Thanks for all of your kind words and condolences on the passing of my grandfather. It was a weekend full of laughter and tears, but fortunately more laughter than tears. A lot of laughter, in fact. I have a great group of cousins who are all about the same age, and it was good to be together.
As strange as it sounds, I’m not sad. I wasn’t close to my granddad, although I loved him and felt secure in his love. He lived far away, and I rarely saw him as an adult. His children will miss him, though. Particularly my dad. They were very close.
I have to say that I enjoyed the solitude of traveling alone and staying in my own hotel room. The night I arrived, after going out to dinner with some family members, I returned to my room alone. As I slipped the key card in the door, I had a momentary lapse of sanity when I felt a twinge of loneliness. That lasted a millisecond.
I quickly returned to my senses when I laid my weary eyes on that queen-size bed and realized that I was utterly and blissfully ALONE. I threw myself spread-eagle across the bed and just lay there reveling in the sheer ALONENESS — a mother’s dream date.
Then I did something so exciting and so uncharacteristic, I’m almost afraid to share it here on The Blawg.
I went to the potty ALONE.
Have you even imagined such bliss? There was no one banging on the door, no one begging to wash their hands in the sink alongside me, and best of all, no one asking to see my "pee-you". I’ll leave you to ponder that one on your own time.
I slept like a brick and woke up with a start, refreshed and completely rested at the unheard of hour of 8AM. I don’t remember the last time I slept that late. That was definitely the highlight of the weekend. Well, that and seeing all my family of course.
The second night I shared a room with my future sister-in-law (my baby brother is engaged to be married next fall) and although her visit was brief, it was great to see her and get to know her better.
Yesterday after the funeral service, I laid my rose on the coffin and said a silent good-bye to my granddad. Then after about a hundred and thirty-one good-byes, I boarded my plane and headed home. Travel was uneventful, which is always an answer to prayer.
We actually arrived in Philly about 20 minutes ahead of schedule, and as we were sitting in the plane on the tarmac waiting for our gate to be available, the pilot informed us that while all the air traffic was running about 45 minutes late, we were given precedence because we were transporting a heart for a heart transplant operation here in Philadelphia. How cool is that!?
When I got to the car, the kids were pretty much beside themselves. Well, my son was "hungry and bored" but the girls acted excited to see me, particularly Baby R. She kept exclaiming over and over with glee, "Mommy!!!!! Mommy!!!!"
They were a sight for sore eyes, I can tell you that. As much as I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the motel room and the busyness of the family gatherings, there is nothing quite like rocking that precious little angel to sleep, my cheek pressed against hers, breathing in the sweet scent of her baby breath.
After I left her room, I went to say good-night to the big kids, but they were already off to dreamland. I planted a long kiss on each of their cheeks and said a silent thank-you to the One who has blessed me immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine.
This morning the baby won’t leave my side. She’s sitting on my lap as I type, and she’s letting me kiss on her and love on her till my heart’s content. She’s such a snuggly little one. It’s rainy and cold outside, the perfect day for staying close to home and getting my house back in order. I hope to get caught up on some of your blogs too.
Rest in peace, Granddad.
22 Responses
Going to the bathroom alone?
I can totally relate… it’s the one reason i enjoy my business trips… 🙂
Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I am so glad that in a time of hurt you were able to pull so many blessings out of it! Your family sounds really wonderful! and the heart transplant thing sounds really cool! What a great metaphor for the faithfulness of God… You are on your way home from a funeral and a heart is on your plane. Just cool…
It sounds like you came full circle, from relishing ALONE time to relishing the reunion with your family.
This is a beautiful post. I am glad you got to travel and say goodbye to him, even if you weren’t close. My thoughts are wih your dad as he gets through this difficult time.
And wait – you GOT to go to the bathroom by yourself? Such a thing exists? It’s a dream…it happens in Happily Ever After land right? Our house has connecting bathroom doors…so I can be in one, they open the door “Hi Mom what are you doing?” – “Brain Surgery, it requires you to close the door now”…LOL
Great post. I, for one, appreciate the bathroom part the best.
Misty – yeah, isn’t that just poetic??
DLH – Give me some credit! I’m a germophobe, remember? There was no cover. They double the sheets with a blanket in between. Guess they got the memo!
Such a sweet post.
Why is it that kids NEED you most when you’re either on the potty or the phone? Glad you had some alone time but sorry it was under this circumstance.
This is nice to read, and I’m glad you’re back home safely.
Glad to hear you’re back. I’ve been thinking of your dad and will keep him in my prayers.
On a less serious note, please tell me you pulled the cover off of the hotel bed prior to throwing yourself on top of it.
Very touching post, which is quite amazing considering you said “pee-you” in it. I’m glad you’re back safe and sound. Quite cool to think that somebody in Philly has a new heart today, no?
Sounds like a very nice weekend. I am glad it was unstressful for you. And that you got to visit with family. 🙂
It’s such a strange paradox. I long for “alone” time and then, when I finally receive it, I can’t help but miss that little face – her long lashes, her open-mouthed kisses, her gurgling laughter, and her awe at the tiniest wonders (dogs barking, rain falling, music playing).
I love my little ones, I do, I do, I do, but the idea of going to the bathroom alone……………………………Nope, I tried, I can’t imagine it!
Alone, going to the bathroom alone. I guess it is possible isn’t it?
Great post. I’m glad you got to enjoy your alone time and also in seeing all of your family. Your Granddad was obviously very loved. And it is true what they say–Absence makes the heart grow fonder. There’s nothing like coming home to the kids after being away for a few days.
I’m glad it was a good trip!
“I planted a long kiss on each of their cheeks and said a silent thank-you to the One who has blessed me immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine.”—puts tears in my eyes. Thank you God!
Awww… this was such a sweet post. I have been away from blogland and had to catch up. It is obvious how loved your grandfather was. Thank you for sharing this.
I’m so sorry about your grandfather. I’m late checking in here, my computer has been in critical condition all week and it’s put me behind. Thanks for this touching post.
That was a sweet reflection on your time away. I’m glad you didn’t have any plane troubles. We went through Philly during the baggage handlers strike, on the way to Puerto Rico. We lost our luggage both ways. Anyway, smoke is coming out of my ears just thinking about it, I’d better stop.
Blessings…
This post made me smile, laugh, get choked up and teary eyed! You have such a beautiful way with words, and can paint such a vivid picture!
Bathroom…alone….how wonderful!
It’s amazing – the time alone does so many good things – like refresh us and make us that more appreciative of what we have! I have warm fuzzies now. Thank You!