It’s saturday night again...actually the wee hours of sunday morning.  The first thing I need to say is that HALLELUJAH! we are no longer battling the flu.   It took a full week, and once I finally remembered reading about probiotics and how they can help, we started getting better pretty fast.  It was exhausting, but I think we’re finally recovering from all of the lost sleep.

We spent a good bit of the day driving today.  We may not have roads that connect to anything, but we have roads!  

We drove the whole 80 miles or so of the Kugarok road to the end.   And there, just beyond the bridge, we saw the sight that many others have also spent more than two hours driving to see.   THE END OF THE ROAD.   Yup, it just sorta stops in the tundra.   Hurray.   It was so impacting that we didn’t even stop to take a picture to prove we’d been there.

We went back a way, pulled down by the river and ate our picnic, pulled children out of the freezing river as they tripped and fell at various intervals (Do you think I’m the sort of Mommy to say, “No, you can not play in that gorgeous river!”   I AM the sort of Mommy to bring lots of extra clothes though!), removed multiple rocks from Caleb’s mouth, rejoiced that it was too cold and windy for mosquitos, and shot our uber-cool revolvers (That is definitely my word... to the guys they are tools, to me they are fun and protection all rolled in to one!). :)

This outing was a final trip with Dani before she heads home Sunday night.   I found myself reflecting as we drove home, our tired eyes scouring the mountainsides for the bears we never did see.   When Dani came a year ago, we were sisters who loved each other so much.   We have now become sisters who almost know each other better than we know ourselves!  

This last year we have seen each other at our best and worst.   We have found out that we love each other more than we ever knew, and that it is the kind of committed love that can stand the tests of time, not to mention five small children!

I am glad that of all the wonderful people in my life, next to Nathaniel, my sister knows me best.  I feel very teary at the thought of her leaving.   I’m glad in a way... her going means that we are well enough to be a family again.   Her going also ends the most amazing 13 months that we have spent together.   Not always happy, not ever easy, but a precious treasure. 

I’m not sure when you’ll read this, little sis... but thank you with all of my heart.   We truly could not have survived this year without you.    You’re so caring, and creative, and fun, and deep, and song-filled, and listening, and patient, and beautiful.   I love you more than you could ever know in a thousand years talking on the tundra together.   Thank you for loving me back and sharing my life.