The winding road

 Trip to Texas to see specialist 

Traveling. I recall road trips as a child and I tell you they were fun. I had no idea what it took my parents to get ready and plan the whole thing. As a kid you have that freedom of not being responsible for much. The general order of things at the Goodly household

✅travel at night

  -my parents worked during the day, and this allowed for us to sleep without the dreaded ‘are we there yet?’ every few feet on the highway.

  -did you realize traveling at night meant less bathroom breaks as well

✅dad did the driving

✅mom packed all of me and my sister’s stuff

  -all in one suit case, carefully organized in those bags your sheets or some other item in your house came in 😏

✅all of bickering of who is taking up too much room

 -always my sister

It seemed only right that soon after learning our family was expanding that travel arrangements would have to be adjusted. Many of you all know that we have family in Haiti and Honduras. Now God bless the families who travel internationally all the time or on occasion. I just don’t think I would be able to handle it. So I talked to Elvin about the possibility of doing road trips. My family only did the south, and not much of it. In my head I was all: let’s get an RV and go to the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, drive through the state of Texas 😆!

In the past week, it was decided that maybe getting some time just us and the kids. I have shared how well my children are handling the loss of their baby brother. They often speak about brother dying and being with Jesus, that we don’t have to be sad. 

Elvin and I were able to travel twice to Houston with just Mac, but not for pleasure, doctor appointments. So I’m currently in the front seat, of a fairly filled vehicle feeling like Mrs. McCallister from Home Alone, did I forget something. 

There is a void in all the things and little precious cargos we are carrying in this vehicle. My heart longs to know how would it be if Emerson was still with us, healed up and enjoying the antics of his siblings. Funny thing is when all three were in the vehicle, it was surprisingly calm. Lots of laughter, no bickering. 

So many things will be different, now that we are 4. I’m so blessed to know that not just us as Emerson’s parents miss and love him, but even the young hearts of his siblings. 

Jesus, we give you glory, honor and praise. May you allow us to miss Emerson and know that this change in season, though there may be hard days, that you go before us each day. Allow me to enjoy my children and share with them your word so that they know the promise of one day being before you in heaven is very real. Remind me to not take for granted each breath. In Jesus name, amen