While I wanted to visit Oaxaca, it was not going to happen on this trip. We had already driven northwest to Guadalajara, and the next sound destination would be Monterrey. I felt sure we would find more treasures there.

We would travel on I-80 N. Villa de Cos was about halfway on the atlas, so I determined that it would be a good place for lunch. We left at the crack of dawn, allowing Isabella and Liam to sleep thru the early morning hours as I drove. The sun was beautiful as it came up over "My Mexico" that day, and I dreamed of Brady whom I had watched the sun rise with on many occasions.

We arrived in Villa de Cos about 11:30 AM, just in time for a bite. I was quite famished myself; and having just awaken, the children shared my sentiments completely. Arus offered Mediterranean cuisine, and seemed to be appealing; as anything would have at that point. Liam and I ordered the fish of the day and Isabella had a salad with Greek dressing.

Back on the road, it was now about four hours to our destination; Monterrey. Flush with universities; as was Guadalajara, Monterrey also offered museums of various kinds, a park, a riverwalk, and Cerro de la Silla, or a name for the landscape and it famous saddle-shape.

By mid-afternoon, we were cruising the riverwalk. It was bustling with people that day, and I could feel the excitement in the air. "My Mexico" had lifted my spirits once again. Now why exactly I had named the Villa we were staying in "Casa Amor" and for just a few days the State of Mexico, "My Mexico", I'm not sure...but I somehow knew that I would have to connect to my surroundings in a real and meaningful way for this summer to remain important and memorable. It was not only the children that needed healing; but even more so, it was me.