Tuesday, July 20, 2010

What things look like at this point


What the hell was I thinking?


When I started to cry -- just a little bit -- The Husband reminded me that at first I had planned on leaving for six weeks.


Since airlines charge $25 PER BAG, it's going to be an EXPENSIVE day tomorrow, just getting on the plane.


Two years ago, when I began this blog, I wrote a controversial post about riding in a plane with a dead soldier from Iraq in the cargo hold. One of the comments I got was a dress-down about complaining about air travel when I should be patriotic -- grateful to have the opportunity to go somewhere for pleasure. It gave me a tad bit of perspective (and I'm actually one who is quite aware of  perspective, but I can't argue with a rabid Patriot). Anyway, call it Catholic guilt or righteousness working its power, but I am SO self-conscious about that now that I almost don't want to tell you how much I HATE planes (and not because of fear of flying). I'm aware of how fortunate I am to be traveling across the country with my children to visit my family at a beautiful beach house in Hilton Head Island. I'm aware of it and I'm grateful.

I despise traveling on airplanes. I'm aware of how fortunate I am to be traveling across the country with my children to visit my family at a beautiful beach house in Hilton Head Island. I'm aware of it and I'm grateful.I hate the whole ridiculous security thing; I hate waiting in lines like docile cattle afraid to moo; I hate the plastic water bottles you have to buy; I hate the food and I hate the way your hair and skin feels after five hours. (I'm aware of how fortunate I am to be traveling across the country with my children to visit my family at a beautiful beach house in Hilton Head Island. I'm aware of it and I'm grateful.) I hate the five hours spent hovering over Sophie, shielding her from looks when she has a seizure, praying that she doesn't have anything other than a wet pull-up (think about what it's like changing a fifteen year old in an airplane bathroom, but don't think about it for too long because your head will fall off). I'm aware of how fortunate I am to be traveling across the country with my children to visit my family at a beautiful beach house in Hilton Head Island. I'm aware of it and I'm grateful. I hate landing somewhere intensely hot and humid that isn't Hawaii because I hate sweating. I hate mosquitoes and I hate air-conditioning, except when it's really hot and humid and if you don't have it, you'd die. I'm aware of how fortunate I am to be traveling across the country with my children to visit my family at a beautiful beach house in Hilton Head Island. I'm aware of it and I'm grateful.


There, I said it.


And THAT, right above these words, is what I LOVE. That's Sophie's carry-on bag that I bought her for middle school graduation. I'm so excited to bring it along. And I'm aware of how fortunate I am to be traveling across the country with my children to visit my family at a beautiful beach house in Hilton Head Island. I'm aware of it and I'm grateful.


I promise to be good from here on out.

23 comments:

  1. I love her carry on bag, it is so cute! I hope you have fun. :)

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  2. Look- I just hate air travel. Period. All those things you said about it. And yes, I am grateful it gets me where I want or need to go but I hate it anyway. And why is that bad?
    I can't even imagine flying five hours with a daughter who has seizures.
    It's okay to be apprehensive. Just keep in mind that it will be over and you will be in the air conditioning soon and you'll get a shower and a drink and a meal and the ocean will be there and family and it will be all right then. Just get through to that moment.

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  3. well, this all made for a great post.

    and I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, looking up at all the planes ( although I don't imagine your route will include a pass over Southern Ontario :).

    Sophie will be find. She will.

    write soon......

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  4. Wait--yarn? Are you knitting? Safe travels!

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  5. Well, I would be dreading the hell out of that flight. Grateful or no.

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  6. I hope things are smooth and you really enjoy your time on the east coast. We are coming your way again soon...how long will you be back east?

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  7. why not drive?

    kidding, of course

    have a great time, as great as you can, at least
    I told Oliver to send me a post card from Harbor Town..remind him! Or an alligator...

    and next summer, the Phelps family will join you...
    now THAT will be quite a vacation...

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  8. i am holding you all in my heart of hearts. the ocean, family, walks on the beach.

    your boys will help you get through the travel days.
    yes, they will make you proud.
    and you will have stories to tell!

    enjoy.

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  9. I'll be thinking of you constantly tomorrow, hoping all goes well, wishing you a wonderful vacation. xoxo

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  10. This makes me smile because I took similar photos yesterday as I was packing. Safe travels, and happy vacation.

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  11. I'm oh so behind on your blog and everyone elses but just happened to pop over today. Sending tons of positive thoughts for a super smooth seizure-free journey. I hope this is a *good* vacation for you.

    And, yes, do tell what you are knitting -- I'm thinking of breaking out the yarn for my journey east in August.

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  12. Oh, that bag is the gorgeous. Absolutely a delightful sight. Regardless, I get how you feel about airplanes. I love visiting other places, but I too don't like the way I feel when I disembark from the plain, or the fact that I can't sleep on a plain (From South Africa it is at least a 10 hour flight to anywhere that is not SA). the food does not bother me that much and I like the fact that I can watch movies or read, but overall, flying is not my favourite activity. Having said that, my dislike of flying will not keep me from taking trips to anywhere.

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  13. And I dared to suggest that my travelling experiences were worth remarking upon.

    Yours sound like a nightmare and you're not even frightened of flying, more crippled by the hassle and who could blame you?

    I'm chastened by the thought of what you have to endure. I hope it works out as well as it possibly can.

    My best wishes to you. Enjoy that holiday.

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  14. I'm not a fan of flying either. I usually feel like shit by the time I've landed wherever it is I'm going.

    That being said, have a good trip. Enjoy the destination.

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  15. I'm sending you peaceful vibes for a very uneventful plane trip!

    How is Sophie doing since her first treatment?

    Hugs to you all.

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  16. Sophie's carry on couldn't be cuter.

    Journey mercies.

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  17. Hope the flight isn't too hellish. And that you manage to unquote "vacation" at some point -- even just for a moment -- during your three weeks. Have some hush puppies for me.

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  18. wow. great post. you are amazing.
    I'm at LAX RIGHT NOW. 9:15 a.m. July 21. Have you left the building? Bet you're on Delta. I'm on Southwest.

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  19. First of all, I love that bag too!

    That said, you can have all the perspective in the world, and be fully aware of how grateful you are to have the ability to travel where you wish, and totally HATE flying! I hate it too. Everybody hates it really. It's the necessary evil we all have to endure in order to have the freedom to go places. So let go of whatever guilt this nutball person placed in your brain. And I think it's a terror traveling with Jude, so I can't imagine what it's like for you to travel with the boys and Sophie.

    And remember that once you survive the journey, you're there! Have fun!

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  20. You're in good company, because I white knuckle it all the way. Hey, it's safer than driving a car. (Thought I'd add that, since that's what everyone always tells me!) Godspeed, my friend.

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  21. I hope you are there now, surrounded by family, hugged, loved, fed, cooled off, listening to the sounds of the sea. I hope Sophie is better by the sea that she loves. I hope, despite the very real struggles that you face in making this trip, that your three weeks this year are filled with many moments of real joy, with a little fun thrown in. And we know. We know you are grateful.

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  22. You are so funny, and you don't have to keep saying it. We are aware that you are aware of how fortunate you are. It's just that you are fortunate and unfortunate at the same time, like the rest of us, only in your own, unique way. I get it, because I'm thankful every time I am able to travel, but I don't like the process of GETTING there. I like it when I get there, but the process isn't fun. It's like an obstacle course that one has to "pass" in order to be "admitted" to vacation. I get it. You are fortunate, but it takes a lot of work and worry to get there.
    Now that you are safely there, please take advantage of every opportunity to rest, refresh, have fun, be goofy, whatever arises - enjoy. I love you.
    OMGosh, my word verification is "rearm." Honestly. Thanks! xoxo

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