I flew to Detroit via Chicago on 26 May. I set my alarm for 4 am and caught the 5 am bus to Dublin Airport. It was a clear, crisp morning, so I wore a fleece jacket for the walk to the bus. I stored the fleece in my carryon bag once I was inside and checking in at the Aer Lingus desk.
The flight was uneventful, but 8 hours long and brutal for all that. We left Dublin at half eleven and arrived 8 hours and 6 time zones later in Chicago around half one. It was jam-packed and hotter than blazes there. The heat I get, but I was slow on the uptake when it came to the crowds. How could I have forgotten about Memorial Day weekend and the scramble to go on holidays.
I took a short flight to Detroit arriving around 9 pm. Adam, Payton, Katie and Zoë were waiting for me with a lovely, glittery "NANA" sign. At first they weren't sure whether or not they'd spotted me. I have a bit more hair than I had when I left. When they heard me laugh, they knew who it was, though. I got lots of hugs and kisses (Payton had tears running down her cheeks). Zoë and I almost had a catastrophe at the down escalator, but we were rescued by a couple I'd met at O'Hare.
We had a lot of conversation on the way to Adam's house where Dana and Morgan met us. After a bit of a visit, Zoë and I settled down in her loft bed and her Dad read a couple of chapters of Junie B Jones to us. He read with changes in his voice that had us howling. We then settled down to sleep.
In the morning, I kept Dana's car after dropping her off at work and drove to Leslie to have my taxes done. I actually got a chunk back, so I was thrilled. I really don't remember specifics of the first few days because I was so tired. I thought I was just adjusting to the time difference and all, but it turns out I have a Vitamin B-12 deficiency. Unusual tiredness is one of the symptoms! I am on a regimen of once a week shots for 5 weeks and then a shot every few months.
I saw lots of my dance family here and there and ran into Angela, the lovely apartment rep, at the Crossing. I got lots and lots of hugs. Had lunch and shopping with my friend, Carol, and spent a bit of an evening with Divya, Manish and Prisha. Mona took me out to dinner, too, where I ran into a former sister in law who I hadn't seen in a while. There were many people I wanted to see, but wasn't able to. I hope to make up for that next visit.
On 1 June, I rented a car from Enterprise and drove up to St. Ignace to visit Mom. Anne, Mary and Kathy were also there. Brother Mike came over to visit, as did Dan's wife, Sue. Had a lovely visit with family and then met my girlfriends from high school at the Village Inn for a brew and a sandwich. Such fun!
I was sorry to miss Mary, Jane, and Monica, but am hoping they've put 22 October on their calendars when we will be meeting at the Driftwood. I've probably forgotten someone, but it is not intentional. I hope to see my cousin, Judy, in October too.
On Monday, 6 June, I met with some of my former cohorts from SHS at Bob Evans for breakfast.
So good to see everyone; it'd been too long since I'd seen some of you. Everyone appears to be doing well and keeping busy. How did we ever have time to work??
My little girls had recitals and were exceptional! What a whirlwind! Two nights of dress rehearsal which included hair, makeup and costumes. Then the real thing on Friday evening.
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| Payton is on the far right. |
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| Morgan |
A wonderful, but chaotic visit! I am planning to return for another visit in mid-October. I will go to the UP for my Mom's 92nd birthday and to see my high school friends, and hope to see my retired friends while I am in Jackson, too. My visit with my kids and grand girls will be more tranquil as there will be a normal schedule in place. Looking forward to it!
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