West Virginia Roadtrip – The Idea

What I am about to tell you is a true story. I not only witnessed it, I was a part of it. No names have been changed to protect the innocent and all the details are true.

We just survived…nay, THRIVED…a 16 hour, 874.3 mile road trip with a 2 year old, a 4 year old, a 6 year old, and an 86 year old.

True Story.

I know, I wouldn’t believe me either, but it actually happened.

Let me share the story with you…

My Papa was born and raised in West Virginia. He and my grandma were both children of large families so there are a lot of great uncles, aunts, and cousins, and most of the surviving ones still live in West Virginia. As a kid, it was pretty normal for Grandma and Papa to take trips up to see relatives and visit the “homeplace” but those trips grew fewer and fewer as they got older and then stopped completely when my grandma’s health began to decline.

As we cared for her in her last weeks before heaven, I began to have a burden for my Papa and wondered how I could help him heal after she would pass. One night, as Papa and I were talking about old pictures and places, I half jokingly said “come on, Papa, let’s go to West Virginia” and he teasingly replied, “ok, I’ll pack.” But the idea stuck with me and I began discussing it with Michael who agreed that it would be neat to take a trip. The thought of the trip also stuck with Papa who began seriously considering it.

As it began to evolve from a joke to a real idea, Grandma continued to sharply decline.

One night, as I stayed with her, I was polishing her fingernails and talking to her and I promised her that I would take good care of Papa and not to worry about him. I even said that we were thinking about taking him to West Virginia if he was up for it. She never responded except with a raised eyebrow but I hope she heard me. Later, Papa told me that he had also talked to her about it.

Days later, she went to heaven and no more was said about the trip for a while.

Then it came up in conversation again and we decided that if we were going to go, we would wait out the Summer and see how Papa was feeling in early Fall. He would need to be in good health to make a trip of that magnitude. The whole idea of the trip was put on hold at one point because he had a serious health crisis which robbed him of his strength for a while. Thankfully, he recovered very well and his doctors cleared him to go and he was feeling good again.

After talking about it at length with my dad and mom, we chose to move forward with this crazy idea and the wheels were set in motion.

And it was one of the best decisions we have ever made…

About the Author

Holly

I am a homeschooling, stay at home mom of four amazing humans which I co-created with the help of my husband of 15+ years, Michael. We love family, good food, big laughs, and getting into trouble together. We have no idea what we are doing, but we love each other and we love Jesus!

"We may not have it all together; but together, we have everything."

4 thoughts on “West Virginia Roadtrip – The Idea

  1. I couldn’t be happier that y’all took Dad on this adventure!! He is having such a great time with everyone!!
    Thank-you Holly and Michael from the bottom of my heart for the love and caring of Dad. He’s a special man. A one of a kind.
    ❤️❤️❤️❤️

  2. You know my feelings about your trip and the blessing it would be for your Grandpa. I have urged and encouraged it at EVERY mention. I am thrilled that everything is working out so well! Your grandparents were very special and dear friends to Ms Lib and I. We always enjoyed sharing traveling tales especially when the destinations included the Carolina’s, Western Maryland and West Virginia. Thank you for taking the time and energy to include my friend in your travels and to tour and meet your “Withrow” roots!❤️????????

  3. Thank you and Micheal so much, this trip and getting to seeing things and Family is really helping Uncle
    Paul very much.. the children are a blessing, and having a great time!

  4. It has been really great to see all the pictures you have been sharing on Facebook. It looks like Uncle Paul is having a wonderful time. I am glad that things worked out so that you could make the trip.

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