The Grand Adventure

Years ago, I used to leave work on Friday afternoon after work, rush home, throw a couple of outfits in a bag, speed to the airport, race through the terminal, and catch a flight to visit my sister. I’d get there late Friday and my sister and I would talk late into the night. On Saturday, we’d sleep late, eat a leisurely breakfast, sometimes go shopping or catch a movie. Then on Saturday night, usually about 8:00 or 9:00 p.m., we’d go dancing or occasionally, if my sister had a date that weekend, we’d double. My sister had a male friend who always stood in as my adopt-a-date for the weekend if she had met someone interesting and he happened to want to go out on a weekend that I was there. I didn’t mind – my sister’s friend was hysterical and I always had a great time. My sister - not so good a good time. Her luck with men when I was visiting was abysmal! I was some kind of bad luck (or bad date) token. I jinxed her. But, still we had fun! We’d usually come home in the early morning hours on Sunday, sleep for a few hours, and then I’d catch a late afternoon flight back home, exhausted from my weekend, but happy to have spent a fun weekend with my sister.

I’m going to see my sister today. Gracie and I are making the eight hour trip by car. Somewhere about five years ago, I developed a strong aversion to flying after several particularly turbulent flights on planes that can only be described as Yugos with wings. Do you remember Yugos– the tiny little Yugoslavian sports cars that cost about $1000.00 and the steering wheel was as likely to fall off in your hands as it was to actually spin when you turned it? Even if I didn’t have a fear of flying already, I probably would have developed one quickly at the thought of flying alone with Gracie. Dealing with all of her equipment, the fact that she has an ear infection and the pressure in her ears is off, and that she would probably spend most of the flight screaming unless I let her run up and down the aisles or into the cockpit to “pretend” fly the plane would probably have turned Amelia Earhart into a fan of driving on long trips.

Last night, Steve and I spent two hours packing everything and loading most of it into the van. No more throwing a bag together at the last minute for me – that could lead to an all out catastrophe. What if I forget something important – like Gracie’s doll that has the play bottle with it or her blankie or one of the 15 outfits that I packed for her for our two day trip? Never mind that I probably haven’t packed shoes that match any clothes I’ve packed and I’m sure I’ll get up there without my toothbrush or my deodorant, but since my sister lives just a few miles from a Wal-Mart (doesn’t everyone in America these days), I can buy anything that I might have forgotten for myself.

Yes, this trip is going to be different than the carefree jaunts of my younger years. Instead of bringing a cute little dress to go dancing, I’m bringing a cute little dancing toddler. Instead of packing high-heeled ankle strap sandals for a night out on the town, I packed my pink and white tennis shoes and Gracie’s stroller for the 5K we’re going to walk in the morning. Instead of rushing through the airport terminal when I arrive to hug my sister, I’m going to my nieces’ daycare to surprise them with hugs from their Aunt Daffy and their cousin Gracie.

No, this trip probably won’t have any lazy Saturday morning breakfasts or nights that go on until the wee hours of the next morning (unless Gracie’s ear bothers her again and then that could happen!). There won’t be any first dates (thank goodness) or dancing (well at least not at a club – I’m sure there will be plenty of toddler dancing going on). The purpose of the trip is still the same though – getting to spend time with my sister. Now, it’s just sweeter. Instead of just me spending time with her, Gracie and I get to spend time with her, my precious nieces, Ruby & Emmie, and my fantastic brother-in-law. Instead of just two sisters meeting up for a weekend, we are now two families (except my poor husband, who has to stay home and work this weekend – I’m sorry sweetie!) getting together. Could there be a grander adventure?