When we found out we would be making an impromptu trip up to Marin because my unpleasant father Alan Boxer was taking us to court again, we told the kids we were going on a hotel vacation. The whole trip up north is a pain, takes time and is expensive with gas at $4 a gallon, but let’s make the best of it.
Lee picked a hotel the kids would like, I packed bathing suits and fun snacks and Shane got the playstation2 hooked up in the van. Traveling for over 6 hours could have been a stressed out, un-fun time but it wasn’t. We stopped at Sonic for Cherry Limeades and Dutch Bros. for various caffeine filled beverages and not-so-hot hot chocolates. Plus we got a TON of new Dutch Bros. stickers and we are just dorky enough to be thrilled with that.
As we neared Bakersfield Jack asked for Dwight Yoakum / Buck Owens version of The Streets of Bakersfield to be turned on. How cute is that?! And totally appropriate.
For most people being hauled into court is usually a traumatic experience filled with anxiety and fear. Not for us! I was double-dosing the Ativan for a couple of days, so props to that, but all things considered we had a good time. After court, the kids got to go swimming, soak in 2 hot tubs and play in Golden Gate Park, which has a really nice children’s area.
Family. When I think about how much the kids add to our lives, that’s when i realize just how much my father has blown his life.