Vacation Poem and Reflections

"Granana, do you think we will ever take that vacation again?"

I was tucking 9 year-old Thomas into bed at home after our road trip that had taken him, his two brothers Ben (14) and Danny (10), me and Michael to Williamsburg, 

zip lining in Fayetteville, NC, a tour of the Special Ops museum there, a sterling visit with Aunt Lisa and Uncle Dean Lofthouse, miniature golfing, one day in the Magic Kingdom, 

to the Atlantic for a swim with Lee Ann and Collin Spillane and back home to DC, all in a week.  A whirlwind by any definition.

"No, Thomas. Sweetie, the world doesn't work that way. Even if we went to all the same places next year, it wouldn't be the same.  All we can do is remember it for all that it was and all the fun we had."

VACATION

Vacation

takes me places,

where

I can't ever say

I've never been

before

again.

And when a place is

different, I am

different too.

I can look outside

and in

and still enjoy

the view.

Home is

only one place

here,

I am surrounded by the same,

expected to wear certain brands

and always act my name.

Vacation

takes me places,

there

I shop for the unknown.

Try on something new.

Pocket the change,
and bring it home.