21 years ago today

I walked around our Miami neighborhood on a late November morning, the raindrops gently washing over me.

"This is the day our daughter will be born," I knew in my heart. I wanted to hurry her along so I walked.

When the drizzle turned to rain, I walked around the pool, partly sheltered by the screened enclosure.

When darkness fell, I walked around the house.

Suddenly, the leisurely day turned rushed. Quick, we need to go, I told Jeff as he fumbled for my shoes. Forget the shoes! I wore shoes all day, walking with my daughter.  I laid on the back seat of the minivan - no shoes necessary - went from the minivan to a wheelchair - from the wheelchair straight to the delivery room. Moments later, Katie entered the world.

Eighteen months later, we moved to Hinsdale. When I told Katie she was born in Miami, she heard me say "my ami".  If anyone asked Katie where she was born, she would sweetly reply, "In Mommy's Amy."  Pretty smart for a little one!

Twenty one seasons have passed since that rainy November 29th in Miami when we walked as one. Katie learned to walk alone early and has been on the go ever since.

Every story has a beginning, middle and ending. This is Katie's beginning, she's nowhere near the middle and it's way too soon to know the ending. Still, turning 21 is a milestone, the passage into adulthood and a time to be celebrated. A time to walk together and a time to run like the wind in new directions.

Scenes from our Road Trip

We left home midday on Thursday, November 18 with Ozzie nestled amid piles of stuff...again. First stop - St. Louis to see Susan and Steve before heading out on Friday for a mostly flat drive through Missouri and the center of Kansas. We reached Pueblo, Colorado by nightfall and decided to stop so we could enjoy the mountain scenery by day. Saturday was a great sightseeing day through Durango, Four Corners and Flagstaff, where we had dinner with Katie, Meg and Kendra. We left Flag just as the wind and freezing rain started making the trip down the mountain difficult until we reached calmer weather.  Arrived at home in Phoenix around midnight. 

Four Corners 

San Francisco Peaks - Flagstaff

Ready to go

Ozzie is making sure that we don't leave Hinsdale without him this time. He remembers all the overnights we spent at the farm this summer - without him. And the week in California - without him.

Ozzie wants to go with us, can't you tell. He doesn't know now that his life will revert from a wandering outdoor cat back to one that lives on a leash in a fenced backyard. This may be the year he learns to walk on the leash with me.

March of the Santas

They were all packed up ready to go to Phoenix when Nick dropped a bombshell on my holiday planning.

"They're creepy," he said about my Santas. "Did you ever see the movie 'Chucky'? And what about 'Toy Story'?"

I was surprised by his response. Like the time he was upset that we took down the wallpaper in the kids' bathroom. I don't know who Chucky is and I don't remember Toy Story being particularly threatening, but maybe just the idea of dolls coming to life is scary for kids. Or boys. I think Katie would have been happy to have her Kukla doll come to life. And she likes my Santa collection. They don't creep her out.

"They just stare out the window, looking creepy," Nick repeated. They actually stand in front of the window, staring at us, which may be worse. 

Jake said the same thing about the dolls in the guest room. So I put them away and wondered how many other guests thought that. Nobody ever said anything about the odd collection that included two of my childhood dolls and two from Jeff's grandma. I'll admit the flamenco dancer was a little scary, but she was given to us after abuelita passed away at 100. 

"Just bring three Santas," Nick suggested. Sure, that's easy for him to say. Which three!? That's like a mother deciding which child to take on a special trip. If I have to choose between lots of inanimate jolly old St. Nick's and my Nick, the decision is easy. Packed away they stay.     

19-57-80

It could be a lock combination. A math equation or the ages of three relatives celebrating their birthday together. Jeff and Uncle Palmer share a Veteran's Day birthday. Teresa was born a few days earlier and many years later.

This isn't the first time Jeff and Palmer celebrated their birthdays together. There was Palmer's 75th in Battle Creek. Then there was Jeff's 50th in Las Vegas. He won't have another milestone birthday for three years (yikes - 60?!), but next year's infamous birthday date 11-11-11 seems like reason enough to return to Vegas or maybe even somewhere more exotic. 

Las Vegas 2003

Does God speak through fortune cookies?

Autumn has spent her grandeur. The trees are shedding the last of their golden leaves. The days are getting shorter. The cold morning air lingers a bit longer. Which means it's time for us to pack up and head to Phoenix. To family. To friends. To warmer weather. My heart says, "Yes". My heart says, "No".  So much to gain, so much to leave behind. I asked God to give me direction. I cracked open a fortune cookie, and there, expressed in God's infinite humor, was a message about travelling to the west. 


The Israelites were guided out of Egypt by a pillar of cloud to guide them by day and a pillar of fire to give them light at night. This being modern times, I would expect a less obvious sign, but does a fortune cookie count?