Preface

I suppose that our upcoming cross-country sojourn could legitimately be referred to as our Fifth Commandment Trip in that our primary objective is to visit our parents. As time marches on, Mary and I realize that one of the attendant role reversals is our ability to travel to our parents rather than vice versa. During the course of our thirty-eight years together our parents visited us numerous times because it was just as easy or even easier for them to come to us. Blessing Number One is that my parents and Mary’s mother are still here for us to visit. Mary’s father died much earlier than any of us wanted but our memories of him are filled with the many trips Bill and Jean made to see us. As we grow older Mary and I have a greater appreciation of the fact that without our parents we would not exist and that the ancient admonition to honor them is the very least that we can do. I’m not sure that this would have been our attitude were we not parents ourselves but that we are has strengthened our understanding of how deeply grateful we are for all that our parents have done for us. As we embark on our journey I find myself being deeply grateful to our daughters, as well, for helping us with even such little things as teaching us how to include photographs in our daily posts. We are blessed beyond our ability to fully comprehend, and not least among these blessings is our ability to share the joy with family and friends.

Obama 08