Nationwide Homecoming

I'm home after a 5 day trip.

Mom, you're always so nice immediately upon return. According to Amanda.

I thought I was nice all the time but whatever.

So anyway the discussion around the house these days regards whether a pastor's daughter really should be reading about vampires. (Amanda's latest craze is the Twilight series.)

Pastor Dad to Amanda: You're in confirmation and yet you read about vampires. It isn't right.

Aidan to Pastor Dad: I'm in Sunday school and I watch Sponge Bob.

Good point. Anyway, we are now planning our family vacation to visit the town in which the blood thirsty teenagers of Twilight live in eternity. It will be a glorious cross country road trip. Nationwide tourism.

Speaking of Nationwide and potential brainwashing that truly *is* acceptable. . .

So today upon my homecoming Aidan very kindly offered a package of licorice to me, knowing how much I like licorice. I like red strawberry licorice. This licorice is yellow, green, and orange. I ask him where he got it.

Nationwide. Aidan responds casually, as if Nationwide is his little brother with whom he shares a bunk bed.

Bob, Amanda, and I look at eachother knowingly. Nationwide and Aidan. They just go together. "Nationwide is on your side."

You see, Aidan's school is located downtown in an office building and so every year, it seems, the tradition is to field-trip through the skyway to the Nationwide Insurance Company -- if you didn't already know, Des Moines is the insurance capital of the world. Nationwide then proceeds to give out big bags of candy and explain to the elementary students how they cover tree damage and other storm catastrophes. According to Aidan, anyway.

So I know my kids are in good hands when I am away. My daughter is in love with vampires. My son can list the benefits of Nationwide Insurance. My husband preaches on the Lutheran Reformation, a belief that we cannot earn our way to heaven and yet our job is to love our neighbor. (grace + vocation = Lutheran)

Me, I'm just glad to be home and yet my head is all full of dreams and ideas. Presently, I am drinking wine from Wisconsin and it is spectacular. I'm so glad you came over to the Charmer blog. Peace and joy to you.

With love, T

Photos: Des Moines skyline, Des Moines skyline as projected off side of public library