You can take the girl out of Boston, but you can't take the Boston out of
the girl. Today is Marathon Monday – The
Boston Marathon. It's also Patriots Day. Or, if
you live in any state other than Massachusetts, Maine, or Wisconsin, it may
just be a regular Monday. Unless of course, you have kids! It could be the
start of the famous April Vacation.
My family’s April Vacation wasn’t really a vacation at all. Once the snow
had melted, we no longer had to get up at the "crack of dawn" to beat
the "impending snow storm" and all pack into the family station wagon
to head up to the White Mountains of New Hampshire to ski. The April Vacation was
time to stay home, spend time with Nana, visit with school friends and, most
importantly, go on Mystery Rides.
None of us kids knew when we got in the car where the Mystery Ride might be
going but usually it was Boston. We went to The Boston Children's Museum, The Museum of Science, the Boston Public
Garden, and for rides on the Swan Boats.
Something as simple as riding the T (which is what Bostonians
call their subway, for those who don't know) was super exciting and scary all
at the same time. It was important we all were dressed well, and acted on our
best behavior.
My mom was a teacher, so to have her to ourselves for an entire week was
really special. My dad was a police officer, and as you might imagine, not a
huge fan of Boston and the crowds, but he would make an occasional exception
for a trip to Fenway Park or
a day at Faneuil Hall
Marketplace, especially if he could end up at the North
End for dinner.
When we were in Downtown Boston my Nana would tell us how she used to climb
the State
House steps everyday, and how she went to work at Filene's
Department Store against the direction of her husband – all to give her
family a good life. In retrospect, I think she just didn't like being told what
to do.
What does April Vacation mean to me now? Well clearly it's not a vacation. But
it's something I look forward to, I'm blessed to spend time with children in
the evening, usually after they have had a full-day of family activity. When I
meet families here in Key West my first question is usually, "how was your
day," and I love when I hear things like, "we relaxed and spent the
day together." The "family-friendly" to-do list is endless here
in Key West. But sometimes, just
stopping to enjoy one another is what’s most important.
Love is now; and I can't think of anything more precious than seeing life
through the eyes of a child.
Have a fabulous week!
