I generally like to be at least two weeks behind in posting, meaning what I post on any given Friday happened at least two weeks ago. That is usually enough time for me to write the post, add pictures, get Bill to read it, so it’s ready to go. I have not been good about keeping this self imposed schedule. Most of that has been due to the unusual traveling that’s been happening. Since mid-September, I’ve traveled on my own to PA a total of three times now.

The first time was to help my son with a difficult time he’s been going through. The second time was also to help him, but equally important to visit with my daughter, and especially to be there for the gender reveal ultrasound! Bill flew in for that too! It was so exciting to learn Michelle is having a girl!

Bill and I were barely home when I got the call from our Goddaughter, Quynn, with heartbreaking news. Her Mom, my sister-of-the-heart cousin, Cindy, had passed away. It was very sudden and unexpected, as she was only 60 and wasn’t sick. The initial theory was that she had a heart attack, but they are waiting for full toxicology and pathology before issuing the official cause.

That news knocked me down. Took the wind out of my sails. I literally could not catch my breath. I needed to sit down, in spite of needing to pace.

After making a few calls, and a few failed attempts to find flights to and from PA, I headed over to my friend, Cori’s, for help. That turned out to be a good decision because in less than 15 minutes, she found me two great flights, and generously gifted me some air miles.

I originally had a long post planned, telling you all in great detail, who Cindy was to me. That will have to wait, as I do not have the emotional strength to do it right now. The much shortened version is that Cindy was my big sister, from another mother. The longer version will eventually include more, but for now, that will suffice.

I arrived in Philly and it was COLD! I picked up the Toyota Corolla, rented from Budget, and headed to Lancaster to pick up Billy. I didn’t set the GPS, having lived in the area for years prior to our full-time RV life, I didn’t think I’d need it. Well that was a mistake. It turned out to be a couple of mistakes. First, I passed my initial exit, but no big deal, the turnpike was about 5 miles ahead, so no big deal, that error would only cost me about 15 miles total. Then, I got to the turnpike and got on going the wrong way. That mistake cost me an additional 22 miles. UGH! Now I was really running late.

I finally got to Billy. We exchanged hugs and immediately headed to Scranton, where we needed to pick up Quynn at the airport there. Her plane was delayed about a half hour, which meant we arrived just on time.

The time spent with Tommy (Cindy’s husband) and Quynn was so sad. We had a very small, private, immediate family only viewing. Our hearts are truly broken.

While there, Billy received a call that the lease for his new apartment was ready for signing. Considering it was the week of Thanksgiving, we knew if we didn’t go back and have him sign it Wednesday, he wouldn’t be able to until after the weekend, so we left and headed back to Lancaster. It was very hard leaving Tom and Quynn, but they both understood. Cindy would have been the first to say “Go!”

His new place is nice! It’s in an older building with lots of cool details. I took him to Walmart to pick up some items he would need, until he got the stuff his sister and friends were holding onto for him.

Billy and I had a quiet Thanksgiving, just the two of us. We had dinner at his favorite diner. I had turkey with all the trimmings, and he had a “sampler” platter, complete with roasted duck (with an incredibly delicious sauce), turkey and ham, plus all the fixings. We each took half our plates, plus “to-go” desert, back to the apartment!

After dinner, we decided to go to the movies. Billy really wanted to see Bohemian Rhapsody, and even though I already saw it, I enjoyed it so much that I said I’d go again. By the end, we were both singing along, as were others sitting near us.

Billy got up to see me off early the following morning – 3:20AM! It was so cold outside! When I started the car, the temperature monitor said 17 degrees!

I took back roads all the way to the airport; there very few cars out and about. I turned the car back in and thankfully there was a shuttle waiting to take myself and 3 others to the terminals.

On the plane, I sat next to a young couple with a tiny baby, who I learned was 8 weeks old. His first flight. They were so anxious, and it reminded me of myself, flying with my kids when they were young. Thankfully, he slept the whole flight, except for waking and wanting a bottle. He was so cute and had me daydreaming of my granddaughter.

Cori and Tracy pulled up to the curb as I walked outside the terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Perfect timing! They asked if I minded going along with them to tour an olive oil company – I said sure! I welcomed the distraction from the craziness of the past week. To be honest, while I enjoyed the girlfriend time, I’m sure I’ve already forgotten most of what our tour guide told us. I’m thinking Bill would enjoy it, so I’ll plan another visit with him!

So, it was an emotional roller coaster of a week. It left me exhausted. That first night home, I went to bed at 7:20pm – with Bill saying “Are you sure you want to go to bed so early?” I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I slept over 12 hours that night – so I guess it was a good decision to go to bed that early. I’m still not back to my “usual” self, I feel so much sadness about Cindy, conversely, I’m so happy about Billy’s new place, and about Michelle’s pregnancy going so well. Might take a while for me to settle down. I’ll try to be better about keeping you updated!

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