It’s funny that this is the prompt for this month, as I’ve just returned from an impromptu trip to Pennsylvania with my daughters. Originally, it was supposed to be The Hubs and me, but we couldn’t find a place to board the dogs, so my daughter went with me instead. It was a whirlwind trip, but it was one that I’ll treasure forever.
ABOUT 10 ON THE 10TH
10 on the 10th is hosted by Marsha at Marsha in the Middle. In the tradition of old school blogging, she’ll share a list of ten questions or prompts to help us get to know each other better. The linkup goes live on the tenth of the month.
THE PROMPT: Tell us about 10 special summer memories
1. Planning the trip
The Hubs made all the travel arrangements, from purchasing our tickets to renting the car. The only thing I had to do was pack my suitcase. Y’all, that’s the way to plan a trip.
2. Flying with my kid
I can’t tell you everything my daughter and I talked about while waiting for our plane to board, but I can tell you that we spent a lot of time laughing. She was mostly amazed that I made it through TSA with all of my jewelry on. Jewelry that I’d promised to remove before we got in line.
3. Running into my kid
When we arrived in Atlanta, I sent my other daughter {who The Hubs also flew in} to see where she was, as we were all supposed to meet up in Pennsylvania to drive to my mother-in-law’s. She said she was in Atlanta, waiting at her gate, so I asked her gate and she gave the same number as the one my other daughter and I were sitting at. I stood up and started looking around — y’all, my daughter had walked right past us and was standing almost in front of us. Had we looked up and to the left, we would’ve seen her. Such a happy and unexpected surprise.
4. Surprising my mother-in-law and seeing The Boy
My mother-in-law hasn’t seen my daughters and me in well over two years. In fact, I think it’s closer to three or four for the girls, so when she came to the door and saw it was us… I thought she was going to pass out. She clutched her chest and started laugh/crying while calling out the girls’ names. It was, perhaps, the sweetest thing I’d seen in a long time. I will never forget the look of pure joy on her face.
We arrived at my mother-in-law’s house a little after midnight and guess who was there? My son. It was a mini reunion! He came down, stayed the night, and went to breakfast with us the next morning. Y’all, there are few things more precious than your kids be willing to disrupt their routines/lives to spend time with you.
5. Thanking my mother-in-law
If you’ve been here for awhile, you know that we lived with my mother-in-law after we separated from the military, it was tough, to put it mildly. Honestly, I never gave consideration to how hard and disruptive it must’ve been for her to have all of us move into her home and turn it upside down, but she did it. And, not only did she take us in, but she watched the kids for us while The Hubs went to work and I pursued my degree. But, more importantly, when I was diagnosed with cancer, she was there to care for my kids when my mom said “no.”
I’ve never properly thanked her for that until this visit. As we stood there hugging each other, she whispered: “You’re not my daughter-in-law, you’re my daughter.”
6. Seeing my other kid, her girlfriend, and my granimals
Last year, my daughter and her girlfriend came to see us, so it was fun to make the trip to see them. And to see my sweet Herbie {the cat} again. As y’all know, I’m not a cat person. At all. But I absolutely adore Herbie. We also met Bun, my grandpup. She’s a sweet heart.
7. Sightseeing
Pittsburgh, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
The girls and I drove around to some of our old haunts and, y’all, I’m so irritated with myself right now. I accidentally deleted the pictures. I don’t know how I did it, but it’s done. I’m just happy that I have the most valuable pictures — the ones of my mother-in-law and the ones of the kids.
8. Having breakfast at KB’s Coffee House
Morning coffee at KB’s Coffee House. I spent so many days there, with KB and her sister, drinking coffee and dreaming about the future. Now, her place is so popular that she had to relocate to a larger building and hire employees. And her sister is happily married and retired — enjoying life. I’m so proud of them and my heart is full every time I get the opportunity to see them.
9. Arriving home
The trip home was wild, thanks to Hurricane Beryl. We boarded the plane at 9:30 pm and sat. And sat. And sat. Because they had to close the ramp due to the lightning. Then we had to wait for 35 planes to take off ahead of us. We landed in Louisiana at 12:45 am. I was so exhausted. But it was worth it.
10. There’s no place like home
When we stepped off the plane, The Hubs was waiting for us with food and a cozy car. The girls, Bleu and Lola, were beyond happy to see us walk through the door. I enjoy traveling and seeing family, but few things compare to curling up in my own bed.
I’d love to read your answers to a couple of these questions, please share in the comments below.
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