Miss Ruegsegger Goes to Washington

Ten is a big birthday at our house. We started a tradition with kid #1 which has become a rite of passage. It goes like this: Ten year old child chooses destination. Mom and Dad evaluate destination. Mom and Dad revise destination if necessary. Mom and Dad both barter for the privilege of accompanying child on journey. Kid has a grand time! Memories are made and relationships are nourished. This is sweet.

So as the day dawned on March 18, Abigail and I headed to the airport. This little one who came to us at daybreak ten years ago was now wheeling her suitcase down the ramp and boarding the airplane, full of excitement and anticipation. And she was not so little anymore!

We had a great time in Washington, thanks to our dear friends the Coads. We toured downtown, gazed at the unretouched Declaration of Independence, visited the war memorials and roamed the grounds of Mount Vernon. By the time we got home, we were weary and our beds felt good, but we were glad to have made the journey. And indeed it was more than a journey; it was an investment in our dear daughter, Abigail Joy.