My first day back on the road was 10 1/2 hrs and two time zones, Phoenix to Amarillo.  I planned to make the trip to St. Louis in three 7 hour days, but I was on a roll.  Cam was graduating from St. Louis University and I was excited to see him.  I made camp in my tent and didn’t set an alarm because I was way ahead of schedule.  The next day I was only going to Oklahoma City but when I got there tornadoes and hail were chasing me so I pressed on.  Trying to outrun the weather put me on another 10 hour drive and I found myself just outside St. Louis by nightfall.

It seemed that the week long visit with family went just as fast as my drive to St. Louis.  We celebrated with Cameron for two days in St. Louis then we all drove to my brother’s home in southern Illinois.  Five kids and 2 have already graduated from college!  They are all growing up so fast.  I’ve heard it said so often, but time does fly.  I see parents with their young children and I look at them and say, “before you know it, they’ll be 22.”  I have been making the extra effort to see my niece and nephews for the last several years because I don’t want them to only know me through stories from their dad and mom.  I want to have a relationship with them; I have a relationship with them.  It was easier with my younger brother’s daughters because they lived around the corner from me, we could hang out.  Big brother lives in Illinois.  They are all so important to me.  I miss them already.  See you again soon.