The week had already been so good.

I got to see my boys, really see them, their faces, their world, the life they’re building out west. My heart was already full. And the last day started with a coffee shop, of course it did! We loved sipping iced lattes to start the day. Abbie had smoked salmon toast, and Jeff and I got a savory crepe. It was so good!! We don’t normally order food, but we couldn’t resist in a place that had its own little hum of morning excitement.

Travis couldn’t join us that day, so we were a family of four.  Since the time change was so drastic, we waited at the coffee shop for Christian to wake up, then picked him up at their apartment.

And then we were off for our last day in California.   

It took quite a while to travel those twenty-eight miles to get to Venice. Traffic was crazy! When we finally sat down for lunch, I noticed how many healthy options California has.  At least, compared to where I live.  The food was “fancy” and healthy and, seriously, very good.

Beverly Hills was a bit of a disappointment.  I guess I’m just not into that kind of stuff.  The one thing I did enjoy, but paid way too much for, was a smoothie.  Abbie kept telling me we needed to go to “Air One,” well, that’s what she said, but I found out it’s actually spelled “Erewhon.”  It’s a grocery store, and we stood in line for at least twenty minutes to get this famous smoothie.  I have to admit I had my doubts.  How good could it be?

Well, it was AMAZING!  Probably a one-time thing for me, but the chocolate one was out of this world.  I can see what all the fuss is about.  YUM!

After the smoothie and some shopping, where we experienced price shock, is that a thing?  Because we felt it.  Ha!  We headed to Santa Monica Pier.  It reminds me of a fair, one that’s been around for a while.  There’s a giant Ferris wheel, lots of kiosks, and people singing as you walk along the pier.  There was a lot of noise, and if you’re younger, you probably appreciate all of it.  But I’m not young anymore, so I longed to walk the beach and feel the powerful peace of the ocean.  

The beach was nice with a view of the mountains rising to one side.  I do love the ocean.  But being from the Gulf Coast originally, I didn’t think it compared to the ones back home.  Just my opinion, of course.  It was a lot of fun getting pictures, but I don’t think I’d care to visit the west side of Los Angeles again. 

My favorite place?

We stayed in Pasadena.

The beautiful palm tree-lined streets made me feel like I was living in an episode of Miami Vice.  I’m dating myself here. Does anyone else remember that show?

The people there are so nice!   Every coffee shop, every restaurant, every person we encountered was kind.  I guess you could say I’m an East LA kind of girl. 

After three wonderful, action-packed days together, we headed home.

The flights home was seamless.

You know what, though?  I’m glad I had to face the 4.5-hour flight to get there.  I think I’m a little braver because of it.

I don’t know when I’ll get back out to Cali, but I do know that when I get the chance, I’ll board that plane with a nervous, but grateful heart.

There’s just too much life, too many people on the other side of that fear, to let it stop me.  

Many of you know what it’s like when grown children move far away. I sometimes sit and worry about whether I’ll get to be a part of their lives or if we’ll become distant friends who visit once a year. I know this is something I have to learn to let go of because I have no control over what the future holds.

But it’s still hard.

For now, I’m going to enjoy sharing our trip and reliving it through the pictures and the retelling of how we spent our time.

That’s all I have. 

And it will have to be enough, at least until I get to see their faces again.