Well, we arrived in Mississippi last night, none the worse for the wear. I could use a massage though, seriously!Low points of the travel day: Wrestling with (and cursing while) installing car seats in the car that took us to the airport, on the hottest day of the year. A sad, hard goodbye with Taro, and the subsequent enormous toddler meltdown while going through security at Laguardia. The continued freakout while at the gate. The epic projectile vomit (surprisingly large considering how small a guy W is!) upon takeoff from Detroit. The fact that we even had a layover in Detroit (why oh why are there no direct flights to Mississippi from NYC?!?!?) Not having the opportunity to use the restroom from 9:30 am-6:15 pm.
High points of the travel day: The TSA agents, Delta employees, and fellow passengers that came to my aid throughout the day. The fact that not a single stranger said anything but kind words to us, even in the midst of the meltdown/tantrum ruckus. The lady that smiled at me and said she wanted to give me a hug, which made me cry (note; me bursting into tears at these sympathetic words? Not a high point). The part when a TSA guy came over to me -- 20 minutes after we went kicking and screaming through security -- my laptop in his hands, asking, "is this yours?" (I'll just go ahead and count that as a high point, even though I almost had a heart attack at the time). Watching movies on my laptop to pass the time in the air. Landing in Mississippi. Hugging Mamaw and Papaw!
More on our trip soon...
Oh girl. I know. I am getting ready for my first solo trip to Mississippi with two in a couple of weeks and if I only cry once it's going to be a huge success. Also, I long for the day when someone has a direct flight from Albuquerque to Mississippi, but alas, that doesn't seem likely. Enjoy your trip and hug your folks for me. You've certainly earned it!
ReplyDeleteOne day (sounds like it could be weeks worth of blog entries) maybe she will tell the whole story of how she arrived at her grateful parent's home.
ReplyDeleteWe're so glad you're here. SO sorry there's no direct flight. Maybe we should petition Delta. : ) Thank you for making the tremendous effort to get here. We LOVE YOU! and are so happy to see you all!!!!!!
OH MY GOODNESS!!!
ReplyDeleteYou deserve a week of home-cooked meals, massages & the unconditional love of your amazing parents, all of which I know you'll be getting!!
Not to mention grandparent duty whenever!!!
Glad you made it. Thanks for sharing some of the saga.
Love you!!!
You are amazing. I mean it. I would not even consider traveling alone with my babes right now. Maybe when they are 7 and 4 :)
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to read you were comforted by strangers around you (with a smile and/or kind word). I so try to be that way everyday and happy to know that others are trying too.
Hugs to you! Hope you're having a wonderful time with your family!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, hooray that you are on the ground and safe! I wish I could have been there to help, I can only imagine - reading about you bursting into tears made me well up! It's always reaffirming to find kindness where you least expect it. Glad you got your laptop back too, what a save! Miss you!
ReplyDeletewow. and i thought is was hard with one. isn't it amazing the kindness you receive when you travel alone with your children. you inspire me!
ReplyDeleteso glad your there with your parents! yea for that!
Bless your heart! That sounds intense! I'm doing my first flight with 2 kids in a few weeks and already losing sleep over it. I'm so glad y'all made it!
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you for taking this trip! And I'm in awe too! Talk about conquering your fears.... ;-)
ReplyDeleteHooray for nice people who make traveling w/ small children easier. I would have cried at the kindness of that sweet lady too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you made it safe and sound.
stephanie@metropolitanmama.net
Hi Leigh, I hate to know that you were in town and I didn't get in touch with you. I'm home from Boston over the summer and living it up in the dirty South!
ReplyDeletecontact me sometime...
-Daniel Redmond
redmocd AT g-MAIL dot com
Wow. I just cannot believe your trip down -- and I am so touched to see you share both sides of the journey: the difficult and the wonderful.
ReplyDelete