SHE'S GONE!

 

I feel I must apologise before I start.  My trip home was planned later than expected, with an unexpected bank holiday placed in the middle.  Having not been home for nearly three years, I wanted to see everyone and catch up with all my friends, but family took priority, as I can imagine you would all understand.  My mother, in her ninth decade,  took precedence.  The trip was too short, but it was good to be home, especially during such an historic time.

Panic and its younger brother, apprehension, weaseled their way into my thought process and very nearly took over.  I tried to close the door on them, but their feet were firmly wedged between door and post, and shouted words of discouragement from the moment I pressed "purchase" on the airline webpage.  Shopping was done, but as is always the case, there were the 'last minute' requests.  When I say I work up until I leave, I literally work up until I leave, going into the office until it is time to go to the airport, and with everything I thought I needed to purchase, purchased the previous weekend, there was no time for "can you get me" extras.  Of course there were the "can you get me" extras, which were collected from various stores, by my daughter, an hour or so before my departure!  I had forgotten why I used to panic, and had forgotten how to overcome the scenario!

Thankfully, there was nothing eventful about the journey.  My flight out of Austin was late, but there was enough time to make the connection, where both my bags and I sat for the next nine hours.  I did shed a tear when we hovered over Heathrow, but had little trouble finding the bus to take me to the car rental facility, where I collected a lovely, new five door Vauxhall Corsa (more reliable than its ancient relative) albeit somewhat chipped and scraped.  As instructed, I took a video of the damage, and left the area, heading towards my mother's house.  I did not have a phone, as the new 'chip' had been sent to Richard after I had arrived back in the States in early 2020, and he had forgotten to bring it with him when he visited me. As I could not estimate a time of arrival, after immigration, customs and car pick up, Steph suggested I go straight to my mother, as she was going out after the school run.  I was happy to do so, and arrived just before mum's afternoon nap, a pastime of which I also partook!  

I had been able to message my mother's carer to let her know I had arrived in Blighty, but despite this, my mother was rather upset. "Why didn't you go to a phone box?" she asked. She could not comprehend that there was really no such thing as a 'phone box' anymore, as everyone has a cell phone, and communication is normally, wholly through the hand held device.  "Well, obviously not everyone has one, because you don't!" she responded.  Touche!

The boys were excited to see me, but perhaps a little more excited to see what was in my suitcases.  It is definitely a 'sign of the times' when they get excited over new clothes.  I remember as a kid, clothes were utilitarian, and by no means a reason to be remotely animated, but of course, when I was a kid, there was no Buc'ees!  I gave them boxes of cereal and toothpaste!  Apparently, it had been a request! Once all the special things had been unpacked, both for the boys and for mum and dad, I was given a tour of my living quarters for the next two weeks.  Richard arrived home from work, and placed the chip inside my English cell phone, and I was now completely mobile!

With my first day having come and gone, I wanted to make the most of my time.  I went with Steph to drop the kids off at school, which was such a treat.  I headed to see my mum, then to see my niece.  My six year old great-niece does not remember me outside of 'facetime', and she was very anxious to give me a hug and show me around her bedroom and vast array of toys, insisting that I read the longest storybook she could find!  

The weekend was full.  Richard wanted to take Steph away for their anniversary, and as it had all been finalised before I had booked my flights, he had arranged for the kids to stay with friends.  As I mentioned, I had not really had time to make arrangements to see anyone other than family, and lunch was with my 'sister from another mister'.  Lesley and I have known each other for nearly sixty years! We have decided that it qualifies as family!  I had seen Elise earlier in the morning, and was enjoying a wonderful 'catch up', when I received a call from Richard to say that the boys had asked if they could stay at home with me, instead of spending the night out.  Did I mind?  Did I mind?  Of course not.  The thought of spending the evening alone with the dog, did not bother me, but the thought of spending the evening alone with a rather large, half Doberman, half Transylvanian Hound had been a little daunting before I met him! I came home after lunch, and the boys arrived back from a party around six.  They did not argue when I said it was bed time, and they were asleep before I had to go and check that they had turned out their lights after a five minute 'extra' reading time!

I awoke to the noise of a snoring dog, laying next to me on the bed! I had been somewhat aware of his presence earlier but was not sure he would be bold enough to check out the 'newbie' quite so quickly.  

"You can take us to the park if you want", said Jamie, looking expectantly at me, whilst eating his Fruit Loop cereal, and 'Grandma's special toast".  I like white bread!  I like English bread!  So, it appears, do the boys!  After the park, (of course I took them,) we went to the deli, then to mum's for lunch.  We did not leave late, and arrived home just as 'mum and dad' came back from their night out.  

I had thought about going up to town for 'The funeral'.  The atmosphere would have been something quite unique, but then I would have been alone, and I felt this was a time to share.  I watched the first part with the boys.  Ollie remembered going with me to Horse Guards' Parade, and pointed out that he had been standing by the 'big gun' when we took our trip around town three years ago.  I was impressed at his memory!  Richard came with us to lunch with mum, and we watched a bit more, and then home again to watch the conclusion.  The whole thing was quite amazing, and I am pleased I saw it in real time rather than on my laptop at a later date.  It was a wonder to behold!  

My room had started to fill with 'goodies' to take home, and my 'extra' bag was returned, having been borrowed by Richard.  I had been allowed three bags, and although I only came with two, I knew the extra one going back would be needed.  It is amazing how much chocolate was 'ordered'.  I had intended going to London on Tuesday, but Steph pointed out that it would be a better idea if Rick took me part way, on his way to work.  He dropped me at the train station which allowed me to go straight through to Green Park.  I walked through the park, and was about to go around to see the Palace when my phone rang.  "Where are you?" asked my mother.  "I need some shopping".  After explaining that I could not access the list if it was sent on the 'other' phone, as I did not have 'roaming', (which was not understood,) and establishing that the shopping was not actually needed poste haste, but within the next week, I continued on my tour. 

Buckingham Palace was still barricaded, and so I walked around to Birdcage Walk, where I saw some new recruits training for guard duty, and then on to Parliament Square.  Westminster Abbey was not 'open' for full visits, but guests could 'walk through' to the part where Her late Majesty's coffin stood 'in state', and charges were not made for entrance.  I 'walked through'.  No photographs were allowed. I have been to the Abbey many times but this time was quite special. 

After exiting, I went to the gift shop.  Normally, I would not bother, but Samantha had asked for a few things, and I thought it would be safer to get them where I knew I could, rather than take the chance that a stallholder would be out on Oxford Street!  "Longhorn's fan?" asked the girl at the counter.  I responded that I was, as I was wearing my cap which depicted the symbol for the University of Texas teams. "You?" I asked back.  "Not a sports fan", she said.  It appeared that she hailed from Corpus Christi, and was now living in London.  What a surprise.  

One bouquet of flowers that were laid opposite the Palace of Westminster were accompanied by the Stars and Stripes, and from a family from Dallas!

"Longhorn fan", said the security guard at Harrods.  "My goodness! You are the second person to ask.  Where are you from?" I asked, surmising he was not from across the pond, but a homegrown lad.  I was right, but he had spent some time in Texas!

I took the train to Stanmore, and the bus to 'home' arrived seconds after I got to the stop.  Steph and I went to get the boys, and I took Ollie out for tea, as she was collecting a new car, and completing paper work. Jamie decided he wanted to stay with mum.  Ollie and I walked to the cafe, and we ate cookies and cakes and drank hot chocolate!

The two weeks sped by.  I did catch up with a couple of friends. One had asked "Are you coming over anytime soon", after their trip to Houston to see their son, who has married a Texan!  It appears to be a popular place!  Steph suggested that 'next time' I have my friends over and that way I can see everyone!  I was grateful for the offer. Next time I will do that!  Obviously, when I stayed with mum, previously, it was not really an option, but a party sounds like fun!  I do not know if she meant 'a party', but I think it would be more of a 'gathering'.  

All too soon, it was time to leave.  I was going to head out after taking the kids to school, but panic and its younger brother, apprehension, had obviously taken a flight across the Atlantic to bother me again!  

I had been in the supermarket the previous day, decided to see if I could 'check in', and had found I was only allowed two bags on my return trip!  I had received a request from Samantha, and a phone call from my mother.  Samantha had wanted some 'pick and mix' for Edward, as the pack we had ordered had not yet arrived.  (We did order it late!)  My mother wanted milk!  I was hovering from aisle to aisle, wanting to get back to check out why I was not allowed a third bag and wondering how I was going to not only fit everything into two, but also how I was going to get the third bag into one of my cases, which was already full of chocolates!  I could not see clearly!  However, I managed to keep it together, and after making a detour to say cheerio to Elise and Emma, headed to my mum.  I left there, headed back, and spent a couple of hours with the kids, before repacking the cases.  

I left for the airport early.  Traffic was not too bad, but when I dropped the car off, the bus remained at the facility for a lengthy time. Messages were coming over the two way radio about traffic hold ups, and eventually we heard, "See if your passengers will let you drop them at Terminal Five and take the train.  Explain the situation".  The 'situation' as he put it was not fully explained until I was in the queue to board the plane!  It appears that there had been a partial collapse of one of the tunnels into Heathrow, and both tunnels had been closed, causing no access to terminal two and three.  Panic and his younger brother apprehension sat behind me on the bus!

Fortunately, a lovely couple from Chicago were just as confused as I! How?  Where?  What do we do?  They waited for me to get my bags, extremely heavy bags, on to a cart, then we headed for the lifts.  They waited for a lift that would fit all three of us, with no thought of them missing their flight. I have no idea of what time their flight was, but they appeared to be more concerned about me!  We entered, went down and then had to find the train. "No trolleys on the train, madam", said the guard.  We had to find the train before we could leave the cart!  Which way did we go.  By now, I had taken my bags off the trolley and was attempting to push and pull two heavy bags, with a 'carry on' balanced on top of one.  I asked a guard, as the young couple got me a ticket.  He showed us where to go.  Once off the train, we were directed to another set of lifts.  The nice couple made sure I got my bags on a new trolley, and we headed for the lifts.  I saw them eying the escalators, and told them that I would be fine on my own.  Another set of lifts was negotiated and then there was a long walk to the familiar set.  The set  that are always full, and take an age to arrive!  However, I knew I was almost there!  

"How do I get to departures?" asked a lady. I told her that I was going there, so she could follow me.  "But this says five", she said. I nodded.  "I need terminal two".  I explained that the number five was the level, and that she needed to go to level five.  She was not confident that I knew what I was talking about.  "The other sign says terminals three and four".  I explained that it was the level for those terminals.  After trying to reassure her several times, the lift came.  A pilot entered the elevator.  "Do you work here?" she asked.  He affirmed that "in a way" he did.  "I need to get to departures", she said.  He then went through the same routine.

Thankfully, the rest of the procedure was painless.  At the gate, we were told that boarding would be slightly late, as some of the crew were stuck in traffic!

The seatbelt sign was turned off when we hit the appropriate altitude and was not put back on again until we were ready to land, so smooth was the flight.  Greenland was visible, which is always a bonus!

When I reached Houston, I was amazed.  There was no line, no funny machines to fight with, and no forms to fill in!  My bags came on the conveyor belt, and I struggled to get them on to another trolley.  I managed to get one on, but could not lift the second one high enough.  The trolley turned around and around until some nice fellow travelers helped!  Everyone was exceptionally friendly, and I knew I was back in Texas!

Dana met me curbside, as I was not going to put him through the problems of trying to work out the new parking system!  I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

At twelve thirty, I woke fully refreshed.  Jet lag is always fun!  Finally, morning arrived, and although I had been awake for hours, my alarm made me jump.  I headed downstairs, and sitting there to welcome me was a small scorpion. I have only ever encountered a couple previously, in my house, but they are never welcome.  Oh well!  I was back!  Scorpions and all!

The rest of the week and weekend was set to normal routine, and I wanted to get into the swing of things as quickly as possible. I had forgotten what it was like to go on vacation, and come back to what was vacation!  It was great to see all my family, on their home turf. 

Autumn has finally dimmed the early mornings and later evenings, but it is still pleasant, if not warm.  As we head into the twilight of the year, I am looking forward to the possibility of going home again, perhaps not immediately but definitely sooner than three years!  In the meantime, I shall find exciting things for ............. another story!