Home

The final of the Dozen Days was very trying. I had to ask a family member to pick up the kids to bail me out so I could keep my head above the huge pile of work on my desk......

.....my half-day scheduled ended up at 7pm. So, rather than having the 4p to 10p block to clean the house and prepare for Mom's arrival, it was more like 730 to 10p.

We went thru this house like a white tornado. Understand, we did NOT let the place go into a "trash-heap" condition, but we weren't quite on top of the game Wednesday and Thursday due to outside issues; plus, we spent MOST of our time on the kids' rooms. Gee, that's a shocker. :)

"Camp Witham" was diassembled so Mom would see her bedroom rather than a virtual tent. Then, Mom called thrice from Charlotte, apparently a plane issue ended up forcing her to another gate and a different plane, but, thankfully, the take-off time wasn't affected.

We celebrated on the ride over to the airport; Rachel and I watched the "countdown" on miles to go on the flight on the arrivals board until the word "arrived", well, arrived.

We sat briefly, then Rachel wanted to go stand at the gate when she saw others doing the same. Heck, even Robbie came over. A minute later, around the bend, comes Mom. I told Rachel, go hug her...then realized the security checkpoint was still between Rachel and Mom. Oops.

"BUT DON'T GO PAST THE SECURITY GUARD!!!!"---I yelled. All turned out well. The reunion was followed by everyone's favorite activity, "BAGGAGE CLAIM".

Ran into a friend from work just returning from a California vacation....

Wait a minute....

MOM----Caribbean
FRIEND----California
ME----Monsoon in Glen Allen

What did I do??!!!??!!?? :)

Back to the story, the bags arrive, we head for home, grab some Wendys (hey, it's 12:15 and there's no Taco Bell close by) and pull into the driveway.

Mom opens all the souvenirs and passes them 'round, the kids talk to Mom....and talk....and talk.....and.......

....Robbie cashed in first, then about 1:53 I said I gotta call it a night.

And thus, we were in the first day of the "Post Dozen Days" era. And she was home. And it felt like home once again.

And, I can guarantee you this.

As long as Rachel has ANYTHING to do with it, Mom will NEVER be gone nine days and eight days ever, ever, EVER again.

There's a new appreciation for Mom in the air. Now, it better translate into taking out the trash the first time you're asked........

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Tomorrow? A surprise trip to a familiar place. It's been long enough. We're going home.