Reflection

I always thought that I would live close to my brothers and sister and that their kids would hang out with mine. I envisioned them just walking in my house, not worrying about knocking, just as comfortably as if they lived here. I thought they would sit at the kitchen table and eat and tell me about school, the same one that I attended when I was their age. And I would tell them funny stories of their fathers and mother when we were young.

Jon and I think it's interesting that we grew up in the same town, attended high school together but never lived as a married couple there. We moved a few days after we wed and have only been back a handful of times. Sometimes you just have to go where the job takes you.

For my mom it was the same way and I understand now, her excitement when one of her nieces or nephews would come visit us from Texas. Just as you can see yourself in your child, you see your sibling in theirs and it's comforting to know you are all connected.
Connected not only by bloodline but by the whole family experience with its good and bad times; a lifetime of memories.

This week all of my envisioning has come true and it has been delightful. I wish it could stay this way but I'll take what I can have and be thankful for it always. We are loving it.

A sightseeing trip in pictures

My niece, Blaise, at The Washington Monument.

My nephew, Bryson, on the steps of The Lincoln Memorial

Jon and Belen at the Smithsonian - Museum of American History

Cousins on the monument steps

Identifying

One of my favorite sights in DC - The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial

Blaise's reflection on the wall

Reese pointing out the Washington Monument just in case you missed it.