Estoy mirando patos en fila.

Over the past 8 months I have paused in a state of awed admiration often, and even moreso at decreased intervals over the past 3 months. One of the most surreal feelings of wonderment propagating those pauses is when a glance retrospectively brings recognition of God's involvement unawares. He's moving the ducks around and you don't even realize it until all of a sudden you find yourself staring down a line of ducks. 

For the second time in two years, life events changed beyond my control, allowing me to join my family on vacation. When you live separated from immediate family it becomes that much more special. Both your adopted family you get to do life with on a daily basis as well as that family that has been most present as you've morphed through the stages of life and growth. Honestly, it's not about the vacation, or where you are, when you're with family.  It's being able to spend time with them and actually be present in their lives. 

My picture-taking game was a bit lacking on this trip. This is the only full group picture that we took out of the whole week. At the Titanic Museum.

Group selfie on the grand staircase exact replica

When the mirrors reflect on for infinity. Miles might have missed the point of infinity mirrors with me standing behind him. Glad he can improvise.

Standing for the flag at the Dixie Stampede, Miles decides to salute. Just a little man in his own little world.

Meeting cousins for dinner. Scott & Jennie's family was also vacation nearby that week.

Jake couldn't join us for the week, so we had fun texting and talking with him over zoom. Peter asked for his favorite candy, then they all had to try it. The Reese's Take 5 got a variety of responses from the boys.

 

After a week with family, I dove into a week of call. Busy week as a full call week tends to be. Was finally starting to feel caught up on sleep this morning before heading into the hospital, but now after clinic I've decided, nope, not quite caught up yet. 

I was thankful my patients all showed up for their appointments today. I am leaving on Monday for Honduras and therefore rescheduling would not be possible. One in particular I was glad to see him doing well. After 3 weeks in the hospital recovering from surgery he had decided to leave A.M.A. (Against Medical Advice). A situation, which I couldn't blame him for, but at the same time left me wondering what happened to him.  So I was thankful to see him upright and walking. He acknowledged the subpar situation his decision had created, but reassured me of his official review, "If you need work on your bowels, call Christy!" Thanks.... I think?

 

Much Love.

Estoy en vacaciones.

 A trip out East was squeezed into the books. The primary reason was to give my Togo presentation to the Rockville congregation, which ended up being postponed in the days leading up to the trip. Thankfully things like that save, and can be shared at a later date pending rescheduling. Either way it is always wonderful to be with my Connecticut family, and this time introduce Jake to my family as well, and vice versa. 

 I got to visit with Stephen & JaNae and their little guy. Pictures above taken a year apart.

From Connecticut, it was Jake's turn to do the introductions as we drove South, bypassing NYC and landing instead along the Jersey boardwalk. 

We started in Asbury Park.

Detoured through The Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove.

Meandered along the pier.

We walked the New Jersey Boardwalk from Asbury Park down to Belmar bridge and back again. Overall, both Amanda and I were impressed with this side of Jersey Jake had wanted to share. 

From New Jersey we headed back up to New York to join with the rest of the crew that had also been making their ways East while we had been in CT and NJ. We all headed into the city for the 4th of July and had an amazing day enjoying the city, the fireworks and each other. 

My request for the day had been to visit the Vessel at Hudson Yards. Unfortunately not climbable, but got to at least see it.

 The gang in front of the Vessel. Jake, Nicole, Heather, Amanda, Andrea and me.

 City view along the Highline.

Group pic along the Highline. 

At one point we were going to split and Jake and I go to the Museum of Mathematics, however I looked up the closing time and we decided it wouldn't be worth the entrance fee for what little time was left. So we all headed to the MET instead. Unfortunately I had made an incorrect assumption and we didn't clarify the closing time until we were already inside and exploring. Always good to make a donation to the Arts, right?

General PSA for anyone planning on visiting the MET. 1) Yes I would recommend it. 2) Do not assume you can do the place justice with part of a day. You can spend a whole day (opening to closing) lost in the MET and still not see it all.

Waiting for Fireworks on the East River. 

Another general PSA concerning the corralling and herding that is required to experience the festivities in NYC. Yes, you will bump into complete strangers. Yes, you will be standing for hours. But look at the smiles on our faces. At the end of the day all you remember are the smiles. 

We passed the time talking and laughing. At one point I had asked, "What is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen." To summarize the collective responses, the general conclusion was "People being kind to other people." What a wonderful world this could be.

42nd street closed to traffic to allow dispersing of the crowds at the end of the Fireworks. We held onto each other and snaked our way through. Made our train back to Yonkers! I love NYC.

Much Love.