Travel Whatnots

My step-daughter flew to Denver yesterday alone to spend Christmas with her mother. It's always a bit worrisome at this time of year with the chance of serious snow and delays and re-routing. (She missed the crazy blizzard shutting down the airport by mere hours last time.) Until this year, she's had a flight attendant watching out for her and making sure she gets met and signed out at the gate by her mom. Now she's old enough - HA! - at 13, to take care of herself (as far as the airline is concerned) that she flies completely solo. Yes, I think it's great that she learn how to get herself from gate to gate. Yes, she had cash and a cell phone and she knows how to use them. Yes, she got there absolutely fine. No problems. But then I get up this morning and read this story. Geez!

Speaking of travel nightmares, we're on our way to visit Donna's parents in Appalachia today. Ok, it's not that bad. It's a four or five hour drive (unless there's snow/ice and then who knows) and I like her parents fine. They seem to like me too. Sort of. They are not quite sure what to do with me. (And they certainly cannot figure out what to do with John. He's staying home.) And you know how holidays are weird for families anyway? Yeah. Well, Donna has a complicated relationship with her parents to begin with, and the pressure of Christmas is another layer and then there's the reason for this particular trip. Donna's mother wanted her to come up on a business day in order to get some paperwork signed and taken care of. Paperwork relating to the planning of their funerals, wills, etc. Because nothing says Happy Holidays like planning your own funeral!

In actuality - it is an important thing to do to make those plans - for adults of any age. And her parents are at an age and state of fragility that the urgency is more apparent. It is a responsible and good thing to do. The three of us keep talking about making our wills & planning for realities we don't want to have happen any time soon, but we haven't gotten all the pieces in place yet. Some of the big pieces like insurance and talking about it - yes. But the more detailed pieces? Not so much. I don't want to face it!


The other pertinent fact about this short trip to her parents is that we won't be able to use our cell phones much less connect to the internet. Aside from our pushups this morning (22, 30, 20, 20, 28) there won't be any training either. So - again, best wishes to all and we'll see you after the guy in the red suit has made his rounds! Peace.