I feel like I am jumping the gun a little with telling everyone the results from today. But God Damn, I am too jacked up to not spread the word. I promise to fill in the holes as you read. Just keep listening!!
I used to love the season of Fall. We had so many amazing times camping, horse back riding, sitting by the open fires. Raising our kids with camping, hunting, fishing and learning Michigan's history. Even when it was raining or it was too cold outside we could always come up with something to occupy the time. Sometimes we would play games, like Yahtzee and Skipbo. And in highly competetive times, we played serious games of Aggravation. There was never a dull moment. I could write a book based off of those stories. I think that is one thing my family misses the most. We have missed out on the Fall seasons of camping. That was definitely not the original plan.
On October 21, 1995, I married my best friend. I married the love of my life. I promised to God and everyone there that I would love, honour and cherish him in sickness and in health, in richer or poorer, til death do us part. On October 21, 2011, I celebrated that day by getting him home to Charlotte and this is what I wrote:
I don’t think I will ever forget the day we returned to Charlotte. I was under an enormous amount of stress, so worried about Scott and if they would take him to the right place, if they would know what pain meds he needed, if they would know how to raise his left leg when he needed it, if he would have enough pillows and blankets, if he would get his antibiotics..the list is endless. Not only was I worried about him, but I was worried about Matt and I traveling back to Charlotte. I had a rental car for the first time in my entire life. I had to drive to the Philadelphia airport and figure it out on my own. After the third loop trying to find the Nationwide Rental lot, which was right in front of my face, I finally listened to Matthew. It was to the point that he was yelling at me to turn left.. Once I took two seconds and worried about the two of us, I could focus. I was so scared. This moment was totally out of my comfort zone and totally out of my control. I had never done this before, any of it. I couldn’t help Scott in Charlotte if I couldn’t figure out the stupid rental car situation. I would miss my flight.
Scott was supposed to arrive in Charlotte at 12:30 on October 21st. Our wedding anniversary. I guess that was my gift, to get out of New Jersey and back to Charlotte. Due to the lack of organization and communication from the "transport team" (which was a joke in itself), Matt and I had no chance to get a flight that would put us there by then. There would be no one there to greet him, no one to make sure he was safe, no one to make sure he was even at the right facility. Even after the enourmous effort from Ann, Ray's assistant, there was not one nonstop flight from Philadelphia to Charlotte in the time frame we needed. That sent me into an anxiety attack that I had never experienced before. I couldn’t be there to help him and no other loved one could get there in time either.
Matt and I had to travel from Philadelphia, PA to Norfolk, VA for a 40 minute layover and then to Charlotte. We had some how accumulated so much luggage that we had to check two of our bags and carry on what felt like forty five. I had my purse, my laptop, Matt’s backpack (which was filled with DVD’s from the Jersey trip), and a small duffel bag. As most of you know, those short commuter flights do not accommodate that excess and most people are not patient. I mean really, pay the $25 and check the bag! Actually, I know exactly why we had more to bring home than when we left, I had no clue how serious this was and only packed enough for 2 days. I spent 41 days there and thank you to certian people, I had attained more clothing. I honestly thought that they would cast his legs and send him home. I had no idea the living nightmare I would face.
I also remember clearly, coming back to our house from the airport. Willy, Ray's nephew, was on standby to pick us up. The plane finally landed. I texted Willy to let him know that we were on the ground. Naturally, I was extremely anxious to get off the plane and into the car. It was at least a twenty minute drive from the airport and a thirty minute drive from our house to the hospital. But I knew that my daughter , Morgan was waiting for us to get home. So, I had to go home first and see her. We had spent so many days apart. I felt “out of loop”, like she wouldn’t remember me. I had to see her.
I hate, hate, hate flying. Traveling in general, especially on an airplane, in an airport, relying on someone to be there. I could have crawled out of my skin. I was having tunnel vision, wanted to be home, wanted to get Scott. Matt and I finally get off the plane, find our way through the airport to baggage claim and wait. Most of the screens were not working due to construction. I had no idea which baggabe claim to go to. We waited. Matt was so patient, wanting to help out. My bag came through and several others. I think it was a connecting flight from Charlotte to another city. Waiting still, Matts bag never appeared. Are you serious? Now, of all of times to lose baggage. Poor Willy was circling Charlotte Internnational Airport waiting. I texted him and told him that Matts bag never came out and to sit tight and I would text him when we found it. Thirty minutes passed, three airport employees and waiting in line at customer service finally gave us answers. The bag was left in New Jersey and it would be delivered to our home.
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