Wholesome travel entry

I’ve noticed during my blogging lifespan that there are certain people who respond positively to the photos of the children sweet stories of my life as a mother. Others prefer any post that has the word vagina in it or other references to body parts or functions or comedic exchanges with Gabriella. The winning entries, as you have probably anticipated, are the posts that contain a little bit of everything. The next few posts will document our summer vacation to Northern Michigan. It will be unlikely that I will reference anyone’s vagina, as this is a wholesome vacation-because vaginas are more hole-some than wholesome. I just wanted to let you know that before I go journaling our trip and posting family videos. For those of you who tune in looking for PG-13 content, you may want to take a break until after our vacation.

My Summer Vacation: Part I

It was an uneventful flight to Chicago and then on to Traverse City, Michigan. We had a 2-hour delay in Chicago during which time we lounged like fancy people at American Airlines Admirals Club. We were at the Admiral’s Club not because I am a member but because I had purchased a monthly membership earlier this month after getting stuck in Chicago for 8 hours on my way to San Diego. There were no weather issues in all of the land, but our airplane suffered a mechanical malfunction, and I had to wait to travel 8 hours later on another plane. I thought $99 for a monthly pass was a good value for an Internet connection, comfortable seating and cocktails.

What made it an even better value was the 8-hour delay I suffered on the way back from San Diego as well ALSO due to mechanical issues. The value of my Admiral’s Club membership is the only silver lining behind the clouds obstructing the flight path of American Airlines’ planes. I landed in New Jersey at 4:30AM my eyes so puffy that it looked like someone had replaced my eyelids with arm floaties. As soon as I walked in the door, Gabriella took one look at me and called her office and arranged to work from home.

And just in case you thought that it was some sort of fluke, during our short stay in the Family Room this trip, we met a young family who was stuck in Chicago for 9 hours due to mechanical faults in their American Airlines airplane. Either American Airlines holds their airplanes to the highest of standards or their planes are one departure away from disintegrating in air. Not so sure that giving American Airlines the benefit of the doubt is entirely sound.

Brenden builds a tunnel out of giant lego blocks for the kids.

Eventually, we left our stranded friends to join the world of the common folk at the gate. I only have until the end of the month to refer to the Great Unwashed at the gate as common because after this trip, my membership expires and I resume my place amongst you – my people – my fellow unwashed.*

We sat patiently as the flight attended invited the First Class, Executive Platinum, Platinum and Gold members on to the plane. The gig was up. Anyone who had come to the gate from the Admiral’s Club now knew that we were imposters. They probably saw our Group 4 status imprinted on our foreheads.

Had it not been for our Group 4 status, however, I would not have witnessed each passenger board the plane including Michael Feller (not actual name). I watched an older couple escort young Michael to the counter after a flight attendant made an announcement asking him to board. Michael was about 9 or 10. His backpack looked like it was filled with snacks, water, books and activities, and he leaned forward slightly from the weight of it. He carried his boarding pass in a plastic pocket hanging from a cord around his neck. I assumed it was his grandparents who held his hand and accompanied him to the front of the line. Michael was practically on the passenger walkway when he turned around. He had forgotten something. He quickly trotted back to his grandparents waiting at the gate and gave them each a full-bodied hug and a kiss on the cheek. The grandparents beamed with love and pride, as Michael turned back around and walked away towards the plane. My eyes started to burn with tears and I looked at Gabriella who covering her mouth so no one could see her mouth quivering. She had watched the same exchange, and we laughed at each other, which helped us fight back the tears.

Once we were in the air and the boys were suitably entertained, I leaned across the aisle to Gabriella.

Deborah: So, why did YOU get so choked up? Were you imagining yourself the parent who let him travel on his own or the grandparent who spent time with their grandson?

Gabriella: I was the grandmother. You?

D: I have a tough time with ‘Good-byes’. They get me every time.

G: And our boys will never have that experience.

D: Of getting on a plane by themselves?

G: Of visiting grandparents.

D: Right.

We both reached for our drinks because there was too much to say.


*Some of my acquaintances are legitimate members of the Admiral’s Club and would be horrified if anyone associated them with the Great Unwashed even if only by indirect reference. To my posh friends, I apologize. You will always be untouchably pure in the Admiral’s Club while the rest of us share chair arms with each other as well as countless germs.