It’s too late to be up. Wisdom is telling me to go to bed. But who could sleep with this much on the mind? If there were an Olympics for packing, I feel like I could be a contender. The aim was to be as prepared as possible, so my organizing mojo was in full swing (as my body and mind allowed). We’re talking a labeled, color-coded and numbered system of bags and suitcases with a master guide to it all. I wish I was kidding. Did I mention that organizing is a stress-reliever for me? I’d post the daily picture collages I made (including days of the week panties), but that’s going a bit too far.
A wise woman (who I’m sure would prefer to remain anonymous) told me the point of the trip is to make it to the appointment, so always pick the option that causes the least amount of stress. That’s not what I do. I’m wired to be a people pleaser. I go out of my way to accommodate others’ plans. You’d think I’d lived through The Depression with the lengths I go to in order to save money, so this is weird. Not going out of my way to see every relative within a 100-mile radius? Spending extra money for the two-bedroom suite? Out to eat for every meal? Extra time in the itinerary just to take a breather? Whoah. Exceptions are the rule this trip.
I’m also a spreadsheet, by-the-clock kind of gal. Winging it, isn’t really my style. But these days, my body makes the rules. Last week it told my husband to call his parents and get his mom down to South Carolina STAT. Yesterday it appreciated the mattress in the back of the van. It tells me when to rest and when to work, and it’s rarely in line with my timing. I’m learning how to roll with that. I’m a reforming control freak, and I think that’s a good thing.
Tomorrow I’m taking a trip down memory lane, starting with the hospital where I was born. (I’ve never seen it!) The goal is to get my hands on every medical record from my whole life, and even in this day of amazing technology, some things still require you to be there in person. Alexandria, Vir. is really special to me. My family’s Northern Virginia roots go way back on both sides, and being there brings up so many memories.
I got to see my dad’s mother yesterday and today along with one of his sisters. Evan might not remember it, but I’m so glad he got to meet them, and I hope Ella now has a memory of them. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Cracker Barrel. That might sound sad to some, but all I could think of was how happy I was with my little family. They are so precious to me, my three gifts from God. We didn’t have to cook. We didn’t have to clean up. And that’s right up my alley these days.
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