I always try to encourage my children and others to follow their hopes and dreams.  In doing so, my son, Sean, chose to attend Notre Dame, a school know for academic excellence AND sports.  

I am just now recovering from my 7 day road trip to Notre Dame, Indiana.  While I was gone, Gary Woltal decided to me-me me.  He inspires me most of the time, but this me-me was a challenge because this trip was REALLY long since 

I don't always choose to go the quickest route on a trip.  3 of the 7 days were used for dorm check in and orientations - that included parents.   By the way,   

I never plan my trips months in advance.  On the day we left, I decided to avoid the thunderstorms that were going through Texas, OK, MO and AK.  Coming back, I decided to avoid the rain from Tropical Storm Faye that was soaking Louisiana and Mississippi.

I have been awed at many of the sites that I saw along the way.

I think many of us take for granted how blessed we are to live in the United States. In fact,

I sing America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner in my head whenever I find myself reflecting upon all the wonderful things that that I saw as I drove through 9 different states in the 7 days. 

I wish that I had had more time to stop and take pictures along the way.          

I want spend more time in many of the places that I drove through on the way. 

I smell the fresh cut grass in the farm fields of Indiana. 

I search for more pictures of Meridian Street in Indianapolis.  I think it probably the most beautiful residential street along a main road that I've ever driven down. 

I regret I didn't have time to stop and take pictures of the amber waves of grain in the fields of Indiana.  I regret that I didn't have time to tour the Churchhill Down's Race Track in Kentucky.  I regret that we had to skip touring the caves in Kentucky.  I regret that I didn't have time to look up some of the people that I've met on AR that live in the states that I went through. 

I hate that I didn't have time to stop and take pictures along the way.  Had we done so, we never would have gotten to the Notre Dame campus.   

I just admire the fact that Notre Dame's new buildings match their old buildings. 

I believe there is a story behind every building. 

I read that the Main Building at Notre Dame, with it's golden dome, is the "world's most recognized campus landmark."  

I win whenever I take the time to stop and smell the roses. 

I forget that Texas A&M is not the only university that LOVES their band.     

I feel very blessed that my son chose Notre Dame, a private Catholic university.     

I hear that every dorm at Notre Dame has a chapel in it. 

I'm happy about Sean being at a school that is NOT known for partying. 

I'm scared of something bad happening to one of my children or family members.  However, the Christian/Catholic spirit that was so pervasive on the Notre Dame campus makes me feel like my son is as safe as can be. 

I listen to the sounds of the birds and the leaves dancing in the wind. 

I dance with joy when I think about the fact that Notre Dame students enjoy living on campus so much, that 80% of the purportedly live in the dorms all four years.  At the same time, as a Realtor, I'm glad that Texas A&M isn't like that.  

I lose my sense of direction sometimes. 

I missed having my son serving as the navigator on the way back.  He did a great job of getting us there.  On the way back, I did miss my turn on several occasions.  However, 

I can usually be found with a smile on my face. 

I can laugh at my mistakes.  And,

I am not too proud to stop and ask for directions.   

I fear that I won't be willing to drive that distance again - thus cheating myself on the sights. 

I care about other people's feelings, hopes and desires. 

I write my best when I feel passionate about the subject. 

I love the adventure called life, my children, my family, my friends, and of course my Lord. 

In case you haven't already figured out, this is my attempt to respond to Gary Woltal's me-me.  Gary is an inspiration to so many of us.     http://activerain.com/blogs/woltal

 I'm tagging Liz Carter, Raylene Lewis, Karen Anne Stone, and Beth Ann Long.