Pledge of the long-distance grandma
We all know the pledge of the United States Postal Service: “Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds.” I propose a similar pledge for long-distance grandmas, only the obstacles—at least in my case—go far beyond the basic blustery weather.
For example, when I visited Bubby and Baby Mac last August, I encountered a haboob that delayed my return home:
Then, when Jim and I drove to see our grandsons last October, the return trip featured an epic traffic situation that left us sitting—literally, at a standstill—on the interstate for three hours:
And last night, as I attempted to make my way home from a week with Bubby and Baby Mac, a blizzard threatened my return, resulting in delayed arrival (and fears arrival wouldn't happen at all, courtesy of the pilot stating as we prepared to take off into the storm, "We'll give it a try and we'll see what happens"):
Okay, okay...the photo above isn't an actual shot of last night's snowstorm, but you get the idea.
Yes, like the Postal Service, neither haboobs nor treachery on the highway nor snowstorms of any significance can keep me from my appointed rounds with my grandsons. But...all of the above and more sure as <cuss> muck up my return home after each and every visit anymore, without fail.
I've had enough, and I'm not gonna take it anymore!
Well, at least not until April, that is. For in April I take my next trip to the desert to play full-time grandma again, and I won't let <cuss> conditions of any sort keep me from getting there.
Getting home, though, will unfortunately surely follow what has become this long-distance grandma's traveling protocol. Especially considering that April is typically one of the snowiest months in the Rockies; I can pretty much tell you now getting back home afterwards isn't going to be easy. Or fun.
My grandsons and their parents can still count on me being there, though. Like I said, it's not the getting to them that's the problem, it's getting back home again. But the USPS pledge gives no guarantee nor particulars on the return of its postmen. The same shall apply to the long-distance grandma pledge, too—whether I like it or not.
Snowstorm photo: stock.xchng/tes
Today's question:
What obstacles do you anticipate encountering in your travels this weekend—even if only to the grocery store?
Friday, February 3, 2012
Reader Comments (8)
Kudos to you and your pledge long-distance Grandma! If I heard a pilot say that, I would have either immediately disembarked or started saying the Rosary.
Not planning for any obstacles in my travels this weekend beyond normal Chicagoland traffic (and now hope I didn't just curse myself).
Welcome back and I hope you had a great visit!
You are a truly brave and awesome Grandma for going through these things for your grandsons! I would've been scared out of my mind flying into that storm last night.
I am not expecting to travel very far from my home this weekend....just to the grocery store and my son's house to watch the Super Bowl.
Just glad you got back in one piece; I know you loved every minute with your boys.
I think your problems in going home are a result of Bubby having some special cosmic connections and they are working to keep you in Arizona for him. Probably going to get worse now with Baby Mac to help! I know that photo isn't of the actual storm but it sure makes me remember why I don't want to live where it snows!
As of for me and traffic obstacles this weekend I don't foresee any but only going to the grocery store. Have a great weekend -- bet you spend a big part of it looking at all those pictures you took!
Hi Lisa. Wow, you've certainly had more than your share of traveling troubles. I have had them, but not usually in any sequence or same circumstances like you. Kudos to you for hanging in there, Grandma! Those babies are well worth it!
I anticipate no travel issues for this weekend. My trip to the grocery store has also improved because last week I bought a folding grocery cart. I keep it in my car and when I get home with the weekly groceries, I can load them all up in the cart and wheel them around the apartment building to the bottom of my stairs. Saves my back A LOT of torture. YEAH! I should have thought about getting a cart a long time ago.
Have a great weekend my friend!
I know the feeling of thinking that you are not going to get home. Wellington is one of the worst airports in the world, sea on both ends of the run way. One particular time I was flying back from New York without Norman. On the flight from Auckland to Wellington which is only an hour, about 15 minutes from landing in Wellington the pilot announced that we may have to return to Auckland, groan, all I wanted to do was get to the hotel & have a shower. He managed to land the plane safely, but it was certainly not the most pleasant landing I've had. Everyone clapped when it landed, that does happen regularly. I asked a gentleman sitting next to me to hold my hand, which he did, turned out that he was a member of parliament. Next week Norman flew into week & the purser asked him if I was on the flight the week before - must have made some sort of impression.
Being so called summer here, no problems in getting to & from my destinations unless its due to traffic as it is a public holiday on Monday.
Since I have already muscled my way through the BIG pile of snow the plow left at the end of our driveway this morning I am hoping I don't have any more obstacles getting where I need to go this weekend, but it is still snowing so who knows.
We're having a rainy weekend down in Texas, which is great as we have been suffering from drought for months. The lakes are supposed to be bad to normal levels. Yahoo! I'm glad that you've made your homeward treks safely in spite of everything, and I know you'll continue to be an awesome long-distance grandma!