Thursday, July 10, 2008

Road trip- the rest of the story

Day 1
Day 2- Back for more
Day 3- Down on the farm
Day 4- Flooded waters, drowned plans
Day 5- Oh, keys! Where art thou?

Well, sort of the rest of the story. In short, the wedding was beautiful (or so I heard, I missed most of it because Reagan insisted on doing somersaults down the aisle). The reception was nice and elegant (Reagan thought so too. She tried real hard to take down the tulle and white twinkle lights so she could wrap them like a scarf). About 7:30pm we left the reception for the long road home. Apparently we left too early because the reception ended shortly after with wedding crashers, eight squad cars, and some of the bridal party getting into a fight with the crashers. Poor Jordan. It was all beautiful anyway.

The road home ended much as it started. There was a lot more adventure and drama, laughs and tears, and lots and lots of stops. But all of that is inconsequential to what I want my girls to remember about the trip. I want them to know that we had a good time. I want them to know that they had the opportunity to see family that loves them and cares about them very much. I want my girls to know how important family is and that sacrifices should be made to take an opportunity to see that family from time to time. I want my girls to know that should ANY family member be passing through their town, they should stop whatever they are doing and go meet said family member. I don't care if it is a fourth cousin twice removed and you don't even know their name. Family is that important. Go see them.

During our road trip, we took turns reading a book that my Grandma had recently given me. It is her autobiography with hundreds of pages of stories and photos. I am so grateful my Grandma went through all of the trouble to write that book. I will cherish it forever.

Grandma is one of 11 surviving children. She even has triplet brothers that were born in the early 40's. Can you imagine how rare that must have been to have triplets and to have them all survive? In the book, Grandma talks about a road trip they took. She says,


We took a trip in may. We went to Ohio to visit Mary and Bill. We had a big
old car, a Hudson, I think. Mom, Dad and Reno sat in the front seat (no seat
belts then). Dad put a bench in the center for Jim, John, Joe (the triplets),
and Ruth. Arnie, Joyce, Eileen and I sat in the back seat. We all took turns
holding Teresa who was only six months old. At their house we slept on the floor with pillows and blankets. We had a great and memorable trip.


They didn't have a mini van stocked with juice boxes, cookies, and a DVD player. They didn't have a hotel with beds and room service. During all of my stress and anxiety with crying kids, lost kids and keys, getting separated on elevators, getting separated on interstates, and getting detoured by floods, I forgot to stop and be grateful. Megan read that little passage to me while I was driving and in a moment I was changed. Grandma reminded us what it was all about.

So through all of the stories and the drama and adventure, girls, I want to you remember one thing, "We had a great and memorable trip."

22 comments:

Jill said...

I love roadtrips... my husband and girls? Not so much.

Glad to hear that you had great time.

Your grandmother wrote a book? Amazing - what fantastic memories you will keep!

Jen said...

That is so cool that your Grandma wrote a book for you. I recently lost my Grandma and I so wish that she would have done that. She used to tell us stories about like on a farm in Iowa. At least I have that but I am afraid that over time I will forget. How wonderful, a book.

Awesome that there were also triplets in her family. That must have been something else back then. Amazing!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Joanna said...

That's the wonderful thing about grandmothers, they always no just how to get the point home. She sounds like one heck of a lady.

-Bridget said...

That deleted comment was spam. It was some lowlife leaving an advertisement on bedroom furniture. I don't delete real comments people leave for me, I love them!

Deanna said...

Oh I love that you make family a priority. I do too and it just makes me sad when my husband's family doesn't feel the same way. Family... the thread that sews our life together.

Mountain Mom said...

I really love that your Grandma wrote a book about her life. While I adore my Grandma's efforts in putting the family history in writing, I feel there are a lot of great stories that are left out. Roadtrips are important and make for the best memories, especially those trips to see obscure relatives. Thanks for sharing your road trip story, Bridget! I loved it!

JenFen said...

It's like Paul Harvey - and now you have the rest of the story, which more often times than not is the REAL story. It's fun to read about lost keys and missing each other on elevators and I can only imagine how stressful and hectic it was at times, but I bet it was so very worth it and when you look back, you may break into a grin or chuckle about the mishaps, but you and the girls and the rest of the family will cherish the memories made on this trip and I cannot think of a more powerful reminder of why we blog than your Grandmother having all her stories in a book for you. Seriously - that post brought me to tears. So very very precious.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

What an amazing treasure you have in a book by your grandmother! When my grandmother passed away...we had drawers and drawers full of photos...that we have no idea who they are. She was even a reporter in the thirties. I wish I knew more of her stories!

Anonymous said...

Bridget... that made me so so so happy! I also love reading grandma's book... I love that our families have gotten to spend so much time with each other in these last few months and I know I speak for everyone when I say we cannot wait to see you, Bill and those two beautiful baby girls!

Aunt Julie said...

The road trip story is a keeper! You've got quite a keepsake here in the posts you've collected. You'll get a kick out of sharing them with the family in a few years. BTW, I'm new to blogging, and I'm running a Great Giveaway on my blog this week. Please drop by to see me--OK, SITSta?

-Bridget said...

Thanks all for your kind words. My grandma actually reads my blog and I know she'll be happy to see how many strangers think her hard work was so worth it.

And now I have to call out Trista. Trista has the unique distinction of being the only family member other than my sisters and my mom brave enough to comment on my blog. Go Trista! Thanks for your words! (I know that was your anonymous comment on the Wii thread too, btw). For the rest of my family that reads my blog and doesn't comment, that's quite all right. I'm just glad you care enough to come here and read at all. I love all of you!

Tara said...

Thanks for the reminder, Bridget. Through all of my summer traveling, it's nice to remember why I keep getting back in the car with my kids. To show my kids how many people love them and to give them the memories of their family when they grow up. I only wish I could get out more often - I know there's family out there - especially our Dad's family - that I haven't been able to visit. Keep reminding me why we do it...

Anonymous said...

I don't know how I missed this story when I visited your blog earlier. I love stories like your Grandma's. Route 66 road trip stories make me smile too. Traveling was easier but harder back then. Maybe the kids were easier,lol. (although yours sound wonderful)I am off to search your blog for more references to your grandma's book-sounds like my cup of tea!

Jess NBP said...

hehehe... thx for the comment love on the recipes.

Michelle said...

Now THAT is a sweet way to remember things. And so very very cool of your grandma to write her life story. I wish I had something like that. Actually, I may ask my mom if she'd do that for my wee ones....

As for the wedding crashers -- seriously? wow. I can't even imagine, but of course I want more details now ;)

Anonymous said...

Bridge,
I'm sooo HAPPY that you and your sisters have picked up on the value of family!! Now I can die a happy mom!! You actually made me cry with this one...I read your blog all the time even if I don't comment. I'll have to start on my book now. But don't look for it to be completed for another 30+ years or so! LOL!
We DID have a great time!
Love you more...xoxo

Mountain Mom said...

Bridget - I have tagged you for a very prestigious award over at my place. Cheers! :)

Anonymous said...

How sweet of your grandma!

In my 8th grade English class, our final exam of the year was to write an autobiography. We had about six months to do it, and of course I waited until the night before it was due to write it. But I ended up getting the best grade in the class! I really should find that paper and keep adding to it so one day, Zoey and any other future children/grandchildren can read it. But only AFTER I'm long gone because there are some things in my past that I am NOT too proud of!

Oh, and I know it probably was annoying to you, but that sounds so cute about Reagan doing somersaults! Are you glad to be home?!

One Crazy Chick! said...

Just think how cool it will be for your family to read all your stories. Really, that makes me glad I have a blog!

Anonymous said...

cracking up about the wedding crashers - and love the "moral" of the story. I wish my gramma would write a book.

Mama Mia said...

very sweet.....