traveling, seeing old friends

My two youngest children and I just traveled to my hometown (well at least where I lived from 13 on). We stayed with my best friend from high school.

It was a long drive; which threatened to be longer when my daughter asked about 5 mins into the 7 hour drive; "are we there yet? how much longer". I said, we can turn around and go home and than the drive would be over. She decided it would be worth the trip.

About hour 6 1/2 we passed a little farm by the side of the road. I pointed out the llamas. Gabby demanded that we stop; which we did because we had not stopped in hours. We realized that not only did they have llamas, but a zebra as well as horses, cows, and ponies.

The very first day, my children jumped onto a tractor with my friend's brother, Bobby, and her son, Luke. She said, we'll get them in a while but let's get coffee first.

By the time we got back, they were having milk and cookies at Bobby's house. Hosni had driven a little C, and a tractor. He was ready for milking. Which he did, for about an hour.

We saw lots of family, the new baby, and old high school teachers and friends. It was a great trip. We listened to The Golden Compass on audiobook on the way home. A great story even on tape.

We're going to rent a house there for the summer, where I am sure my then 8 year (still bald) son will learn to hay.

But until then, it's back to school.

I loved seeing old friends. I mean the ones that you don't often think about except in passing (HS best friEnds are not part of that group). they often radiate warmth and it makes me think about how easy it was to have friends. HS best friends are just always your friend, they are always in your heart. Part of who you are. Their families become part of you as well.

It has made me think a lot about how we interact, how some people (and I guess all of us in some respects have this aspect of our personality in the right setting) HAVE to take over and be the center of attention. I do , usually when I'm trying to make people laugh. It's like talking to people on Facebook, every wants to put their best face (some pun intended) forward. That is a whole different conversation.