Lula, traffic cones and shopping made visit memorable (12/05/05)

After fretting for weeks about going to the airport on my own to visit my daughter at Thanksgiving I got lost only once. I didn’t sleep much the night before. I tried, but every time I checked the clock it was only an hour or so past the last time I looked. I finally gave up and got up about 2:30 a.m. and was ready to leave my mother’s house by 3:00 a.m. Traffic was light at that hour and I didn’t have as much trouble seeing as I expected.

I did have to fight my inclination to turn off the highway several exits early to take the surface roads. Then when I got to the airport I found it was the winter home of every traffic cone, orange barrel and barricade in Ohio. They were all huddled together blocking the way to the cheap long-term parking. I think they were plotting next season’s strategy for causing the most confusion possible.

The orange and white creatures herded me into the short-term lot but after wandering up and down several rows I escaped and with directions from the parking attendant (who kindly did not charge me for my little detour) found the correct place.

Since it was still dark I had trouble maneuvering my suitcase up and down all the islands between my car and the terminal. On the way home I discovered that there are ramps in these little islands that made it much easier to drag a rolling suitcase. Oh, well … live and learn.

The last time I flew we were required to put any undeveloped film in our suitcase so it wouldn’t be damaged by the security machines. Well, that has changed. Now film is to be carried on your person, again so as not to be damaged by the machines. So there I was at 4:00 a.m. on the floor of the airport digging through my suitcase looking for film. Thank goodness the place was almost empty.

I was the first one in line for my flight so check-in only took about 30 seconds. I even made it through the metal detector without it going off. Then I paced for well over an hour before being allowed to board the plane.

I settled in my assigned spot and considered going to sleep. Lula, the flight attendant, came up and announced she was going to write a book. She was going to call it, “I’m Glad I Don’t Have to Wake Up Next to You.” She tilted her head to the side with her mouth gaping and her tongue hanging out as she imitated all the sleeping people on her flight. She was hilarious. Every time I caught my breath she would assume another ridiculous expression. It’s a good thing I had my seat belt on or I would have fallen into the aisle I was laughing so hard. Needless to say I didn’t dare go to sleep after that display. She kept me entertained all the way to Houston.

Once I was safely back on the ground I was met by the most beautiful pregnant woman I have ever seen. You have probably felt that way about your own child, or you will when you see her carrying your grandbaby.

I had her all to myself for a glorious several hours. I felt like I had been in the desert forever and had suddenly arrived at an oasis. I just drank in her presence and enjoyed being with her without worrying about how much the phone bill was going to be. It was priceless.

Then her husband came home from his successful hunting trip and we all went over to his sister’s house for the traditional feast. After dinner we watched the children play in the swimming pool, and yes, it was that warm. All in all it was a perfect day.

Two days of shopping and one baby shower later it was time to start packing for home. This time there was no Lula and I dozed off and on all the way back north.

A traffic accident at the entrance ramp on the highway made it easier to ease into the creeping line of people returning home after the holiday. Now things are back to normal and I am looking forward to going back again in January when the baby is born.

I hope Lula is on that airplane with us to keep me from falling asleep.[[In-content Ad]]