Reflections From a Country Girl

If you’re as “mature” as I am, you’ll remember that commercial.  The lady is in a bathtub of bubbly water with a bar of Calgone soap and lots of little feet running and playing crazily in the background.  Briefly, as she soaks in the bubbles, she is dreaming of warm, sunny beaches and relaxing in the surf.  

Life in our family has been like this the past month or so.  Not the relaxing in the tub part but the running around wildly like the kiddies in the commercial.  

With our mother being very sick and being in and out of the hospital several times, I felt like the crazy part of that commercial.  So, when I got the invitation to go to a party in Washington, DC last Sunday evening, I sat their briefly like the lady in the bubbles, and thought of how it would be to get on a plane and be wisked away from it all.  

The note on the back of the invitation said, “I can’t expect you to come for this but wanted to give you the opportunity.” I sat there a few minutes staring at it.  Thinking of my schedule I tossed the note aside and picked it up again several times.  

“Maybe I COULD do this.” I finally said to myself. “It would be crazy to go to Washington just for a party…but, what the heck.  If you could make it work it wouldn’t be the first unusual thing you did in these past few months. Besides, you’d love to see these friends and the trip would do you good.”

I looked at the flight schedule and it was just right for me going up on Sunday afternoon and flying back early Monday in time for a presentation I had that afternoon at two.  

So, I did it.  I made sure they could have me there for the night, booked the flights and I was ready to roll.  

Life was hectic in between.  All the regular things in life PLUS dealing with my sweet Mom.  I had a number of talks scheduled related to my book and had to rearrange several of them due to her illness.  While they are fun, they take energy I really had to muster up…but managed to be engaging enough to be successful at them. 

The day of the party was here before I knew it. I packed my bag and headed out to Washington.  Everything when smoothly with the flights.  I even had a chance to shop at my favorite store in the airport.  I found myself knocking on their door just in time to say my hellos and get settled before the first guests arrived.  

What a party.  

I met many of the intriguing guests and had plenty of time to visit with most of them.  My most memorable visit was with the chair of the dance department at Duke Ellington School of the Arts.  He was full of interesting stories and tidbits from his past.  

You know me, I love stories.  He had so many that I encouraged him to write a book so others could enjoy them as well. I hope he will do that.  

There were many others from various backgrounds.  It’s really a small world when you start talking to people. You so often find you have things in common with others when you take the time to talk with them.  

I had a remarkable visit with my good friends, met some other new ones, and the next morning flew back home.

When I got to the airport I called my ride to come get me.  Walking into the main lobby there was a group of young school carolers performing for the passengers.  At the piano was my friend, Cathy, accompanying them and we had a chance to visit for a few minutes. 

Life can wisk us off our feet sometimes.  Life can also give us lots of opportunities to be spontaneous if we take advantage of those moments.  

My wish for you today is that you keep an open mind to opportunities when they arise.  You may just find some magic moments in an otherwise crazy time.  

~ Joellen

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 at 7:20:am and is filed under Aging parents, Family/Friends Gatherings, Holidays, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.