After hearing of our journey, my aunt sent us one of her poems. I wanted to share it.

E.T.A.
by Jean Prem

I had my bearings, my directions all set
Landscape familiar, no surprise to expect.
Then all of a sudden, off the map of my range
Life threw a curve and flight plans changed.

This ‘new’ trajectory’ buried so deep and sweet
Navigates on trust in instinctual beat.
The ‘tower’ guiding this unchartered course
Emits on the strength of ‘Universal Force’

But what was pure and courageous too
Was weakened by ‘have to’s’ and ‘right thing to do’
Though that magical ride is lifted so high
It won’t stay up without freedom’s sigh.

We forget that absolute truth so deep
“If ya can’t take it with ya, it’s not yours to keep’
We try to possess and in that instant in time
Come planning and action to keep it in line.

Now back I’ve gone cause I must have that ride
That brings pleasurable waves like a rising tide.
“It” isn’t a person, a place, or a thing
“It’s” the connection we see as a bird on a wing.

Living through this time and this space
We must stay true to the self’s real place
Though it seems like we’ve wandered, ‘out of the fold’
Our ‘mission’-undone;our ‘success’ -on hold.

But it’s not true, ‘destination’s not the ‘prize’
For we ‘arrive’ every second, then analyze.
We wend our way with those we meet
Each has something that becomes complete.

We are the one’s living inside our skin
With patterns and habits twixt our kith and our kin
So again I try to see beyond their ‘grid’
The ‘cage’ that makes them live ‘conventions’ bid.

Guess most folks fly that way ‘straight by the book’,
As if pre-programmed auto pilot is all it took.
But our flight’s not over if living through today
So how can we know our ETA?

This is Marshall Waddlington, our duck and soon to be ‘third wheel.’ Marshall (his friends call him Marsh) is going to pop up in our photos and blog entries.

Marsh was Matt’s birthday gift from Darice’s grandmother…she knows of his affinity for the feathered creatures and couldn’t resist giving this dear ducky a good home. Since ducks are migratory animals, we thought it was well suited that he travel with us.