Cape Cod

Seven people bound for Orleans, MA left Washington D.C on a sunny day at the end of June. It was a long, exhausted 12 hour journey to the final destination. We were cramped, restless, hungry, and excited about what lay ahead. At times there was a lot going on; traffic jam, fireworks display, a movie playing on the portable DVD player, and phone conversations. At other times it was my sister driving, lots of people sleeping, and me awake in the back, squished amongst sleeping kids. At around 3 AM we made it! I think we woke up all of the guests as we charged for the rooms and went to bed.
The week was a lot of fun. We went boogie boarding, shopped at the flea market, cruised around P-Town, played a lot of golf toss, saw more fireworks, went to the national seashore museum, and played many card games. There were also moments of truth that didn't feel so great.
I saw my niece be ostracised by her own Dad, I saw a family somewhat divided, I saw an unhealthy relationship between a father and his son. I wish I could change these things, but it will take more than me opening my mouth. Tony is a good person, but he treats his children unfairly. While Sydney gets the world from him, Ian is getting made fun of by him, Brooke is being ignored and Mason is everything to him. It is very obvious and it makes the rest of us uncomfortable. I told mt sister how I felt. My Mom called Liz a few days after we returned from the Cape. She said that my sister was an amazing woman and she deserved to be treated like one. She said that she liked Tony, but that things needed to change. He needs to be more a part of the parenting. He needs to show himself more. Liz agreed and she talked to Tony about some of her concerns. That was a few days ago, and already, he is taking Ian out fishing, as I type this. So, we will see.
I am hopeful about the kind of father Tony wants to be and the type of family he wants to be a part of. I think he wants to make changes and that he doesn't want to loose my sister.
On another note, I continue to roam about the states. I returned here to MD for a few days, before heading out to San Diego on Sunday. Liz is taking me out to dinner for my b-day tonight. Tomorrow we are going to see the Orioles play the White Sox. I head out Sunday, closing the family portion of this journey for a bit, and opening up the friends and more portion. I feel like I am just floating*