I have been around the world in three days. Well, maybe not the whole world, though it seemed that way at times. I went on a whirlwind three-day tour of Washington, D.C. with my daughters eighth-grade class, and learned a lot along the way.
On day one, we left Dalton and headed east for DC. I was impressed with how well the kids got along with each other in such tight quarters on the bus. The worst the girls did was giggle too loudly and eat too much junk food.
I cant remember everything we saw on day one. Its more like a blur in my mind than a crisp picture in focus. I do remember walking a lot. We toured the U.S. Capitol and took a group picture in front of the building. Then we rode the Metro to Arlington National Cemetery.
We made the long walk uphill to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The guards were so impressive, and our kids seemed to take it very seriously, which was nice to see. We watched the Changing of the Guard and witnessed the Air Force do a Missing Man formation flyover which was utterly moving.
On day two, we started out at 8 a.m. and didnt return to the hotel until 10:30 that night. In-between, we walked and walked. We saw the White House from the outside, toured two of the Smithsonian museums and walked solemnly through the Holocaust Museum.
That evening we ate supper at the Hard Rock Café and toured the monuments when they were all lit up with glowing lights that contrasted with the dark night sky. It was beautiful.
And on day three, I humiliated myself by falling flat on my rear in the breakfast nook. I scooched over to get up from my table, as if I were sitting on a bench, only to realize that I was sitting on a chair and the floor broke my fall. I got over it, and everyone had a good laugh.
Then we headed for home completely exhausted and utterly blessed. We saw so much on this whirlwind tour I can hardly imagine what the kids will remember years from now. But I think I know.
I think they will remember the laughter and the joy. They took so many pictures at every building and monument, and had so much fun just being together in a big city.
I think they will remember seeing the best our nation has to offer, the honor with which the guards protect the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the monuments honoring our soldiers and presidents of past, and the sorrow we felt in the Holocaust Museum.
I think they will remember the street performer who played the saxophone outside the Hard Rock Café as the kids sang along to The Star-Spangled Banner and Jesus Loves Me.
I know I will never forget that.
And I think they will remember the friendships they shared as they experienced a once in a lifetime tour of our nations capitol.
I have been around the world in three days and have memories that will last a lifetime. And maybe thats what its all about.
Note: Notice no mention of a forgotten suitcase, a 5 a.m. wake-up call or a chaperone gathering late Thursday night. You can ALL thank me later.
