Family Getaway

In a rare and sudden audible... Joyce and Grace plans a long weekend getaway for the 4 families to Paso Robles.  I took absolutely zero part in planning other than knowing the dates.  In fact... I got scolded for looking ahead at events we can go to as a family.  

What is it about going on vacation without a plan?? Two days before the trip... Grace sends the link to the Airbnb and comments, "I've done nothing to plan ahead!!!"

I didn't mean it... and I don't think I committed any foul play when a colleague found out I was going to Paso and sent me a list of go-to's.  I flipped that list over to Joyce... just so we have a fallback.  Did I do any planning?? NOPE!! Not I.....

I went with the flow... and things more or less worked out.  Having the safety net of the in-laws truly helped... especially in the cooking dinner department.  Grace is a maniac when it comes to making a huuuuugggggeeeee breakfast.  And I was in the corner... sipping my coffee watching as things unfolded.  

Cihan's kids absolutely adored me.  I gave enough bait for them to enjoy my fun side... and held back when I felt the need for privacy.  Far too often... I felt bad for the neglect and would "babysit" more than I originally bargained for. 

Family gatherings are tricky... to move 12 people from point A to point B.  To find a restaurant that can seat us all.  To make sure everyone likes something.  That's near impossible.  We've been on enough trips together where Grace knows... that Joyce knows... that I'm impatient.  I may not be the executor of expediency.... but I probably will get blamed, and rightfully so.  If you're slow... then it's your job to catch up.  Not my job to wait.  

I asked the kids this on our way back.... the top moments of this trip.

My top moment... the moment I sank my teeth into that Firestone Grill fry.  Everybody acknowledged it.  But days later as I look back... I think my top moment was actually sitting in the Downtown Plaza... all alone while the fam went shopping at Barnes and Noble... and I had 30 minutes of me time listening to a beautiful couple busking.

I need to treasure these getaways.  At some point... they will be my lifeline of having any family connections and if I thumb my nose at them now... they may not be there when I realize I miss them.