibities and income earning. We have taken risks and made mistakes. We have taken a messier and richer path.

Now we are at another inflection in that path, there is a certain emptiness. A child soon leaving home. No real plan in place for either of us. Another child about to enter adolescence. The emptiness isn't bad. It is more like something waiting to emerge. We have often held to plans so tightly that life couldn't emerge. I am excited and scared of what will show up on the horizon.

One of the realities I am starting to embrace is that it really is all a journey. There is no destination. The trick is to be open to the sharp and sudden turns. Catch your breath. Love those in your life from with deep compassion. Wake up with wonder.

So this vacation was renewing and provided some perspecitve afer 5 very difficult months. Friday I am headed to LA to go to a spa with my sister in law. This seems like a perfect end to a fantastic week!