So, tonight was the last and final update for all the important things we needed to know about Christina’s upcoming trip to Washington, D.C.  I’m very excited for her, though part of me feels like we’re missing out on the experience she’s about to have.

With all the rules, regulations, and requirements whizzing by, I was curiously disinterested and trying to picture my daughter’s reaction to all these historical and significant places.  I suppose it’s like this sometimes as a parent.  We can’t always see and experience these moments with our kids, and that’s part of the process for them to grow up and be independent, but something about that wonderment, awe, and excitement is such an amazing thing to see in their eyes…I wish we could be there, if only as observers.

Talking to Christina tonight, she’s a little nervous at the prospect of being an airplane trip away from home, but I did my best to point out all the things that will be cool about doing something like this with her friends and arguably one of the most engaging history teachers I’ve ever seen.  It’s strange how we can shift into a different mindset when others need reassurance.  Even if I had reservations, the minute she was worried, my stuff just didn’t matter.  She asked if my work phone should be on the contact list (on top of my cell phone), at which point I reminded her that the cell phone will probably be in front of my face the entire time she is away.  That seemed to help.  That and a few observations that gave her a laugh, but aren’t appropriate to share here… 🙂

We’re now one step farther in a long list of things undergoing transition right now.  Overall, I hope she takes a ton of pictures and they make a lot of memories that she’ll cherish for a long time.  Times like this feel very bittersweet, but I know we have to let go and be open to possibility… in the meantime, fingers crossed, prayers offered, candles lit, and weather channel soon to be under intense review, hoping they have sun and some decent temperatures for the visit.

-CJG 02/04/2014