Two Words…
I’m Home!!!!!
My goodness but it feels great to be home. The trip home was harder than I expected. Even though I’d been cleared to carry things up to 20lbs (previously, I was only able to carry things that weighed less than 10lbs), I still had to fight with MaryBeth over what I could (and could not) carry through the airport. At one point, I thought I would need a wheelchair to get around, but I was able to walk to the gate in Baltimore. Once we got to Atlanta, though, MaryBeth made me take the courtesy electric cart from our gate (which was almost at the end of the concourse).
For those of you who haven’t been to Hartsfield Airport, there is a train that travels between the (five) different concourses. I usually walk from whatever concourse the plane parks at to baggage claim. Today: not so much. I took the train AND sat down while I was riding. My friend, Luis, picked us up and delivered us home (though, I have to say that I am not entirely sure whose home I am in; the furnishings and whatnot look familiar, but it was entirely TOO neat and tidy to be our house). Again, thank you to Susan and Rachel for helping getting things ready for our return (including flowers and a ‘Welcome Home’ sign).
As I have mentioned previously, I belong to a Unitarian Church. Several members from that church have had medical procedures, and they each used a recliner (the same recliner) during their recovery (apparently, the recliner has been past from person to person as needed). Well, I spent some recovery time in the UUCG Recovery Recliner this afternoon. I look forward to spending more time in it during the weeks to come.
Thank you to everyone who has brought food over the last week. A quick look in the fridge lets me know that we have enough food to last quite a while (of course, given that I cannot eat that much anyway means the food will go that much farther).
Merle
PS: In case there are any smart alecks who think to correct me about my “Shawshank Redemption” quote, I suggest they check out this YouTube video clip. ’nuff said.
Well done, Merle! I am thrilled to know you have returned home at last. Did your Dr. C. tell you about three months will pass from now before you will feel your old self? Breathing is very important and being free of pain allows you to heal faster. Love to all the MerleH’s. Auntie
welcome home.
Hi Merle,
I don’t want to take credit for the clean house. Your mother-in-law was the true champion. We (including the kids) simply kept it up. We wanted you and MB to come home and relax without having to stress over house chores.
We had a wonderful time in Atlanta! I thought you might enjoy hearing about the adventures…
Day1 – My daughter and I (your kids were in school – bummer!) drove to Atlanta’s “Underground” and took a trolley tour of downtown. Very relaxing and fun.
Day 2 – Swimming with the kids in the awesome whirlpool, water fun slide (yes I did it!) and swimming pool! Then off to an outdoor Christian Concert. We took the Long & Winding Road (map quest directions must have provided the scenic route!). My mistake for doing two events in one day… swimming exhaustion combined with Atlanta heat (it must have been over 110 degrees)… caused my daughter to crash and burn (literally). My nephew was prepared for the long hall, but was a very good sport about calling it a day. We were there long enough to hear a few bands (Mercy Me, Ayiesha Woods & Gateway Worship!!). It was quite the experience and nice to see lots of teenage kids singing along to the music. It was fun and a little surprising to learn of my nephew’s musical interest (just not the image I had of my karate chopping, nintendo playing nephew), and he was happy to share his favorite CD’s with us on the windy drive there! We enjoyed the music and his excitement about it!
Day 3 – Day at Stone Mountain – great place!!! Thanks to my nephews for showing us around the park. As they told me… they know it like the back of their hands… and it was true. There was only one problem with that… our first stop was the ball barn. After an hour, we had to drag them out! Defiantly a boy thing! The girls liked it…but the boys just liked it a lot longer! Highlight of the day – hiking down Stone Mountain – thank you boys for leading the way. I would have taken the white path and ended up over the cliff!
Day 4 – Back to Atlanta for the “World of Coke” tour. The BEST Day! My daughter said it was her best event for the summer! My only advice, do the chair shaking movie before you sample 65 different coke flavors. Highlight for my nephew – finding a bottle of coke filled to the brim. So much for quality control! My niece wanted nothing to do with the movie (the guide told her it was not scary – but he was wrong). No worries, she and I spent a little extra time sampling coke flavors. Her favorite… pink coke – she told me “I’m a girley girl”.
Day 5 – Kids in school – We used the time to shop for last minute school supplies and haircuts for my daughter and myself. After picking up my niece… one more shopping stop… Super Wal-Mart (we don’t have stores that big in NJ!)…”just the girls” as my niece pointed out! We had a blast shopping together. I would never believe one could find so many things having “Princesses” on them! We were home just in time for the 4:40 school bus – I still can’t believe it comes that late! Just enough time for dinner, homework and getting ready for the next day.
Day 6 – Very quick and hectic goodbyes – we left for the airport at 7 am and the kids were busy with the morning school routine.
Tell the kids we miss them and thanks for showing us Atlanta!!
Love to you and the whole family.
Susan