Miles To Go Before We Sleep

“Dad, are we going to see the delivery bell?” Emily (5) asked.  “Sure, just a few more minutes.” Ken said with a laugh.  We had been waiting in line less than ten minutes.  The weather was cool and the sun was bright.  Before long, we would be inside gazing at the historic bell.

It was Saturday morning and Ken, the kids and I had hopped a train into downtown Philly to see the historic sites.  It had been five days since we left home on our extended Thanksgiving weekend and we were starting to lose steam. 

The trip started on Tuesday night.  Ken had packed the minivan while I was at work.  As soon as I got home, we loaded the crew and set off on the open road.  We almost made it to Indiana before sunset.  We were snuggled in our hotel room by ten o'clock that night.

Day 2 was more driving. Eric (8) watched Harry Potter and the Power Ranges on the DVD.  Ken drove.  I handed snacks to Beth (3) and Emily.  We arrived at my sister Theresa’s house just in time for dinner.

After hugs, kisses and a quick bite to eat we were back in the car.  Theresa had suggested we spend the evening at Hershey Park.  Cousin Mary (4) showed Beth how to pick the best horse on the carousel.  Cousin Max (5) played carnival games with Eric. Emily danced and clapped at the red, yellow and blue Christmas lights that hung from the trees.

Day 3 was Thanksgiving.  Nanny and Poppy gathered with their kids at Theresa’s house.  We held hands and thanked God for our good fortune.  We stuffed our stomachs with turkey and dressing.  We retold old stories about times long ago.

On day 4, we piled the clan back into the minivan.  Our next stop would be just outside of Philadelphia.  Grand mom and Pop pop were waiting to see us.  We'd be there in time for lunch. After naps we planned to play games or read or do nothing.  It was a do nothing kind of day.

We spent day 5 exploring Independence Hall in Old Town Philly.  We learned about the Constitution.  The kids splashed through piles of leaves in Washington Park.  On the train ride home, Beth crawled into my lap and dozed while I sang the Mocking Beard song.  Emily rested her head on Ken's shoulder and hummed along to the buzz of the train.  Eric gazed at the city as it raced past.

It’s day 6 now.  We’ve just left West Virginia.  Only six more hours to go until we are home.  The kids are tired of driving so much.  The car, which had been so neatly packed when we left Illinois earlier in the week, is a mess of napkins, blankets, shoes and socks. 

The movies are getting old.  Even Beth is starting to repeat lines from Harry Potter.  "No mail on Sunday." She laughs as she recalls the scene when the owls deliver a hundred letters to Harry. 

Though we had a great time being with our family, we’re anxious to feel the warmth of our beds tonight.  We are thinking of our soft covers and cozy rooms.  We're wishing for our favorite jammies and slippers. 

But alas, those dreams will need to wait a bit longer.  We’ve still got miles to go before we sleep.