Highlights: I guess waking up in a resort in the Stanislaus Forest outside Yosemite could be a highlight. The impromptu decision to go to Rush Creek with Tommy yesterday morning proved valuable and rewarding. I sometimes need to step out of 20+ years of parenting, with 15 being correction and direction, enough to recognize many of the negative experiences I have are partially colored by expectations and interpretations. I think that goes both ways. And is universal. Whatever the case, I had a great time and some good conversations. I see him starting to open up more about sorting out the past few years and everything that has come his way. I have to say he and his sister both have been amazing. We enjoyed the property further before departing around 11 AM and stopping at Old Priest Station Café at the top of Priest Grade Road. I had longed for their hamburger, a routine stop and choice on our visits to the area. It did not disappoint! Of course, the venue has history. I also used this trip to double-check my assumptions and concerns regarding the mileage that my car has been recording. My car insurance was raised partly because somebody ratted me out as having driven 10,000 miles over the last eight months. There's no way that was possible. So, I've been testing it. And it turns out it is. At least so far, I cannot disprove the accuracy of the odometer. Therefore, I had no choice but to accept that without realizing I was doing so, and I've racked up some It's serious miles. How can I not? That car is so much fun to drive. And because I pay next to nothing for the electricity to change it, and it's so comfortable, I might as well enjoy it—even if the insurance company dings me. t's just getting to be absurd. I guess this is what the new reality will be. I spent the remainder of the evening after returning, settling in, catching up on some tasks, and getting organized. I'm excited that both kids have the same week off for spring break this year. It will allow us to schedule a family vacation. The time is right for recognizing, embracing, and immersing ourselves in the quality of our family dynamic. It's haed to comprehend how this came about. The emotional cost, loss, hardship and struggle. But that isn't that simply what life is? At least half of more? You see it as a victim or merely inevitable change.
