The Handoff.

We have been busy every day on this trip--exploring, learning and visiting.  But earlier this week I took a day and gathered up all of our stuff, repacked bags, did loads of laundry and tried to fit everything from the previous 8 weeks back into our van.  That's right, late Wednesday night, my aunt and uncle arrived so that they could begin their own odyssey across the US with plans to visit family and friends along the way. And eventually arriving in Chula Vista to return the van and visit with us one last time before returning to NY.  Didn't that all work out so great?! I mean, after being on the road for 8 weeks, the kids and I get to fly back to San Diego and my aunt and uncle get an adventure of their own.  Once they arrive in San Diego, they will then fly back to NY and everyone will be back in their "respective" places. I love when a plan comes together!!

Just before handing off the van, I took note of the miles logged since we left on our trip back in May. 7,130!!  Just incredible! And W.O.W. More importantly, the memories and adventures that the kids and I have had together have been blazed on my heart forever.  I have loved every minute of every second of every day that I have spent with them.  You know, I have heard from so many people before and throughout the course of this trip about "how crazy of an idea" this was, or "I am nuts to do this by myself." Heck, even I put in the sidebar of this blog that I thought I might loose my sanity.  But can I tell you something? I have wanted to spend more time with my kids for a long time.  I am grateful that I was able to quit my job and have this experience with them. And I have loved it all. I would do it all again and again.

Conversations Overheard:
Diego to me: "Mami, how do you get to heaven?"
Me: "What do you mean? Like as in 'lead a good life' or 'how do you physically get there?'"
Diego: "No Mami, like how do you get there? How do you actually get to heaven?"
Me: "Well, when you die, your body goes to a cemetery. But your soul, your heart, goes to heaven to be with Jesus and God and all of the people who have died before us."
[a pause and then]
Diego: "So Jesus comes to get my soul?"
Me: "Yes"
Diego: "How does he do it?"
Me: "Well, he comes with Angels and they have wings and they fly your soul up to heaven."
Diego: "What do we do in heaven?"
Me: "Heaven is a wonderful place full of love and happiness.  We get to see all of the people who have died before us. Like Lucy and Sofi, and Tata and Cousin Sarah. They will all be waiting to see you and play with you and love you in heaven."
Diego: "I want to go to heaven."
Me: "Me too someday."