1,000’s of miles. Countless hours. Maps, food, winter jackets crumpled deep into the corners as the temperature rises. Heading south toward greenery, heat and rest.

From the back:”Mami, in two hours will we be in Florida?”

“No sweetie, in two days.”

The middle one: “Mami, can we stop to get some FOOD?”

“No, hon, Papa packed egg salad sandwiches.”Groans all around.

Someone murmurs: smells like farts.

It’s been a while since the five of us have been alone like this. We’re having a blast. Being together in a miniscule space, traversing one tiny section of this gigantic country, laughing and crying at American Idol at night, trying to explain what the Governor of NY has been up to, pointing out the trees beginning to bloom, negotiating pit stops and souvenirs and how many ice creams/bags of cheese doodles it takes before you start to feel really, really, really sick (as opposed to just sick)…. this is the stuff of life.

I wouldn’t miss it for anything.