Everyone always looks forward to vacation and when it arrives it passes by so quickly. The first half of our trip is over and we’re on the Amtrak train to NYC. I can feel the prayers from our family and friends surrounding us and lifting Izzy up. Her routine is non-existent and she’s not put much food and water into her tummy…she’s been sassy and mean one minute but recovers to be kind and excited the next. She and Aunt Tina got through two mornings just the two of them and they’re still talking to each other. She has conquered the subways, trolleys and now the train. She petted stingrays and sand sharks, tried on every sparkly makeup in Sephora, tried cannolis and vegan cookies and followed the Freedom Trail. She saw history she recently studied and a 533lb sea turtle who is 90+ yrs old.

She decided not to go see Harvard or MIT this trip because she’ll go when it’s her turn to search for the perfect university. Or who knows, maybe she’ll visit Bubba here in Boston when he’s in university.

I’m immeasurably proud of her for her Boston experience. Yes, I’d love for less sass and less phone and more viewing the city and scenery, but she saw the things that were important to her…the Boston massacre, where they read the Declaration of Independence for the first time, the Boston Tea Party and Paul Reveres house and gravesite (also where the 5 victims of the Boston Massacre and Sam Adams are buried). She has memories to share with her teachers and class. I really couldn’t ask for more from her.

And now we are rolling towards the Big Apple. I can’t wait to see their faces. Keep praying…..