GO! GO! GO!

One of my daughter's favorite words is "go". She often says this two-letter verb with exclamation. Sometimes she clearly does not have a destination; movement is what she desires. When she turns 2 this January, many of her fans will ask, "Where has the time gone?" Life is all about going.

2016 was all about go. I imagine many young parents experience the bobbing and weaving that is taking care of a child while still holding on to personal ambitions. Even before a baby, my wife and I had trouble sitting still. Before a daughter, we went. With a daughter, we went further.

Our travels took us the whole way to the Pacific Coast and the Grand Canyon. Our bus driver to the Grand Canyon was a native of Pittsburgh. He was quite familiar with Johnstown and he talked to us about Western PA and what he missed about home. His message was quite simple. He chose to get away from winter, but he still cheered for Crosby and Malkin.  Over the loud speaker to a bus full of America, he announced, "GO PENS!"

As the year came to a close, one of our family's final nights out and about was in downtown Johnstown. "Holiday Inn Jill" has become a reason to go downtown. Her voice is unmistakable and her singing has become synonymous with weekend nights @ the Holiday Inn. My wife proudly proclaims she is a groupie to this local musician. Our daughter follows my wife's musical sense (and follows her everywhere). When Jill was taking a break in between songs, my wide-eyed wanderer of a daughter shouted out, "GO JILL!"

Jill listened to that 1-year old fanatic and sang into the night. We waved goodbye. There was more go-to-go. Further down on Market Street, an Italian eatery has stood the test of time. Gallina's is downtown Johnstown's welcoming pasta shop or the place where a youngster grows delirious over the thought of chicken and fries. In a day and age where so much has come and gone, Gallina's has stayed, and hopefully, going nowhere; a restaurant with great food and a better atmosphere.

Our last stop was to see The Tree. We knew it was going to be gone soon. When it came to Central Park, it livened up the city and brought cheer to young and old. Christmas Day was gone, but the Christmas season was still in "go". The music was blasting. My daughter was doing laps. Go. Go. Go.

Finally, we went home. While that canyon out west is grand and that tree in Central Park is impressive, nothing is like home. Thank you, Johnstown. I look forward to another Pens Stanley Cup run, power ballads from Jill, eating with all my power at Galina's, and continuing to search for the bigger and the better. But for now, three heavenly words...

GO TO BED.