Annapolis -- Amazing Grace

State Capital of Maryland, home the Naval Academy, and a sailor's gateway to the Chesapeake Bay, Porter and I recently spent a Saturday in Annapolis invited by some Richmond friends.  Porter and I had a wicked good time with our friends, the Cantrell's,  who shined a spotlight on fun and brought a a great deal of happiness to Porter.

Caley's dad is a retired Rear Admiral and a delight at 86.  Admiral Shaffer touched my heart as he engaged with Porter and shared his knowledge and nautical antiques with Porter.  Of great interest was a antique flare gun.  Admiral Shaffer took us over to the "yard" where we watched a recruiting video for the The Naval Academy.  Porter was not ready to sign up, but it captured his attention.

Afterwards we headed to LeJeune Hall to watch some swimming.  Georgia was finishing up a week of Navy swim camp.  Porter and I watched swimming which I am used to doing but Porter rarely sits in the bleachers of a swim meet anymore.  He behaved well enough while we watched the swim camp finish up with a swim meet between the Blue and the Gold.

We had a tour quick tour Bancroft Hall and had lunch there before heading the gift shop.  Bling, bling, bling!  Caley spoiled Porter by getting him a Navy swimming tee shirt.  His mom caved and got him a Navy pillow pet which Frazer has.

Next up was the Naval History Museum, Preble Hall.  Wow!  Pretty thorough history of our country's early days as naval warfare became a part of our way of life and the artifacts really interested Porter.  He particularly enjoyed the swords and weapons.  Admiral Shaffer demonstrated such kindness as he shared stories with me and wisely understood that Porter would look at what he liked -- not listening unless piqued.  I appreciated Admiral Shaffer's sensitivity.  He was a gentle soul reminding me of my late maternal grandfather, The Hon. William Bruce Evans, who was a Lieutenant Commander in the Pacific during WWII.  The second floor of the museum is filled with incredible deck/yard models of ships which were built concurrent to the ship being built.  There was an entire section devoted to prisoners of war who designed and constructed, from memory, models made from scrap food bones.  It was truly remarkable. We finished our time with a driving tour of the yard.

Afterwards, we headed to Admiral Shaffer's where Caley and I relaxed looking out onto the bay while Sean took Porter on an excursion.  Bottle rockets and quad copter -- Sean spoiled Porter rotten and they both loved every minute.  Sean is one of those friends who steps up.  He has given Dell summer employment and is teaching him a ton about commitment, hard work and recycling.  His kindness to Porter turned this summer around for the little guy.  That quad copter has become Porter's way to share with other kids at the Inn as well as show off.  The huge two story atrium has had many adults stop and admire his flying abilities.

Admiral Shaffer took us all to dinner as well as Caley's brother Doug and his daughter Genvieve.  More fun, great food, and feeling welcome, Porter and I relaxed.

As we headed back to Bethesda, Porter and I reflected on the love the Cantrell's and Shaffer's shared with us.  We felt a greater sense of longing for our family.  It was a longing based on knowing family and love, not of isolation.  We had a chance to bear witness the banal parts of everyday life that combined with the whole and with kindness can really make things better.  Our gratitude lingers.

So many people have reached out to us as we manage our time apart.  It is an odd existence.  I went from managing three kids daily and one remotely to managing only one kid daily and two remotely and one I can visit.  A chance to be in the midst of family, to be generously treated to laughter and fun is an act of grace.  I think it is easy for kids to experience grace -- Porter was not conflicted about Sean's and Caley's gifts.  I had to mentally let go and be in that moment -- of not fighting off kindness.  In many ways, so much feels out of control.  Watching things unfold for Frazer, knowing Houlder and Dell head to school in less than two months, missing our pets, our home -- William -- the natural force of motion rolling ahead.  While Porter and I are in encapsulated in life here, for a day we had grace and I am bringing that with me as much as possible everyday.