I‘ve been traveling to northern Florida once a year for all of my adult life. E’s parents settled in Gainesville shortly before I met him, and now his mother lives with his sister’s family in Jacksonville.

The interstate is a flat ribbon winding through scrubby trees and pines under a sky whitened by the summer heat. Billboards promise fast food meals, cheap hotels, golf, outlet malls, and discount tickets to Disney.

The miles slide by in sameness. Our knees complain at each stop, stiff and aching. The inside of the van is littered with books and water bottles. We cross into the Sunshine State under cloudy skies. E knows the way to his sister’s house in Jacksonville by heart.

This is the first time the kids and I have seen E’s mom since we moved to Belgium two and a half years ago. I’m a bit anxious about what her condition will be. She has rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, a form of dementia, and assorted other health issues. For months, the kids have been talking about how much they’re looking forward to seeing their grandma.

E was here in February, and his mom had back surgery. After the surgery, she was in a rehab facility for a few weeks. Now she’s back at E’s sister’s home and has full time nursing care.

When we see her, I’m pleasantly surprised at how well she’s doing. She recognizes the children, who have grown so much, and engages us all in conversation. They park in chairs next to hers and tell her about Petey our cat and the trips we’ve made in Europe. Later, E’s sister and her husband arrive home from a swim meet. They have four boys and the kids pick up where they left off.

E’s sister is my age and we’ve always gotten along well, Her husband B and I share an offbeat sense of humor. Around a crowded dinner table that night, the kids are animated and excited, the adults drinking margaritas, and E’s mom taking in the whole scene. E’s dad died six years ago, and I think how much he would have enjoyed seeing all of us together.

Later that evening as I’m kissing my mother-in-law goodnight, she says, “Veronica, it was so good to hear your laughter tonight.” And in that moment I realize what a gift that is to give, the gift of laughter.

July 23, 2007