She had a butt lift.7:45 a.m.
Sitting in SeaTac, the Seattle airport. I’ve been here since a about 6 a.m. for my 10:00 flight. Scott & I left the house a little before 5:00 so we could beat the morning commute and he could get an early start on his drive back to Spokane.
This airport, like most others, should have more outlets near seating. SeaTac is almost devoid of places to plug in a laptop. Free wi-fi is nice, but a few outlets would seem to make sense.
I’m tired, body and soul. The work started early and ended late each of the seven days. There will be no bouncing up out of a chair for several days; my back tightens up if I’m seated for more than 30 seconds at a time and walking upright takes at least a half dozen strides. But that’s OK. Hard work for a righteous cause feels good on the inside even while it aches on the outside, and few efforts are more righteous than helping my parents make this difficult transition.
During our tearful goodbyes last night my dad said, “At my age I wonder if I’ll ever see them again” (referring to his two out-of-town sons). I told him that I wonder the same thing. Will this be our last goodbye? But every goodbye will be followed by a hug at our next meeting. Where will we be when we next embrace?
We didn’t get everything done. Except for dad’s office, the small storeroom and the den cabinets the house is empty. (The garage has things set aside for Salvation Army pickup.) But the box of chemicals didn’t get taken to the collection site, the now-deactivated wall switch didn’t get its blank cover, some of the pictures aren’t up at their new home.... What tasks remain get dumped on my younger brother who lives here. I wish I could stay and complete the work but I’m also eager to get back home.
11:30 a.m.
Somewhere over someplace at 30,000’, plus or minus.
I was sitting over by Gate N3 at SeaTac because that area was almost empty. After typing that segment I closed my laptop and fell soundly asleep. (I said I was tired!) I have no idea why I woke up when I did, but the people at Gate N2 were boarding their plane, which also happened to be my plane. Wouldn’t that have been unfortunate!
I don’t think I’ve ever been on a plane with as many toddlers and infants as this one. And most of them are decidedly unhappy. I walked onto the plane behind a couple with two children who looked to be 3 and 5. All of them looked bleary-eyed and the older girl was complaining how tired she was. Mom said, “I know. I can’t believe you’re still awake. But this is our last plane and Nana will pick us up in Phoenix.” I asked her where they started their journey and she answered, “South Korea this morning, which was really yesterday...or something.” Yikes!
One of the great benefits of growing up in church back in the day (and having the church organist as your mom) is learning the great hymns of the faith. Several times during the week we recalled the words of one or another of those hymns that fit the situation. Last night on the drive back to the house, thinking about the folks’ physical condition at this point in their lives, Scott and I recited the words to the second verse of “O Worship the King”.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail.
This flight is now past its mid-point and I’m closer to HOME than the Ida Culver House. I’m concerned for Mom and Dad, how they’ll manage now. But they are in the care of our faithful Father who will not fail them. I suppose that’s another example of the mirrored symmetry as the children now take care of their parents. We realize our ability to protect them from harm is limited, but God’s is not.
At least one of the children seated very near me has a deep seated baggage issues. Whew!
7:00 p.m.
If this is what it feels like, I never want to do drugs. I’m clearly in the throws of a major crash. I fell asleep in the Seattle airport, slept through a major portion of my flight and then lost consciousness in my chair once we got home. Pam worked a half day so couldn’t get to the airport until 2:00. But no worries; I got more work done for Sunday while I waited.
Tomorrow it’s back to the normal routine. Something about time away puts the routine in perspective, so I have grand plans for the day: start with study on dikaiosis, a bike ride, getting things ready for sending Year Two to production, and if it’s not too hot I’ll work in the garage. I also got two calls from people who need work done at their houses, so I may try to set up one of those.
I’d like to say I have a profound thought for the close of this post but it’s all I can do to stay with the Phx/L.A. game. Can the Suns hold on to even the series?
Sitting in SeaTac, the Seattle airport. I’ve been here since a about 6 a.m. for my 10:00 flight. Scott & I left the house a little before 5:00 so we could beat the morning commute and he could get an early start on his drive back to Spokane.
This airport, like most others, should have more outlets near seating. SeaTac is almost devoid of places to plug in a laptop. Free wi-fi is nice, but a few outlets would seem to make sense.
I’m tired, body and soul. The work started early and ended late each of the seven days. There will be no bouncing up out of a chair for several days; my back tightens up if I’m seated for more than 30 seconds at a time and walking upright takes at least a half dozen strides. But that’s OK. Hard work for a righteous cause feels good on the inside even while it aches on the outside, and few efforts are more righteous than helping my parents make this difficult transition.
During our tearful goodbyes last night my dad said, “At my age I wonder if I’ll ever see them again” (referring to his two out-of-town sons). I told him that I wonder the same thing. Will this be our last goodbye? But every goodbye will be followed by a hug at our next meeting. Where will we be when we next embrace?
We didn’t get everything done. Except for dad’s office, the small storeroom and the den cabinets the house is empty. (The garage has things set aside for Salvation Army pickup.) But the box of chemicals didn’t get taken to the collection site, the now-deactivated wall switch didn’t get its blank cover, some of the pictures aren’t up at their new home.... What tasks remain get dumped on my younger brother who lives here. I wish I could stay and complete the work but I’m also eager to get back home.
11:30 a.m.
Somewhere over someplace at 30,000’, plus or minus.
I was sitting over by Gate N3 at SeaTac because that area was almost empty. After typing that segment I closed my laptop and fell soundly asleep. (I said I was tired!) I have no idea why I woke up when I did, but the people at Gate N2 were boarding their plane, which also happened to be my plane. Wouldn’t that have been unfortunate!
I don’t think I’ve ever been on a plane with as many toddlers and infants as this one. And most of them are decidedly unhappy. I walked onto the plane behind a couple with two children who looked to be 3 and 5. All of them looked bleary-eyed and the older girl was complaining how tired she was. Mom said, “I know. I can’t believe you’re still awake. But this is our last plane and Nana will pick us up in Phoenix.” I asked her where they started their journey and she answered, “South Korea this morning, which was really yesterday...or something.” Yikes!
One of the great benefits of growing up in church back in the day (and having the church organist as your mom) is learning the great hymns of the faith. Several times during the week we recalled the words of one or another of those hymns that fit the situation. Last night on the drive back to the house, thinking about the folks’ physical condition at this point in their lives, Scott and I recited the words to the second verse of “O Worship the King”.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail.
This flight is now past its mid-point and I’m closer to HOME than the Ida Culver House. I’m concerned for Mom and Dad, how they’ll manage now. But they are in the care of our faithful Father who will not fail them. I suppose that’s another example of the mirrored symmetry as the children now take care of their parents. We realize our ability to protect them from harm is limited, but God’s is not.
At least one of the children seated very near me has a deep seated baggage issues. Whew!
7:00 p.m.
If this is what it feels like, I never want to do drugs. I’m clearly in the throws of a major crash. I fell asleep in the Seattle airport, slept through a major portion of my flight and then lost consciousness in my chair once we got home. Pam worked a half day so couldn’t get to the airport until 2:00. But no worries; I got more work done for Sunday while I waited.
Tomorrow it’s back to the normal routine. Something about time away puts the routine in perspective, so I have grand plans for the day: start with study on dikaiosis, a bike ride, getting things ready for sending Year Two to production, and if it’s not too hot I’ll work in the garage. I also got two calls from people who need work done at their houses, so I may try to set up one of those.
I’d like to say I have a profound thought for the close of this post but it’s all I can do to stay with the Phx/L.A. game. Can the Suns hold on to even the series?
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