Dear 2009,

Don't let the door hit in you in the ass on the way out.

Sincerely,
Jen Whalen

When the family started talking about this trip a few months ago, it was simply so that Dad wouldn't have to make the long trek from Michigan to Florida alone. And, since I had the work flexibility to go along, I would be the one to share the road with him.

As Dad and I started talking more about the trip, I realized that there were seldom opportunities to see the middle of the country - much less by car - and if we were going to do this, I didn't want to speed through and hang out in Florida for a week before heading home. Rather, let's take advantage and see things we've never seen ... take our time and "ramble", in a way, through the mid-South and on into Florida. My only stipulation? Graceland. Sure it was 10 hours out of the way, but to me, it was a destination everyone could rally around.

I like Elvis, but Graceland is probably not somewhere I would have made a special pilgrimage to see. Dad agreed - it's never really been on "the list", but after some research and ideas of hitting Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives along the way, taking our time seemed like a great idea.

Every step of the way, it hasn't escaped me that Mom should be making this drive with Dad. That they had their own ways of doing things; driving schedules, routines, roles and responsibilities. (And I don't think ordering a charcuterie plate in Cleveland, OH would have been on that schedule!)

But this year has been about change for all of us. And, for the greater part of the year, it's simply been a challenge. From losing the security of my job on the heels of losing my mother, it was the roughest patch I've seen in my life yet, and ultimately, in some ways, I've had to resign myself to the idea that things happen for a reason, or I don't think I could have made it through.

This drive has been a good end to the year for both of us. At times, in my mind, I interpreted "Finding Graceland" simply as "Finding Grace". Building a friendship with my Dad, taking on different roles and responsibilities, and seeing new parts of the country only time like this can afford.

I think Mom agreed. Tonight, as we were pulling into Beth & Dave's home in Madison, AL, "That's All" by Genesis came on the radio. I don't think Dad knew, but I was crying ... if there was one song in this whole world that reminded me of Mom, this is the one. She was with us on this trip, and she'll be with us forever. I think this was her way of telling us to "take out the old and bring in the new".

When this trip is over, I will start a new job at home. Dad will start a new routine in Florida. And we'll all start a New Year. A year that certainly has to hold promises of a better one than the last.

That was then, and this is 2010.

To start out on the right foot ...

Dear Family & Friends,

Happy New Year.

Much Love,
JEN