Lesson Learned

Last fall, I had the distinct impression that we needed to go visit my grandparents who live in California.  When I mentioned this to my sister, Josie, she said she'd been having the same feeling.  So we started planning.  Kind of.  Before we knew it, our fall and winter were loaded full of busy things and our trip plans became non-existent.  After receiving a beautifully crocheted sweater for Bailey from my grandma in December, I called to thank her.  That call caught my grandparents as they were walking in the door of their home after a trip to the doctor.  My grandpa had just been diagnosed with Lymphoma.  Long story short, we (us Rickers and the Brenners) were on a plane the next month to go visit.  We had a lovely time visiting in their home, the one home from my childhood that us Ririe Navy brats can return to.  We stayed in Monterrey and went down to Cannery Row, a favorite of my kids. We enjoyed beautiful scenery, wonderful weather, and the most perfect company.  My kids are short on grandparents.  It's important that they have relationships with these two incredible people even if they're an airplane trip away.