Last week, I was counting down to a vacation. There were wonderful expectations and excitement surrounding the days before the flight to the Twin Cities. Even the day of, when I was working at the emergency clinic, I was anticipating the journey.
Life intervenes. I got on the plane, and went to the Twin Cities, as planned. The flight out was uneventful. The walk through the airport to get to baggage claim seemed to take forever, though. The walk probably was much shorter than the walks that I take with my mom & the four-legged kids in the house. I think it bothered me only because my toe ring was turning a bit, yet I didn't want to stop to adjust it.
Within twenty-four hours, I was back on a plane, this time much less full - a Boeing 737 with only 10 passengers. The flight was delayed until well into the evening, and a majority of the passengers found other airlines or other flights to get them to their destinations. Maybe they had to get back for some "Black Friday" shopping! I was content just sitting in the airport, connected to the wireless network, and chatting with friends.
My vacation was not supposed to end until Tuesday morning, but like I said, life intervenes. Before I left the Twin Cities, I called JD back home, to find out what he was up to this weekend. I had talked to him on the way to the airport, and already knew. He had asked me to cancel my Twin Cities trip from the start, and spend the weekend with his family, but I declined. It's funny how things end up.
By the time my flight touched down, he had already left for his evening run, but left a message with his family to tell me to come on over. I got directions between the airport and the suburb of the capitol city that my journey would take me to next. I arrived, tired from the day's events, about an hour and a half later. When I arrived, he had prepared a plate for me of Thanksgiving leftovers. I finally got turkey!! Not to mention, my taste buds were dazzled by some of the best stuffing I've ever had (sorry, mom).
The next day was a planned family outing for JD, but I felt very included! There were nine of us in three vehicles who all set out early in the afternoon to a Christmas tree farm. It was chilly, but not horribly cold, and certainly much more enjoyable without snow falling. "Ma B" (JD's grandma) and I hung out together, picking out perfect trees. It reminded me of being with my own grandma, offering my arm in case she stumbled. HD, his daughter, wanted a little tree of her own. The owners of the farm helped out, by taking the top off of another tree that was destined to never end up in the living room of someone's home. In the end, we left with two very tall trees, one for JD's family's home and one for his sister's home.
Waiting at home was homemade chili and warm apple cider. After everyone had a bowl (or two), the guys went out and brought in one of the trees. It ended up being a little lopsided, needing a "diet" on the right side, JD quipped. As soon as it was up in the stand, though, everyone went to work decorating it. Colorful lights, and LOTS of ornaments! HD had a blast putting up ornaments. I helped her with hooks for a few. She learned how to say "Bethlehem," but I don't know if she knows what it means yet. I hope to be able to see her again before Christmas, if for nothing else, than to read the real story of Christmas to her.
Today was relaxed. "Ma B" went home. HD went home. And by afternoon, JD and I said "good-bye" and I came back to my little hometown too. I arrived after dark, and was pleasantly surprised to see the lights that adorned the downtown. The levy above the river is tree lined, and those trees were covered in twinkling white lights. There were wreaths made of lights at intervals there too. The full, or mostly so, moon shone down and illuminated the river. Had there not been a holiday concert at the arena, and little parking, I probably would have stopped to take a walk up on the levy just before coming home. Instead, I just kept driving, and arrived home to the happy tongues and wagging tails of "Syd" and "Kanga."
The house was quiet. My family is still in Michigan. I curled up on the couch, which is where I'm writing from now, and enjoyed bits and pieces of a couple movies on TV. I've settled on this one right now, "Noel." I'm loving this movie so far, but it's not over yet. Check it out at Amazon.com as a FlexPlay DVD!
All in all, I'd say the weekend was wonderful. At first, when I left the Twin Cities early and unexpectedly, I thought the weekend would be a wash. It turns out that I had an amazing time, probably better, with JD and his family, than if I would have stayed in my planned vacation city. Between the tree cutting and decorating, and the lights back at home, I'm really getting ready for the holidays. Looking back, I have so much to be thankful for, and so much more to put my hope in for the future. So, while it's a couple days late, happy Thanksgiving to all!
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