Road Trip for Love

Family Time

It's been five months since Barb and I traveled to Indiana to see our loved ones on both sides of the family tree. We drove back in May because the chronic cough that's stayed with Barb and other long-term COVID issues would make flying less than ideal. Her cough (a stubborn pest) persists so it's time to pack up the vehicle once again for the trip from Colorado back to the Midwest.

It becomes a project of love because the seven-day excursion translates into only three days of visiting. While four days of driving for three days of face-to-face time doesn't rank high on the efficiency scale, it makes perfect sense when love enters the equation. I love Barb enough to choose driving over flying to sidestep airplane passengers worrying if her never-ending coughing is a threat, and I love Mom enough that I'd drive the four days for only one day filled with her hugs and laughter.

My faith and my family are my two greatest loves. Barb and Mom make it easy. I hit the jackpot with those two.

"In marriage do thou be wise: prefer the person before money, virtue before beauty, the mind before the body; then thou hast a wife, a friend, a companion, a second self." 

-William Penn

I believe in the strength and intelligence and sensitivity of women. My mother, my sister are strong. My mum is a strong woman and I love her for it." 

-Tom Hiddleston

I am blessed by my wife, Mom, sister, daughter, and aunt. All are strong dynamic women. And the best gift of all is they love me as much as I love them.

Hitting the Highway

The Jeep is loaded with luggage and early Christmas gifts for our two moms, tissues for Barb, and a hefty supply of Diet Pepsi in my collapsible cooler always within reach in the back seat. 

The trip should take 16-17 hours and we will split it into two days so we can explore and take our time. I have always enjoyed the one-on-one time with Barb so I'm looking forward to every mile.

After running into both during our May trip along the same route, we encountered smooth sailing with light traffic and no harsh weather. Barb and I enjoyed the early changing of leaf colors and the giant wind turbines along the way.

Lots of construction slowed our journey, especially when passing through Kansas and Nebraska. Those one-lane-only stretches added about an hour to our travel time, but eventually, we made it to our prearranged stop for the night in Lincoln. We decided to reserve a room at the Graduate Hotel in the revitalized Haymarket area. There are locations in several cities that boast a college-type theme. Even the room keys resembled student IDs. 

We dined at the onsite restaurant, got some sleep, and hit the road early for the second leg of our journey.

One of our traditions is to find unique places to dine when we can rather than relying on national chain restaurants to fuel our bodies. Luck was on our side as we found Jethro's BBQ in Des Moines, Iowa. It was featured on the Man vs Food television show, complete with a hard-to-finish food challenge. Just the kind of place we search for.

With the Jeep and ourselves both refueled, we got back on the highway headed for South Bend, Indiana.

Construction caused delays again in the Chicago area, but we made our way through the stops and starts and eventually arrived at the Four Winds in South Bend. We had two nights free, so we wanted to take advantage of the offer to help stretch the budget.

They gave us a junior suite and we were incredibly pleased with the room and amenities. I think the bathroom was bigger than my first apartment many years ago.

After putting our things away and freshening up we headed downstairs looking for a place to eat. There is a half-dozen options on site, but we decided to try the Kankakee Grill. It turned out to be an excellent choice. Who knew that Barb would finally find a good lobster roll in the Midwest?

After enjoying a nice morning shower, it's time to see family. I drop off Barb at her sister's house which is only about 5 minutes from the hotel, then drive the 30 minutes to Mom's apartment.

Showing Mom Appreciation

Although a mom's love is responsible for a substantial portion of our emotional and psychological development, it's sometimes easy to take them for granted.

A mother's love is the foundation used throughout life and I believe we must find ways to display how we feel about what they've done for us. 

Here are some ways to show mom how much she means to you:

• Show her love and respect. Be kind, loving, understanding.
• Be helpful. Run some errands. Help around the house.
• Tell her. When she does something, or just because.
• Write it down. Put your thoughts in a card, letter, or text.
• Give a thoughtful gift. Money isn't the point. The thought is.
• Surprise her. Some flowers, Starbucks, or unplanned visits.
• Spend time with her. Nothing is more precious than the gift of time.

These are just a few of the ways to display your appreciation to your mom for all she does and means to you. Remember, it's as important how you do something as it is what you do. I'm looking forward to time with my Mom to do some of those things.

I got to spend 3 solid days with my Mom. It was such a joy for me. Some of you get to see your mom daily or weekly. I am envious but thankful for every moment with her when I visit.

Mom is 84 years old, and reminiscing takes on a new level when her memories can fill the Library of Congress. 

We shared conversations about:

*Faith and our relationships with God. It moved me when she cried discussing how she talks with Jesus.

*Family. About her raising five children and how much she loves each one with passion.

*Ministry. We talked about her time working in the ministry with my Aunt Diane who went home to be with the Lord earlier this year.

*Old movies and actors. We share a common love of the classics.

*Life. The gains and the pains. Triumphs and heartbreaks. The loss of Dad two years ago.

*Potpourri. Anything that came to mind. Politics, current affairs, and how we are both doing now.

We shared lunch each day. Barb joined us on day two and we all went shopping together to restock her pantry. And I diligently worked my way through all the Diet Pepsi she stocked up on before my arrival.

Mom, thank you for those precious three days together. Thank you for your strong faith and unconditional love. I am truly blessed to call you my mother. I love you from the bottom of my heart. 

Barb and I would regroup each night to spend quality time together as a couple. On night two we tried another one of the onsite restaurants at the Four Winds. This time it was the Copper Rock Steakhouse. Barb struck lobster gold again with Lobster Bisque to start and Lobster Pasta as her entree. We were once again pleased with our choices. 

On our final night before heading back to Colorado, we joined my sister and her husband for a couple's dinner. My sister owns a special place in my heart and her husband is one of the nicest people I've ever known. We work hard to make that dinner connection every time we visit the area.

We tried a Mexican restaurant we hadn't visited before that was next to our hotel. The food and service were average at best, but the time together was priceless to me. Their love is special, and they believe that they were meant to be together just as Barb and I do. 

Back to Colorado

Our time with family ended. After an early morning stop at Mom's to say goodbye, Barb and I were once again on the road. We encountered a brief rainstorm about an hour into our trip but avoided harsh weather the rest of the way.

Barb, thanks for being my co-pilot on this trip and in life. You are my love and my inspiration, and I look forward to future adventures together. There is nowhere that I would rather be than by your side. I love you, baby.

Final Thoughts

This post strays from my usual format of tips, steps, and ways for you to live your best life but it serves the core purpose of this blog. 

The Bible says that we are to honor our mother and father: 

• Exodus 20:12 - "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."

It is difficult to live the best life possible if we ignore the ones closest to us, be they spouses, siblings, or parents. 

Take a moment to be grateful for the loved ones in your life. I am blessed to have wonderful brothers, a sister, and a Mom that I treasure immensely. I appreciate my readers indulging me in this small chance to proclaim my gratitude publicly.

Reach out to someone close to you today and let them how much they mean to you. It's too late once they are gone.

Now go live your best life,

Dan