Goin' Up North

Tomorrow morning we leave to go up north.
It is my favorite place on earth.

I'm not sure if it's just because we've gone there since before I was born or if it is so special because my whole family is there. Maybe it's the peace/quiet/lake. Or maybe it's that I'm away from the stress of work. It's definitely not a place of glamour or exquisite room and board. I wouldn't even really consider it clean.

It is what it is.
It's beautiful.

I look forward to it every year. All year.
Andy is on the couch with a beer right now. We'll leave in the morning but for him, vacation has already begun because the car is all packed. It's overflowing with everything my mind could possible conceive of needing. You can't see out any of the windows. Watch out-the Roeder family is heading north.

Some of my most early, vivid and best memories are from this place. Traditions continue, from the drive up, stopping at the same grocery store, to planning meals. I think 100 e-mails flew this last month between my mom, sister and myself. Even quite a few just about what books we would try to read while we enjoyed the breeze, a cold beverage and each other.

Every year was the same but also very different as I grew up from a baby, to a toddler, child, teenager, wife and now mother. I'm still "going to the cottage". And this year I get to bring Elijah and see him explore. Last year he was the tiniest peanut there ever was. I hardly left his side. It was easy having him up there. He ate and slept. This year will be a challenge as he crawls and puts everything in his mouth. But....how lucky am I to be able to bring my son and husband to hang out in my favorite place with my family?



Pretty darn lucky.