1697.7 Miles Later

That's right; another road trip has been completed in the best, most exotic, most reliable minivan on the East Coast. From Charlotte, North Carolina to Williamstown, Massachusetts and back.

The campus of Williams College is one of the most beautiful places I have ever lived. 

I know I'm biased, but that doesn't make that statement any less true.

The twenty-five year reunion of the Distinguished Class of 1987 was a deep purple success.

There were stories, tears, laughter, hugs, kisses, more stories, balloons, dancing, food, and many, many drinks.

There was walking, shopping, listening, taking photographs, oohing, aahing, and remembering.
A lot of remembering.

Steve and I offered ourselves as Reunion Speakers; rather, I should say that I offered us as Reunion speakers. I felt like it was time for alumni to tell stories other than the typical ones: My life as disease-curing doctor. My life as world-traveler and award-winning author. My life as important person making important decisions that affect milliions of people. Those are good stories, and important ones to tell and hear, but there are many other stories being lived out by Williams alumni and their families.

So we told the story of how our four years at Williams prepared us to be the parents of a child with a mental illness, to seek the help we need to deal with our situation, and to not be ashamed or afraid to tell the stories of the lives we live, even though they may not be worthy of a Lifetime movie or a best-selling book. We strongly encouraged those in attendance to never attempt to walk through the dark valleys of their lives alone. 

Our talk was generously received and warmly appreciated. It was also filmed and when I receive the link, I will post it here in case anyone wants to see it. 

Needless to say, I laughed and cried and poured my heart out behind that small podium. 

One thousand six hundred ninety seven and seven tenths of a mile later, we turned onto our driveway, unloaded the minivan, and walked back into our lives here in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

I am glad we went.

I am glad we are back at home.