Sadness Looms, Adventure Zooms

Distance Travelled: 555 kms

Highlights: waking up feeling refreshed and ready for the day, a close encounter with a spray airplane, searching for both lunch and a campsite

Jericho's fave: the airplane!!

Malachi's fave: watching a few more trains

You are Where? Portage La Prairie, MB!!

Not long after we woke up this morning, I went on my phone and learned that my younger cousin, Michael, had passed away in his sleep. I called my Mom right away and asked her to confirm it and she did. Within 30 minutes I heard from both my brothers and my best friend. Now, he lived in Kamloops and before I was married, we travelled every year at Christmastime to visit him and his family. I don't get to see everyone as much as I'd like to now, but with Facebook, I saw what Michael was excited about or discouraged with. We had a kinship when it came to our Vancouver Canucks. I don't know many people besides myself who love them more than I do. Mike was a big guy with an even bigger heart, if that's possible. I always had an appreciation for the way he interacted with his Mom. He was a great son.

I'm still in a bit of shock as this happened suddenly and I still don't know why or how. But I am holding up his Mom, Dad, brothers, and sister-in-law Amanda in my prayers. I don't know what to do about the service as I wish to be there with my family, but I'm in the middle of this journey with my family and I feel stuck. We've spoken briefly about what may happen, but it's hard to make plans when we don't know the timing of such things. If it works out, I would love to travel back to BC for a day and be with my family and hug my aunt. If not, there will be plenty of people there to love on her and as she loves letters, I will write the longest condolence letter I can. Pray that I can make the right decision.

In spite of all the commotion in my head during this tragedy, we are still well. We enjoyed a late breakfast and pressed onwards to Manitoba. In spite of what everyone says about Saskatchewan, I found it incredibly scenic. Their provincial slogan of "Land of the Living Skies" really is appropriate. The sunset I saw last night took my breath away. The canola flowers laid out beneath the blue, cloud-filled sky is like a painting. I don't think I saw a single wheat field, but it may still be early. The twists and turns in the road were much more adventurous than what I had pictured.

And now I am in the birth-Province of my Mother. It feels surreal. This is where she was born and raised. It feels like another country almost. So different from what I know as home. I am sitting outdoors at 10:23 pm and not a single mosquito bite have I received this evening! Is this really Manitoba? It's a beautiful night - warm with a slight breeze. The trees are singing a rustling song. Almost like a lullaby.

The boys were pretty good today, but we did lose both iPod's down the sides of the bench seat. It took Nate awhile to find mine so we're working to find a solution to that problem. It would be easy to say "no more iPods," but I sometimes enjoy the rumbling silence.

We had to buy Jericho new shoes today. As I threw out the old ones I realized how baby-ish they looked compared to the ones he now owns. How can this child be growing up so fast? My brain cannot comprehend the thought that he will be attending kindergarten in the Fall. A few times on this trip I have caught myself staring at him, wondering where he came from. I honestly think he is one of the most beautiful kids I have ever set eyes on. His brother is adorable, but he is simply beautiful. And the way he talks to adults!!

"Excuse me, why did that family not eat their dessert?"

"Hello! I have a sabre-tooth Tiger from the Dinosaur Museum"

And as we were frantically trying to find a campsite tonight, he looked at a hotel as we drove passed and exclaimed that it looked familiar. He even knew what familiar meant.

Tomorrow our plan is to get to Dryden. The boys are very excited at the prospect of catching up with faraway G'ma and G'pa!! We were hoping to be able to catch Rachel in Winkler somehow, but it may be too far out of the way, which makes me sad.

Anyway, I am tired and think I did just feel a mosquito so I think I will leave you until tomorrow...