We made it.

After a long and gruelling trip from Calgary to Montreal via west jet, we made it.

I marveled at how well my kids do on a plane, as long as they have an iPhone to keep them busy.

I wonder again how my parents kept their sanity, now that I have three of my own under seven, and give them mad respect.

I can hardly handle mine with a digital babysitter sometimes while travelling, let alone in a suburban with only CBC radio to entertain us.

I watched as the Montreal skyline approached in the taxi from the airport. There was more construction than I remembered, but otherwise it was almost the same.

It swung me into a parallel world, remembering my life right before marriage and children, before true responsibility kicked in.

At times so lonely, but also amazing in the freedoms I enjoyed.

Long walks to the old port, runs on the mountain, and cinq-a-septs after work.

Filling and fun, but still so lonely.

Now, I’m never lonely.

Sometimes I wish for more time alone, but I wouldn’t trade the small humans that follow me to the bathroom for all the freedom in the world.

Memory lane is fun to visit,

but I’m glad I don’t live there.