Sunday, December 26, 2004
Christmas on both shores
It was 4:45 when I finally gave up and went downstairs, hearing Damon roam the house all night long. He was looking for boxes, then couldn't sleep, neither did I but I didn't roam the house. We started the hand/foot warmers to give them air and begin their magic process of keeping us from freezing our extremities. Damon looked so bundled up that he moved like a zoombie. We met the motlte crew, mostly college kids and began to sing under the street lights wherever a porch light was on.
When returning, Donna had risen and made bacon and chai-nog. She cut up fruit and we picked and talked. Once sated, we began to open presents under the tree. Damon received the bulk of the gifts, but I was surprised to find that Donna gave me several gifts. I was prepared, however, and had comfy slippers for her, ones that would match her bathrobe, some Yankee candles that matched her favorite aroma, in little sizes, and a basket of items to pamper her, like the one that she gave to other women at work.
Damon was proud of the gifts he saved for, purchased, and wrapped himself, which he should have been, but it was his gifts that were the best. He got a wine bottle carrier in black leather, a shave kit in the same, a messenger bag, also in black leather, and a 20G jukebox MP3 player, which also had a black leather case. He was so appreciative, and so tired that he said goodnight and went to bed.
I started checking my things to take to Frisco and did some last minute wash. I am writing on Heather's computer looking out at the grey sky and hearing Hannah with her wake-up cry. It is a different world. Finally the moment arrived when we were to set out for the airport. It was too obvious to Donna that I was eager to go see Heather and Hannah. Perhaps she sensed that I looked forward to leaving her instead of seeing our new granddaughter. Well, that has to be worked out yet.
At the airport things went well checking in and the security was also quick, but the flight was delayed because we were short one flight attendant. While waitng I had a beer alone at the bar and then had a cappuccino later. I walked around because I knew I would be strapped in for hours. While calling Donna about the situation, I heard a cheer as they found an attendant.
Boarding the plane I found that a very large lady was seated in the middle seat with the arms raised so she would fit. Fortunately, there was a very slim Japanese woman next to the window, so collectively we all made it without the armrests. Other than the discomfort her size created, she proved to be a good conversationalist, a grandmother many times over that was visiting her grandchildren in Berkley after seeing the others in the morning, much like I was doing.
She was a resperatory therapist nurse at a children's hospital in Columbus Ohio, who was getting the best flight she could to California via Philly. I took food bars but realized that they were inadequate for the length of the trip since I drank rather than ate at the airport. Arriving, I tried to call Wyatt and finally got through.
Finally getting out of the plane, I hurried down the concourse and realized that people can't wiat at the gate to greet family anymore, they had to be past the security check-point, and there they were waiting for me with Hannah in her pram. I gave them a grateful hug and saw Hannah with a quivering lip looking out at the airport with all its sights and smells.
We got my checked bag and went to the parking lot. We drove on freeways to their apartment and the tank was on empty. Getting gas, Wyatt commented that the price was below two dollars for the first time in a great while. They had a remote for the security gate when we approached it and parked. Heather had done a lot to make the place cozy, white walls created the challenge.
When returning, Donna had risen and made bacon and chai-nog. She cut up fruit and we picked and talked. Once sated, we began to open presents under the tree. Damon received the bulk of the gifts, but I was surprised to find that Donna gave me several gifts. I was prepared, however, and had comfy slippers for her, ones that would match her bathrobe, some Yankee candles that matched her favorite aroma, in little sizes, and a basket of items to pamper her, like the one that she gave to other women at work.
Damon was proud of the gifts he saved for, purchased, and wrapped himself, which he should have been, but it was his gifts that were the best. He got a wine bottle carrier in black leather, a shave kit in the same, a messenger bag, also in black leather, and a 20G jukebox MP3 player, which also had a black leather case. He was so appreciative, and so tired that he said goodnight and went to bed.
I started checking my things to take to Frisco and did some last minute wash. I am writing on Heather's computer looking out at the grey sky and hearing Hannah with her wake-up cry. It is a different world. Finally the moment arrived when we were to set out for the airport. It was too obvious to Donna that I was eager to go see Heather and Hannah. Perhaps she sensed that I looked forward to leaving her instead of seeing our new granddaughter. Well, that has to be worked out yet.
At the airport things went well checking in and the security was also quick, but the flight was delayed because we were short one flight attendant. While waitng I had a beer alone at the bar and then had a cappuccino later. I walked around because I knew I would be strapped in for hours. While calling Donna about the situation, I heard a cheer as they found an attendant.
Boarding the plane I found that a very large lady was seated in the middle seat with the arms raised so she would fit. Fortunately, there was a very slim Japanese woman next to the window, so collectively we all made it without the armrests. Other than the discomfort her size created, she proved to be a good conversationalist, a grandmother many times over that was visiting her grandchildren in Berkley after seeing the others in the morning, much like I was doing.
She was a resperatory therapist nurse at a children's hospital in Columbus Ohio, who was getting the best flight she could to California via Philly. I took food bars but realized that they were inadequate for the length of the trip since I drank rather than ate at the airport. Arriving, I tried to call Wyatt and finally got through.
Finally getting out of the plane, I hurried down the concourse and realized that people can't wiat at the gate to greet family anymore, they had to be past the security check-point, and there they were waiting for me with Hannah in her pram. I gave them a grateful hug and saw Hannah with a quivering lip looking out at the airport with all its sights and smells.
We got my checked bag and went to the parking lot. We drove on freeways to their apartment and the tank was on empty. Getting gas, Wyatt commented that the price was below two dollars for the first time in a great while. They had a remote for the security gate when we approached it and parked. Heather had done a lot to make the place cozy, white walls created the challenge.
Comments:
Post a Comment
