Out with a bang!

Friday, May 29
Mom, Dad and Gram went all out to make it a great last day, even memorable. Thanks you guys!

Mom and I dropped Gram off at her hairdresser and went for one last walk on the frontage road. Good for us was the temperature, which had dropped below 70. By the end, we were feeling the sweat, a sure sign of fat burning.

Afterwards, she helped me with my stretches then I had a piece of pie with Dad before he headed out to work. I finished the last blog and copied over all the photos and films we’d taken on my trip.

This eternal moment of now is strange. It is my last full day here but it feels like it could just as easily be the first day. I’ve been saying that three weeks is better than a two-week vacation. But I think, for trips home, the time I stay can never be long enough. There’s no place like home. But I can’t stay and I certainly appreciate it more because I don’t live here anymore. We humans are just plain crazies, you know?

At lunchtime, Gram and I ate toasted ham and cheese sandwiches at her house. After a quick trip to the bank, we resumed our Yatzee playing. This time, I won two out of three. Then I took a few more pictures of the barn and headed down to the house to pack.

And finally, the big night out - a meal at Triple E BBQ and the opening game of the Miners. My Triple E pulled pork sandwich tasted just like I remember. Sauced up just right and accompanied by corn nuggets (how do they do that?). The first home game of the season was a real entertainer as the Kalamazoo Kings were neck and neck with our Southern Illinois Miners until the end when we were victorious. And, as it was Friday, fireworks were on the house and the field was open to fans on blankets.


Souvenier tickets and truck with mascots (TNT, Big John, Lucky the canary and Grounder the mole).


Cousin Kennedi and her pop, Brian. Mom captured a great photo of the fireworks!

Saturday, May 30
Up by 6, Mom made breakfast and I showered. I had 12 hours of flying ahead of me with untold hours of waiting in lines or between planes. As always, I had a poignant parting with Gram, a quick group photo and we were on our way.



We had no trouble getting to the airport or checking in. All was well though my anxiety was still havoc on my bladder, as usual. After I gained assurance from the desk attendant that I would not have a problem making my transfer in Houston, things calmed down internally, at least for the moment. It seemed like this moment had arrived before any of us were ready for it.


I can't figure out if that is anxiety on my face or surprise. See the new angel pendant from cousins and peacock feather shirt from Target.

We had a nice lunch at airport Pasta House and enjoyed the waitress from Chicago, parts unknown. And I got some leftovers to take on the plane (bonus).

One nice thing about being at such a small airport is Mom and Dad could go to the gate with me. As we tried to get Dad through security, they caught him with his ancient pocket knife and he decided to turn back rather than relinquish it. So, he and I had to improv a short, sweet parting there in the security line (frowns).

They say parting is such sweet sorrow but most of the time, I don’t see anything sweet about it - especially when I must leave my mom crying at the gate. We’d had such good times and had really made the most of my proximity to friends and family.

On the flight to Houston, we had a fabulous (and I do mean fabulous) flight attendant. Of course, he did exactly what was necessary to 1) lift my mood and 2) reassure me again that he would do his part to make sure I made my Amsterdam connection.

And I did. As usual, so much worry for absolutely no reason. And, also as usual, I couldn't sleep much between the U.S. and EU. But the whole flight was less hours than I anticipated. This was the first time I've flown Continental. Compared to KLM and Delta, it was nothing to write home about.