Today, for us, Virginia began in Gloucester. It was here that we were pleased to visit with the chief of Gloucester Fire and Rescue, Chief J.D. Clements.
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| Juliann, Choice, Shiloh, Fire Chief, Tate, and Ryder |
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| Juliann, Choice, Shiloh, Fire Chief, Tate, and Ryder |
Due to his department being comprised of volunteer members, Chief Clements explained to us the process that went into making their donation to the GMIHC 19 families.
"Because we are a nonprofit, we didn't feel that it was appropriate to make a donation with the money that was donated to us. So we decided to pass a boot around and the individual members of our department reached in to their own pockets to donate."
This is the value system and integrity of the fire family. If one of their brothers or sisters lose their life in the line of duty, they encircle his or her family in love, support and strength. I have been the recipient of this compassion over and over again. It is my place within the fire family that gives me a sense of courage and identity often times.
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| Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, Fire Chief, Tate, and Ryder |
It is a similar situation for the children of these fallen firefighters. It doesn't matter what state we are in, what type of firefighting crew we may be visiting, whether or not we have ever met them before... they treat the kids as if they were their own simply because their Dad was a firefighter. It is what these heroes do for one another. There is a sense of unity unlike anything I have ever before witnessed.
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| Shiloh, Tate, Ryder, and the Fire Chief |
The kids were excited to give Chief Clements the pictures they'd drawn for him, as well as thank you cards and be better bands. He in return gave each of them coloring books, stickers, and toy fire helmets from Gloucester Fire and Rescue.
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| Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, and the Fire Chief |
We didn't stay too long as he was only there to meet with us. We were blessed to be able to spend this time together today and learn from Chief Clements about true kindness and generosity.
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| Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder |
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| Choice, Tate, Juliann, Ryder, and Shiloh |
We made our way down beautiful downtown Gloucester and back to the bus. There were many more things we were hoping to accomplish today.
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| Tate |
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| Juliann, Tate, Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh |
To get to the next destination, we had to play chicken again with more low clearance bridges. I am feeling a tad light headed from all of the times I've held my breath today.
The drive was incredibly gorgeous though. I just can't get over the greenery and the changing of the leaves.
We made our way to Richmond, for the second visit we had planned for today. It was another surprise visit for the family. I always feel a tad guilty popping in on people unannounced, but I'd rather deliver thanks to them than nothing at all. We arrived in Richmond this afternoon to do just that.
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| Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Tate and Jason |
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| Choice and Jason |
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| Choice |
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| Choice |
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| Rusty and Choice |
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| Ryder and Choice |
Virginia really does its best to keep buses out. There was absolutely no way to get the bus all the way into the neighborhood. Instead, we parked about a half mile away and walked the remainder of the way to their home. Hopefully the neighbors didn't mind us making the trek through their yard.
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| Tate, Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, and Jason |
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| Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Tate, Choice, Shiloh, and Ryder |
We tried to be sneaky. It worked out alright until Ryder biffed it and made some serious noise in the process. Our only hope was that if we were busted for trespassing, they may take sympathy on Ryder for his war wound.
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| Ryder |
Our arrival on the doorstep for our visit was no more expected by this family than if we'd been caught trespassing by the neighbors. Yet, we knocked nonetheless, anxiously waiting to see if Mary Louise answered the door.
It wasn't Mary Louise, but it was the correct house. Since the time of her thoughtful donation, she has moved into an assisted living facility. Her daughter, whom we chatted with briefly at the doorstep, was kind enough to volunteer to take the card and be better band to her. I hope it will brighten her day just as her initial contact with our family brightened ours.
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| Choice, Juliann, Ryder, and Tate |
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| Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, Juliann, and Tate |
The area surrounding their neighborhood was so lush and green. It sat right on a creek and created a beautiful setting for the kids and Rusty to run around and enjoy some fresh air.
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| Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Jason |
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| Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate |
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| Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate |
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| Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Jason |
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| Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Juliann |
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| Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Juliann |
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| Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice |
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| Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder |
They call Virginia the Land for Lovers. On our way to the American Civil War Center, we happened upon this awesome sign...reminding us simply, to LOVE.
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| Shiloh, Tate, Choice, and Ryder |
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| Juliann and Jason |
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| Tate, Jason, Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, and Ryder |
Downtown Richmond was so rich in history. Right along this river was the American Civil War Center.
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| Richmond |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Choice |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Choice |
Out front on display there were several canons that were centuries old. Perhaps I shouldn't have allowed the kids to crawl all over them, however, canons aren't exactly known for being fragile.
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| Choice and Tate |
I was glad the kiddos hadn't yet learned how to load and aim these massive war machines.
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| Juliann, Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Juliann, Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Jason, Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh |
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| Jason, Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh |
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| Tate |
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| Choice and Tate |
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| Choice, Shiloh, and Juliann |
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| Ryder and Shiloh |
There are three stories to this museum. On the second level there are several kid friendly exhibits that help them to learn what the times were like during the Civil War era.
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| Tate |
They had a patchwork quilt on display that had been handcrafted by kids in the Richmond area. It depicted their thoughts of what their favorite things are to do in Virginia.
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| Choice, Shiloh, and Tate |
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| Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder |
It even had an area with grownups favorite things to do.
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| Juliann and Jason |
The wonderful volunteers within the museum taught us all about canons and what went in to cleaning them and loading them. Fascinating information and really neat to see weaponry from that time period. It was even more incredible to see it in the very building that was the Iron Works building during the time of the Civil War. This very building is where the canons and ammunition were made and sent all over the surrounding states.
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| Juliann, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh |
Our favorite part of the museum was the dress up room. There you could find clothing from the colonial era to try on. The kids had a blast and I had just as much fun documenting it. Their Nikes and Converse didn't quite fit in to the picture.
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| Ryder |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Jason |
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| Jason |
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| Jason , Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Jason, Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Jason, Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Juliann, Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Juliann, Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Juliann and Jason |
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| Juliann, Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Juliann and Jason |
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| Juliann and Jason |
Having perfected the art of silliness, we thought we'd sign the kids up for the traveling circus...
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| Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice |
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| Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice |
They didn't last too long before it was time for one of the three dozens potty breaks of the day.
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| Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, and Tate |
Once everyone had taken care of business, we were on our way to our final Virginia destination of the day...Williamsburg. What makes it so amazing is the history of the town's beginning.
Williamsburg, capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1780, is known for the significant role it played in the American Revolution. In the state’s southeast, it forms what's called the Historic Triangle together with Jamestown and Yorktown. Its heart is Colonial Williamsburg, a historic district and living-history museum where actors in period costume depict day-to-day Colonial life in the streets, restored stores and workshops.
We were eager to see it at night because of it's well known ghost tours and rumors of it being haunted. We thought it would make for an interesting twist in our tour.
On the drive from Richmond to Williamsburg, we witnessed a spectacular sunset.
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| Tate |
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| Juliann and Shiloh |
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| Juliann |
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| Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice |
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| Tate, Ryder, Shiloh, Rusty, Jason, and Choice |
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| Rusty, Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh |
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| Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder |
Even though the ghost tours had sold out for the evening, we had our fair share of frightening moments walking up and down the streets of historic Williamsburg. They do not allow motorized vehicles which made it feel like you are stepping back in time.
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| Juliann, Tate, Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, and Jason |
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| Juliann, Tate, Choice, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Juliann, Tate, Choice, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Shiloh and Jason |
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| Tate, Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Tate, Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Choice, Ryder, Jason, Choice, and Shiloh |
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| Tate, Jason, Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh |
We walked up and down the quiet streets, going in and out of colonial shops and homes that are set up as if still in the colonial era.
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| Juliann and Jason |
As we tucked the kids in bed, I was thinking of the glimpses into history Virginia had provided us. Further, I thought of the way many of these places play with the concept of time and space. By simply changing the dress, the decor, the mannerisms, and the allowance of technology, they are able to create whatever frame of mind and culture they so choose. What an incredible phenomena. If this alteration of reality is possible, how can we apply this concept into our own lives?
Obviously most of us will not try to warp our reality into an entirely different era, but what of changing our lives for the better? Are we afraid of change? Are we scared of going against the grain or stepping outside of our comfort zones?
If we can conquer our fear of changing and facing the unknown, we will find a vast world of opportunities awaiting us. For those who are considering a leap of faith or a redirection in their life course, here are four questions to ponder...
I say GO FOR IT! Find what makes you the most satisfied and blissfully happy, and create more of it in your life. As Abraham Lincoln taught, "It is not the years in your life that count but the life in your years". If we change our "normal" we can change the world...one wild and crazy idea at a time.
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