We met up with various DC-area Walshes, my cousins and their children, and my Uncle Bailey, for a whirlwind summer adventure. Dad had transcribed and copied some of the many letters my Papa had written to his wife and children while he was on board. A banker by training, older than many other drafted soldiers, and a gentle man by nature, Papa's beautiful letters illustrate his mixed emotions about proudly serving his country while pining for his family back in Tennessee. It was wonderful to walk on a ship just like his, to imagine this man penning words of love and duty day in and day out. Rebecca seemed to really relish this experience, showing genuine interest in the parts of the ship and drinking in the one-on-one attention, walking hand-in-hand with Papa and talking more than usual with no other siblings to steal her thunder.
After our day in Buffalo, we drove up to Niagara Falls. I don't even need to describe this place in words, just look at the pictures.
Rounding out our weekend, Rebecca and I made the trip home alone. We drove for several hours, listening to music, talking about school and friends, the past and the future. Reading Papa's letters prompted Rebecca to ask about war, about love, and about my own childhood memories, especially those of Papa himself. She fell asleep about 2 hours from home, and in the silence, I thanked God for the opportunity to be TRULY WITH my daughter, to teach her and to learn from her. Good stuff.
