Originally posted by Jeri:
[qb] Would you like to tell us a little about your trip to that you mentioned you were going on in October? Maybe it'll be enough to get us through the long cold winter....(I live in Minnesota). [/qb]
Hello Jeri:
You will not believe it! The ticket bought, passport renewed, new clothes hanging neatly in the closet, and I was staring at the map of Dublin airport, getting ready to book my little flight from Dublin to Donegal, when I realized I couldn't walk the length of the airport by myself. And then I knew I couldn't make the trip alone. I had totally forgotten to take into account how well cared for I am here by my husband and son. I always have one or the other of them to lean on. My rack is ruined from some bad treatment in the old days. I have severe arthritis in my hips and back and walking any distance is a huge challenge. I didn't even take it into consideration when I was planning the trip. Duh! I realized I would be a burden to everyone I planned to visit, all those cousins who take stone walls in a single bound and who walk a mile or two after dinner as a constitutional. And those who don't are in the same shape I am and wouldn't that be a disaster as well? No, I couldn't make the trip by myself. Confound it.
Thankfully, Continental allows the ticket to be postponed (moved the date to Feb. when the husband and son will accompany me---there's a wedding).
So, I didn't get my trip. And you'll never guess, but if I had gone, it would have been a terrible thing. Before I had time to get depressed about not being able to see dear old Donegal right now, wee Eamonn came home from school with an award from Johns Hopkins University, the CTY (Center for Talented Youth) and an invitation to take the SATs three years early. Woo-hoo! Surprise, surprise. We'd never even heard of this award, but the kiddo made his parents very proud, and all of a sudden his mother became very, very busy. It just happened that the time I would have been away I spent filling out applications for that program and for the high school he is anxious to go to next year. And then there's that huge SAT prep book to be gone through before December 4 (which oddly is his grandma-in-heaven's birthday).
So, there's the blessing that followed the disappointment. Yep, I got a few goosebumps on that one. And I'll be heading for Dublin in February, which is just when the daffodils are blooming all over the place, and a niece getting married as well, so it's all working out well in the end.
So please send some prayers that Eamo gets accepted in High Tech High School. He has his heart set on it. I was a bit worried about what would happen if it didn't happen...adolescents and disappointment and all that...but his take is that if it doesn't happen this year, there'll be less competition next year. Today may be Thanksgiving, but I feel blessed every day.
How will you stay warm? With my best wishes and amazement that you held that thought to inquire some months later. You're obviously warm heart will help keep you warm in Minnesota.<G>
Our internet connections are more than just typing the odd message on the computer. Some of my very best friends were met on the net and we "speak" nearly every day for these last ten years. The net is what we make of it. Here's to making the best of it.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Mary Ellen