What’s Wrong With This Picture?

From the outset this is a lovely photo of me at my friend’s Dave and Sara’s house with them. We just took this selfie after they severed me a yummy dinner and had our usual stimulating conversation. Sara took pity on me being alone for two weeks and invited me for dinner when she stopped by my house this morning. Of course I was free for dinner at a moment’s notice, but if you want lunch it is a four week wait. Such is the life of a lady who lunches with a traveling husband.
Back to what is wrong with this picture. First thing that is wrong is that it is just the three of us. Russ is away. Second is it is taken in Durham. Yes, it is one of the best places to live and we all chose to be here because we love it, even though we could live anywhere. Third, our children our missing from the picture. Granted Tatum, their oldest is a grown up and has her own place, but Megan and Carter are both in Europe, Megan in Florence and Carter in Berlin. Fourth, Shay, who is their dog Brady’s cousin was not there, even though she is always welcome. Fifth, Russ is actually in Amsterdam with Carter and I am here with Dave and Sara.

In all seriousness, if I couldn’t be with Russ and Carter I am thrilled to spend the evening with Dave and Sara. Dave and I shared school bus stories where I related the tale of the Ancona brothers terrorizing the boys on my bus for years, only to be rivaled by the Pressler brothers who terrorized their bus. We agreed that surviving those school bus trips gave us grit.

Somehow I am not sure that even the best dinner compares to visiting the Van Gough museum, walking along the canals or stopping for lunch at our family favorite Wagamamas that Russ and Carter were doing. For me I am glad that one of us was able to get their eyes on Carter and spend a little spoiling time. For Carter I think that some alone time with Dad, and actual alone time without roommates, a big hotel bed all to herself and a fancy bathroom are restorative. She may not have ever had to ride a school. Us and survive the bullying that went on like Dave and I did back in the seventies, but I think she is building up grit navigating college in Berlin.  

For this weekend it is a grit free zone for Russ and Carter. I wish I were with them, but know this is something the two of them will cherish forever. I do know they thought of me at least because they sent be a picture of this quilt shop, which interestingly is in English.  

Dave and Sara get to capture the right picture of their family together in Italy and it won’t be too long before I get to go see Carter with Russ in Germany. For now, Russ and Carter send me some more pictures of you two together. A good photo makes my heart happy.