I have had so many experiences, traveled so many miles, and met so many people that it doesn’t seem possible it’s been only a month since I said goodbye to the grandkids and hit the road with John. Yet, here I am, back again, and everything seems much the same.
The leaves are still brilliant yellows and oranges, reds and greens. The weather is milder here on the coast, and it still feels like early fall, not mid-November. Alex tells me the tree fairy has been painting the leaves. We agreed he/she has done a marvelous job of it.
I pull in to Milford in time to meet the kids at the bus stop at the end of the street. Sam tells me I might have to show my ID, but the driver just smiles as Alex bounds off the bus with a huge smile, saying, “Grammy, I really missed you,” as I draw him close in a big hug. He tells me he wishes he could have gone on the road trip with me. I tell him maybe someday. We’ll see . . .
Callie’s bus arrives a half-hour later, and the scene is repeated. Again, the driver smiles, and I embrace my little girl. We run to the house (well, they run; I walk fast) to get an after-school snack and see what Gramma has brought from her travels. Callie cuddles a fuzzy pink flamingo (from New Orleans), and Alex emits a joyful gasp as he spies the John Deere backhoe (from an Indiana farm store) with his name on it. They both enjoy the silliness of the books I found in Minneapolis in one of the bookstores I browsed with Michelle. There’s
“A Perfectly Messed-up Story” by Patrick McDonnell about a book that has spills and scribbles on it and “I Stink!” by Kate and Jim McMullan about a gruff garbage truck. I read them both, then Callie reads the McDonnell story to us. We almost always have to read a new book at least twice in the first sitting. The second time around we can really enjoy it, since we already know what’s going to happen—or in the case of this kind of book, we know the joke and can laugh at all the silly spots.
Sam and Colleen arrive from work, and we catch up on the news. Colleen is still hobbling on her fractured foot and sprained ankle. She just switched to a cane but is finding it more difficult to balance than with the crutches. She is working a reduced schedule these days and still has to depend on rides from Sam or friends when he’s not available. Last week Sam was in Hong Kong on business, and Colleen’s friend Amy stayed with her and the kids to help out, provide transportation, and do the household chores. I have stayed with Colleen and the kids in the past when Sam made the Hong Kong trip, but the timing conflicted with our trip this year, and I felt bad that I wasn’t around when needed—especially with Colleen on crutches. I’m thankful for Amy and the rest of their friends and family who lent a hand.
I’ll be staying the night, and Alex and I will spend the morning together before I take him to school at noon. Then Sam, the kids, and I will attend a special Veterans’ Day event at Callie’s school in the afternoon. After that, I’ll say my goodbyes until Christmas and head for home and John. It’s been quite a journey!