Annual Trek to the East Coast

Tomorrow I'll be heading out on my annual vacation with my family in New England. This year we're not renting the cabin in Sunapee rather I'll be spending some quality time with my folks, my sister and my niece Brenna in South Hadley.

This year I'll also be accompanied by the cutest little dog in the world (according to me), my pup Sadie. I made a promise last summer to a very special girl that Auntie Leyla would bring Sadie Mae along next year. I've never taken a long road trip with Sadie. I haven't figured out how I will handle my rest stop needs while ensuring that she doesn't bake in the car.

What I'm looking forward to most on this trip is spending time with B. She's had a rough couple of years. Her parents are divorcing and, as often is the case, the tit for tat and back and forth "negotiating" between the adults takes it's toll on the kids. So my plan is to make that precious little girl feel as if she's the only kid on earth next week.

A whale watch is on the top of the list. Frankly, I love whale watches so I jump at any opportunity I have to go on one. According to all the whale watch companies in Gloucester, we're having a banner whale year with 25 - 30 regularly feeding at Stellwagen Bank. I've also explored horseback riding, a float river raft trip down the Deerfield River and a steam train and paddle wheel boat excursion in the Connecticut River Valley. I LOVE New England and am definitely a New Englander at heart.

Brenna and I will also enjoy a mani/pedi and lots of time reading and snuggling. Sometimes what a kid needs most is some one on one time. Adults can sure create havok in children's lives so it's important that others are there to fill the void and show kids that someone cares.

I have a friend in Utah that is a co-director of a very special organization called the Children's Center. They provide mental health care focusing on infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Many of these kids have been challenged emotionally by things beyond their control - parents who are drug addicted or who lack the skills necessary to be effective, economic situations, foster care and broken adoptions. At a very early age they develop coping mechanisms that may not be good for them in the long run. They learn to take care of themselves. Many face constant disappointment. The staff at the Children's Center give them undivided attention, love and, most importantly, strive to give them the skills they need to grow into successful, balanced adults. I recently had the opportunity to visit and play with the kids. Nothing makes me happier than being surrounded by a group of silly, smiling, laughing three to six-year-olds. I think I may have been bitten by the Peter Pan bug and that inside I'm only 5.

I guess what my mental meanderings are leading to is the fact that every kid needs at least one adult that they can count on and that each and every one of us has the potential to be that adult. I encourage you to go out there and connect, be a mentor to a child who needs you - maybe it's a kid in your own family or maybe it's a kid that goes to your church or attends a local elementary school or that is in your scouting troop or is a neighbor - whoever the child is, if you spend good quality time with him or her you will make a world of difference in his or her life.

I know that the U.S. Dream Academy is always looking for adults willing to mentor their students and Easter Seals has many volunteer opportunities at their centers across the country. I'd be happy to connect anyone who's interested with either of these fabulous organizations.

Happy early 4th of July.