It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, with my kids and my parents as part of USA TODAY's American Journeys series.
I was nervous about taking young kids on such a long trip, but everyone agreed that an article about the great American family road trip taken on the Mother Road's 100th anniversary had to include my family.
Then my father lost both of his siblings in eight months. The chance to deepen my relationship with my parents and theirs with their grandsons as we drove two-thirds of the country held new meaning.
I tried to prepare Robbie, 6, and Tommy, 4, by watching "Cars" and talking about how Radiator Springs got left behind when the highway moved.
Planning began a year out. Balancing the interests, needs and attention spans of three generations took coordination. We'd each driven parts of the route, but always as a means to an end, not something to savor.
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