Family & Mountains

We're leaving in a few moments for Asheville to see Vicki's father & grandmother. It's a long trip, but not so long that we can't do up and back in a day. It also tends to be an uncomfortable trip, with different family dynamics working against trying to really connect. The kids are old enough to entertain themselves in the car, and when we get there we'll take some games and books in for them, too. Meanwhile, we'll field questions about not coming up more often, why can't we stay longer, wish we didn't have to leave so soon.

It's not a bad day, just exasperating - anxiety building before we leave, tediously long but scenic drive through the foothills into the mountains, and then just sitting and eating lunch and talking before packing back into the car for the return trip. I wish it could be more, and I know that it can be - if other family members come to visit while we're there it livens up a bit, and if there's opportunity to talk about more than why we don't come up more often, then we can usually sorta kinda enjoy our brief stay. In those moments, we start to ask ourselves: why don't we come up more often?

Pray for us today: safe trip, loving & productive time together, and relief & release on the way home this evening. Thanks.

UPDATE: Twelve hours later and we're home safe. It was an okay trip, a little stressful with all the drama her dad's going through. But my sweetie is a trooper - firm and honest, wanting the best for her dad, for him to get well from M.S. and from his addictions. And our kids were SUPER. All in all, could've been way worse, and we survived for the better.