Kate Miller 27: Road Trip Part 1

Two 12-hour car trips back to back? Just like with having a baby, Kate neither felt "ready" nor "unready". And just like with having a baby, the unexpected was bound to happen...

27. Road Trip, Part 1 (May 2013)

            Kate did sleep, for a few hours, and awoke a few minutes before Mister came back to knock on the door. She still felt stuffy and angular all over her face, but she was refreshed for the present. “Where is everyone else?” she asked as he stepped in bearing a small plate of goodies.

            “Did you not get my message? Everyone else is at the reception. I called to see if you wanted to come join us.”

            Kate shook her head. Her phone had never rung. It was probably just as well, though. She had already said goodbye to everyone at the apartment, and she knew the reception would be a madhouse. So Kate and Mister gathered their few things from the Miller’s hotel room and made a quiet departure from Hillsdale in the pouring rain.

            The drive was about twelve hours, but it was fast and there was little traffic, even in the construction areas. Add a half hour for quick stops, and a half hour for when both Kate and Mister were too tired to drive and had to nap at a rest stop, and the couple arrived at the Wills’ Watertown residence between six and seven in the morning.

            Kate’s brother, James Wills, was awake and greeted them at the door with hugs and whispers. Two little girls, Kate and Rose, trotted in his wake. Kate, the 5-year-old, gave them discreet hugs and a whispered welcome then added, “Do you want to play a game?” Kate gave a weary laugh and declined, “Maybe later.”

Rose, the precocious 3-year-old also spoke in whispers, not from a respect for the bone-tired travelers, nor from the earliness of the morning, but from the excitement and importance of what she had to say. Her eyes flashed and her face had the look of one revealing a deep, dark secret, “We’re going to Canada today!” Kate grinned and whispered back, “We are too!”

"James Jr.": "What? Socks? Never heard of them."

            And so was the plan. But later. For the present, Kate and Mister stumbled to the back room and collapsed on the spare bed, which Kate pronounced the most comfortable bed she had ever touched…and then instantly fell asleep. A few more hours of repose, and the couple was up again for a late breakfast, the hurried sorting of things, and the packing of the van. The Wills had a 7-passenger van, and the crew would take up every seat!

            “James, jugga-bugga-BOO!” little Kate sang as she danced around her brother. “Are you ready to go to Canada?!” James Jr. was to have his first birthday during their stay up north, and was sitting ready in his car seat, contentedly pulling off his socks and waving them around as he watched everyone go back and forth.

Never were two little girls more excited about going to Canada. They helped pack and transport things, and then got in the open car and played for a full hour before the grown-ups were ready to leave.

ready to go to "Pin Severed Island!" 

             Rose crawled into the driver’s seat and yelled to the world, “We’re going to see Anne in Pin Severed Island!”

            “Rose,” corrected her sister, “It’s Prince Severed Island. Prince Severed Island.”

            Kelsey Wills set some snack bags in the car and laughed at both her daughters, “It’s actually Prince Edward Island, girls.”

            Kate wasn’t really sure how it happened, but eventually everyone and everything was in the car and, after a travel prayer, they were on their way! She and Mister were taking the first driving shift and were sitting up front, with the Wills crew crammed in back. Everything seemed fine and pleasant so far. Beethoven’s 9^th was playing, James and Kelsey were chatting, the girls were reading. They had been driving about an hour and a half. Kate looked at the map and exclaimed, “This is the bridge into Maine! I’ve never been to Maine before.”

            Mister grinned back at her, but his grin quickly faded. “Do you smell that?” he asked.

Miss some of the earlier Kate Miller episodes and want to find out what happened 6 months ago? Here are some links to the first 5 posts: 
1: A Day in the Life
2. The Longest Line
3. Ice Cream and Elephants
4. A Norwegian Paradise
5. Nassau, Bahamas

Kate Miller 26: Allergies

 This wasn't your normal, cutesy little sneeze and sniffle bout of allergies...this was a monster.

26. Allergies (May 2013)

            Ugh! Kate wrote fiercely in her journal. She underlined the word with swift, punchy strokes. Then she just sat there and stared at the word and the blank page. Once again, she was awake in the wee hours of the morning. This was the perfect time to catch up in her journal, and she could not think of a single thing to write! There was something like an elephant sitting on her nose, and how could one possibly think clearly like that? She rocked slowly to one side and then to the other trying to peer around the elephant and into her disorderly brain where she knew she would see her thoughts lying in untidy piles all over the floor. Nope. Completely blocked.

            The elephant’s name was Pollen, and Kate had been fighting him for the first few days of their stay outside of Hillsdale. But pregnancy made her doubly susceptible to her allergies, and when they took hold, it was with a vengeance. She moved vaguely to the kitchen for her third cup of hot tea. Back at the couch, she looked at the clock: 5:00AM, it said. It was almost morning, and not a wink of sleep! Kate closed her eyes and sank into middle despair. (The size of the elephant was too ludicrous for her to sink to the very depths.) Of all times to not sleep, why did it have to be this one? It was now Graduation Day, and that evening they would drive all through the night to get to Boston the next morning. Not good…not good…not good, she thought. There! That was a clear thought! She picked up her pen to write it down, and then realized that, clear or not, it was not a thought worth immortalizing with pen and paper.

            Around 6 o’clock, Kate went back to bed for an hour and slept a little. When she awoke again, she sneezed three times and used three tissues. She knew she shouldn’t, but she rubbed her eyes—they were so itchy! Her cheeks were itchy…then her ears…then her chin. She growled and shook her head and dashed to the bathroom to wash her face. The cool water softened the itchiness and brought relief. She lifted her face—it felt puffy and swollen and completely atrocious, but it looked mostly normal…except for the red streaks on her chin where she had scratched too vigorously. And this was how the new day was beginning! She would have to buck up and get a grip. Kate couldn’t exactly feel brave and strong, but she did manage to square her shoulders and give herself a wry smile.

            The rest of the morning was filled with packing and loading the car, and a hurried goodbye to her beloved college family, though the sadness was tempered by the promise of a visit after the baby was born. Their schedule was full: first, she and Mister would split up for coffee and breakfast dates, then meet back at Jake’s apartment with the rest of the Miller clan; then lunch and visiting, preparation for graduation, the ceremony, a quick bite to eat, and on the road to Boston! Kate felt like she was four years old again, standing at the top of the forty-foot high dive. But as they pulled out of the drive, she said only, “Here we go!”

the apartment: eating lunch from the deli

            Kate had a delicious visit with her old professor, and when she and Mister got to Jake’s apartment, lunch turned out to be sandwiches from Kate’s favorite deli across the street. Kate sank into a chair (one of the few furnishings) and munched her pastrami sandwich, grateful to not be sitting in a restaurant crowded with graduates and their families. She surreptitiously blew her nose into a napkin and wondered how she would make it through the day.

            “You look tired.” Mister said, giving her a hug when she stood up. “Once we’re done eating, we’ll all go to my parents’ hotel and you’ll take a nap while the rest of us are at graduation.” Kate, felt a weak protest arise: weren’t they here for the graduation? But there was finality in his voice, and she had no strength or energy to dispute.

            “That would be great,” she nodded.

            Once she was settled in the room, it was time for the others to leave to get seats. Kate sneezed, blew her nose, and turned on her side. Her next and last conscious thought was, I hope…I hope…I so desperately hope that I can sleep…

see the elephant? No? He's right THERE...

Kate Miller 25: Visiting the Alma Mater

Road tripping at 5 months pregnant might not be most people's idea of fun, but Kate had never been "most people." 

25. Visiting the Alma Mater

            It was a gray and dismal Tuesday morning. But, Mister had turned in his last paper for the year, so his semester was finished. And in a few hours, Kate and he would embark on the first of two lengthy summer trips. The car was packed, the water bottles filled, the gas tank full, the CDs and books stashed in conveniently reachable places. Kate loved road trips. Getting out of the city, seeing the countryside, having all that time to think or talk or listen to music. There was something so refreshing and reminiscent about it. And this would be an especially reminiscent trip because their first destination was Hillsdale College, where Mister and Kate had met and inexcusably taken three (plus) years to fall in love.

college days: studying with friends

It was strange to walk around campus, having it look so much the same, and yet feel so different. Finals were over, and the campus was high with giddy students recently freed from the bondage of homework, classes, and grades. Kate and Mister didn’t know any students at the college now, except for Jack, who was graduating that weekend, and Bettina, who was finishing her freshman year. And occasionally, they ran into some brothers or sisters of their own classmates, and it was pleasant to see them, but there was no doubt that Kate and Mister did not “own” campus as they once had. Kate and Mister were only guests now, even if familiar ones.

Kate ran into her old freshman dorm and down the hall. Bettina’s door was right next to her old room. She peeked inside and gave Bettina a big hug amid the chaos of end-of-semester organization and packing. The rooms had been completely redone, and were, without a doubt, much nicer than when Kate had arrived eight years ago. But she resisted the urge to comment on Bettina’s good luck. This is her college experience now, not mine. And it’s going to be different in more ways than just her dorm setup, Kate reminded herself.

college days: "Kate" and "Mister" swing dancing in Howard

Kate walked to Howard, the beautiful music building, and wandered all over. It was mostly deserted now, except for a few students practicing for the last recitals and concerts of the season. How well Kate remembered practicing for her own senior recital! Hours upon hours in these very rooms, hours of conversation on those couches. She took a deep breath. Everything smelled exactly the same, just as it should. Upstairs, she remembered her years of performing, attending concerts and classes, swing dancing, and goofing off with friends. There were serious talks, wild escapades, midnight practice sessions after hours, and the surprisingly pleasant memories of getting up very early and setting up in a corner to read and memorize Scripture.

As it was for most of their college experience, Mister and Kate followed their own reminiscences, meeting up periodically through the morning and afternoon, but at the end of the day, walking hand in hand. Though most professors weren’t in their offices, either by odd coincidence or divine providence, Kate was able to see and visit with all the professors that had been on her list. Kate and Mister ran into a favorite English professor and his wife outside the concert hall just before the orchestra finished. Neither couple had attended the concert, but both were there. How delightful it was to surprise them with her very obvious baby bump, to talk about normal life, to talk as friends. When they left, Kate slipped her hand through Mister’s strong arm and lifted her face to the evening breeze. It was fragrant and sharp, carrying old dreams and poignant remembrances. She smiled and said, “I like our life now.”

the flowering trees on graduation day

The morning of graduation day, Kate met one of her old music professors for coffee. She was a dear, quirky lady, who grew up on a Cherokee reservation and worked hard to make something of herself. When she saw Kate, she clapped her small round hands with delight and reached out to pat Kate’s tummy, but then paused, “Oh! May I?” she said, seriously. Kate consented with a laugh.

“I brought something for you—well, for the baby,” she corrected herself.

Kate pulled a hand knitted dark green sweater out of a bag. “Beautiful!” she exclaimed.

“I made this a few weeks ago, and I didn’t know who it was for. I just knew it was for someone. And then when I saw you the other night, I knew. It had to be for you!”

Kate reached over and squeezed her hand in thanks. “It’s wonderful. I love it.”

“Well! Tell me about everything…” Kate’s professor demanded jovially.

Kate talked about pregnancy, and teaching piano, and writing music, and writing stories, and about friends and changes. “It really is wonderful to be back,” she mused, “But I don’t miss it, you know. Not like I might have (or did) a couple years ago. I loved my time here and my friends and the fun we had and the work we did. But what I have now…” Kate thought of Mister and their home and their baby boy coming in the fall, “…what I have now is so much better.” 

Kate Miller 24: Remembering Boston / A Journal Entry

I did not, in fact, write these very words in my journal, but this is the compilation of the thoughts that I was thinking at the time, and they were all geared toward what I would want to tell my boy...and maybe what I will tell him someday, when something terrible happens. 

24. Remembering Boston / A Journal Entry (April, 2013)

Dear Son,

I have prayed that you would be an obedient boy, that you would love God, serve Him, and delight in our family. I have prayed for wisdom for myself, to be the best mother you could have…and yet, I know that sometimes I will make mistakes. But even as I make mistakes and (hopefully) apologize for them, I hope that you will understand and believe that I always want to do right by you, and point you to trust in the One who never makes mistakes and who gives you better gifts than I can.

This world is full of sin and evil, and there are many things that will hurt you. My desire is to protect you from these things, but I know that I cannot, since the root of these evils is in your own heart. But if you give your heart to our Lord and Maker, he will remake it so that it will not only be rid of those evil things, but it will be strong enough to survive being knocked around by this evil world until it finds rest in glory. And the new heart will not only survive but find joy in the midst of the evil. As your mother, I want to help you seek for that new heart, and to seek for the joy that can be found, even in the cruelest of circumstances. This is the only protection I can find for you in this world. I can’t force you to take it, but if you do, it will be enough.

I have been thinking about this now because something horrible and cruel and evil happened recently. Two days ago, your cousin Kate turned five. Five years holds a lot of good things. But there are bad things too, and on the same day that she started her sixth year, bad men put some bombs in the city where your cousins live (for now). They did this to purposely hurt people that they don’t know. They wanted all of America to be afraid of them, and their power, and their bombs. They thought that there is power in being able to hurt people. And in some ways, they were right and got their wish. Many people were hurt, and many people were afraid.

And now, a couple days later, these bad men have been hiding in the same neighborhood where your cousins are living. Do you think that they are afraid of the bad men? Yes, I think so. I have been afraid too, for a little bit. But your father and I and your aunts and uncles, we all use our new hearts to find joy and hope. The bad men cannot MAKE us afraid. We do not have to be afraid because even if we get hurt, we know that our hearts are new and that is what God cares about. He made our new hearts for himself, and He will take care of them. That is why we do not have to be afraid—because God takes perfect care of what belongs to Him.

I am sad for the mother of these bad men. She cannot believe that they would be so bad. And I know that I would probably be the same. In my head I know that you will be bad sometimes. But more than anything, I want you to learn to love goodness, and love  people and love life in a way that these bad men never learned. There is a little power in being able to hurt people, but there is much power in kindness. Having compassion takes strength. It is easy to see what will hurt others, but only those who have extraordinary vision are able to see how to help others. I will add to my prayers for you that you will be strong and kind and that God will give you a new heart with this amazing sight that looks for ways to help others.

With all my love,

            Your Mother

Beyonders book 3: Chasing the Prophecy - by Brandon Mull

My husband and I preordered this book, partly because it was a good deal, and partly because we enjoyed the previous two so much. This one struck me as different—not necessarily worse, or bad, just different than I expected, especially in the beginning and end of the book.

The first thing that is clearly different is that the reader starts the book already knowing the story. In the end of the second book, Seeds ofRebellion, we are left with a prophecy showing the “only” way that the rebellion could succeed in defeating the evil, power hungry emperor, Maldor. This third book is only really worth reading to find out just how the prophecy is fulfilled, not if it is fulfilled (despite it clearly being a shot in the dark for the rebellion). Because of this, the reader starts knowing the ending, and a couple small clues for specifics along the way. The book does, in fact, embody the old proverb “the joy is in the journey.” I think this is part of the reason it took me longer to really get into this story than the previous books: there were simply fewer surprises along the way.

The prophecy says that in order to succeed, the Galloran and his team will have to split. One group seeks a piece of lost information, and the other group gathers an army for a direct attack on Felrook, Maldor’s castle built on a high, rock island. The Beyonders are also split. Jason heads off to look for obscure information in an old library, and Rachel (who is now incredibly powerful with Edomic, the language of magic), joins the crew to attack Felrook.

The second main difference is only noticeable because I was expecting something different. In the previous books, almost every chapter introduced some interesting new creature, plant, language, or system unique to Lyrian. I always thought these “inventions” were fun and interesting and I expected them in similar proliferation in this third book. But Chasing the Prophecy is different. It builds more on what Brandon Mull already set up in the previous books. Even though he certainly introduces new creatures, the surprises in this book are of a different kind, and less frequent. They come in the fulfillment of the prophecy, the twists of fate, the necessary deaths, and the clever solutions to seemingly impossible problems.

I will not go through the storyline of the book, because anyone who read Seeds of Rebellion will have a pretty good idea of the structure of the story, and the details, as I said, are the source of the delightful surprises.

At just over 500 pages, I did not find this book too long. Yet it was too long to be impressively good. To be sure, the second half of the book clipped along steadily with the twists and turns of plot. It is the first half that I suspect Mull could have cut down and sped up. But why have a short best-seller when you can have a long one? It’s not Harry Potter, but there was already enough interest to ensure the book’s success. If there had been only moderate interest, or Mull had been a less popular author, I expect his editors would have taken much greater care with his beginning and ending. Evens so, the book is enjoyable; just not a great as I had hoped.

The ending is where I felt truly disappointed. The last page is a letter from Jason to his parents which Rachel takes with her back to their world. (A little spoiler right there. Yes, Rachel returns home and Jason doesn’t.) The letter is meant to wrap things up and let Jason’s parents know that he is still alive, and cares about them, even if he never wants to come home again. But the way the letter is written, most parents would prefer to go on believing that their son had died in a freak accident (being swallowed by a hippo). Receiving this letter would probably leave them wondering if some prank were being played on them, if Jason was alive somewhere in the world, if he was crazy and being kept in some asylum somewhere. Jason, after all his courageous acts, and all his creative thinking, writing from his noble heart to reassure his parents, would never write a letter like this.

The entire book is a great, epic story with a fun surprising resolution to the many problems it presents, and I cannot possibly give it a bad review. It’s fun and I wholeheartedly recommend the entire series. But after a glorious victory, the ending in the Epilogue left a bad taste in my mouth. If you can stomach it, I would just recommend not reading the Epilogue. It’s not really necessary, but if you must read it, avoid reading Jason’s letter to his parents. Instead, savor the triumphant victory, the hero’s sacrifices, the cleverness and goodness of those who succeeded. That is the real, and better ending to the story. 

Kate Miller 23: The Doctor, Part 2

I'm sorry for the long break in posting my "journal" entries! We have been travelling a lot (which you will read about when I catch up on the in-between posts.) But here I am, finally, with the next post, and the answer to that all-important question: boy or girl?

Boy or girl? Boy or girl? Since "being" had already been clearly established, boy or girl was now the question!

23. The Doctor, Part 2 (April, 2013)

            Kate hated going to the doctor, mostly because of experience, and the rest on principle. But there was no getting around the fact that, this morning, she was excited. Not only that, but she had been counting down the days to this, April 12, as if it were Christmas! And in a way it was, for a new baby was coming…even if not that particular day. And the exciting gift that she and Mister would be given was knowledge of just what sort of baby it would be! The question she had mused over in her journal a couple weeks before would be answered: Boy or girl?

            At first, Kate and Mister both clearly desired to have a boy, but by the morning of April 12, Kate felt that she had almost no preference at all. She would be absolutely delighted with either a son or a daughter, and the joy would be in finally being able to imagine specific things about their future together. She wondered happily if she would be spending more time having tea parties or mock battles. Of course, they weren’t mutually exclusive, but there was no doubt that boys and girls had distinctive preferences and delights. If he was a boy, she would want him to be gentlemanly and strong and confident in courtesy. If she was a girl, Kate would want to train her to be gentle (without being weak), resourceful, and courageous in self sacrifice.

            When she and Mister got into the car after breakfast, they grinned at each other. “Are you ready for this?” Kate asked.

            “You bet.” There was no awkwardness or shyness. Mister was looking forward to this just as much as Kate.

            Walking in, the office felt too routine. Shouldn’t there have been at least a band playing? Perhaps some confetti and cake? No, there was only the standard query for a name, and the pulling out of a file.

Kate preempted, “And I still have the same address and insurance...” but the receptionist read off her address and insurance anyway, and looked at her expectantly. Why did they always do that?

“Yes!” Kate said again, impatiently.

Since they were there close to opening time, they did not have to wait very long. When her name was called, Kate practically levitated (as much as a twenty-week pregnant lady could) out of her seat. Mister calmly closed his book and stood in the usual fashion. But he was right behind her as she followed the nurse back to the sonogram room. Jenny was there again.

“Hello!” she said cheerfully, “Twenty weeks, huh? You’re looking great!” She spread the covering over Kate’s belly, got her tools ready, and looked back and forth between Mister and Kate and said, “So, do you want to find out…”

“Yes!” interrupted Kate.

Jenny laughed and said, “Okay! Let’s hope Baby is in a good position today.”

She found the head quickly, near the top, on Kate’s right side. “It’s no problem to be breech at this point,” she reassured them, “they always swim around and shift a lot.” Kate and Mister got to see their baby’s face, and nose, and arms. A little hand came up to the face and went into the mouth and out again. Jenny pointed to a colorful spot moving on the screen, “See that?” she said, “Your baby’s eating! He just swallowed and you can see the fluid going down into his body.” She traced the line with her finger. Kate looked at Mister and glowed. Measurements were perfect, and everything looked as healthy as could be.

Jenny moved the sensor around and took pictures of the feet, and the legs, and in between the legs…there was no doubt at all. He was in a great position, and Kate knew before Jenny said anything. He was a boy. A boy!!! 

When Kate and Mister got back in the car after the appointment, Kate had an overwhelming sense of awe and joy and responsibility. She looked at Mister and whispered, “We have a son!” 

Kate Miller 22: Cravings Part Two

22. Cravings Part Two (April 2013)

            The house had been empty for two whole days, and Kate was still recovering from her after-party slump. Of course it was always wonderful to have the extra time with Mister, but she did so hate to see everyone go. But today was going to be exciting! She had gotten tickets for the two of them to go see the National Symphony Orchestra, which was playing a Chopin piano concerto (romantic delight!), and a Dvorak symphony (rousing the giants!) that very night.

             It was a slow Friday and Kate bustled around getting things done: cleaning the kitchen, vacuuming, sweeping the tile. Finally, she decided to sit down for a breather and read. But at the last moment, instead of reaching for Out of the Silent Planet, which she was rereading for the third time, she instead pulled out a Chinese cookbook that she had brought back from the house in Florida. She snuggled up with Mister on the couch and opened it to the first page. It was springtime, and everything was fresh and new and it was one of those times to do things from the beginning. She read the introduction, and then the several pages that described four different styles of Chinese cooking. She gradually started flipping through the recipes and recognized that the Szechwan style generally caught her eye more than many of the others. Her tummy rumbled as she read over lists of ingredients: garlic, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger…

She looked at the clock. It was too late to go to the store and make one of these amazing dishes. But she just had to have some tonight! It almost seemed as if she wouldn’t be able to eat at all if it wasn’t some kind of Chinese food. She looked down at the book, then up at Mister, who was looking at his book. She moved her face closer…closer…finally he looked up.

“You want something?” he asked suspiciously.

“Just wondering when we have to leave for the concert…and thinking about dinner.”

“What were you thinking about it?”

Kate grinned. She knew it was silly, but she really wanted Chinese food. “Can we go out to a Chinese place beforehand?” she asked bluntly.

Mister glanced at her cookbook and chuckled. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

She nodded and bit the corner of her lower lip.

Mala Tong was a restaurant in Arlington, which was a new place for both of them, and had the distinction of being listed with the “100 best places to eat in DC”, with more stars and fewer dollar marks than any other Asian restaurant. Traffic was bad, and Kate had an uneasy feeling that they might end up stopping at any old Chinese joint and ordering takeout to eat on the balcony at the Kennedy Center. But they made it to the restaurant and had time to sit down and order. “And it’s a Szechwan restaurant!” Kate had exclaimed when they arrived. “This is exactly what I wanted!” Kate ordered a mess of pork and garlic sauce, and when it came…oh, the bliss! The sauce! The flavors! Kate and Mister were sitting at the bar, and Kate beamed at the large, unsmiling, gangster-looking barman opposite her. She took another bite and laughed.

“This is SO good!” she said to no one in particular.

But Mister laughed with her, sharing her joy.

The concert was grand, even though the romantic Chopin and rousing Dvorak were preceded by a modern composer that no one would have stayed for had he been later in the program. When Kate and Mister got home, late that night, she reheated what was left of her dinner and sat down in their kitchen. Taking a bite, she said, “Wow. Amazing! Even reheated!”

A couple weeks before, Mom Miller had taken Kate shopping at the H-Mart and had bought her a brand new, large, purple wok. This was especially convenient with all the company, because Kate didn’t have another pan that would hold enough for everyone. And for the week following the concert, the purple wok (though cooking only for two) became Kate’s new favorite kitchen appliance. It appeared every day on the stove for chicken chow mein, beef and corn, broccoli stir fry, and several other brand new dishes.

“I like it when you have cravings,” Mister said one evening. “You just go out and learn to make whatever it is you want. It’s so…brave! And a good deal for me.” He grinned and got up for more.