Tuesday…
I am beginning to exhale, I am sitting in Terminal A of Newark airport waiting for my Continental Express Jet flight to Grand Rapids. Looking back over the last 36 hours I have to think that things turn out the way they need to, and not necessarily the way I think they should.
I did catch my Frontier flight out of Durango late last night, arriving in Denver around 9pm. I have a cousin in Denver, whom I haven’t seen since Convergence 2004. She had twin girls last year, and just before she gave birth, her mom, my aunt, was tragically killed in a car accident. I would normally never have been able to connect with Becky, but since I was stuck in Denver overnight, I took a chance she was home and would open her home to a stray. She was such a breath of fresh air, in such an impersonal couple of days. I got to peak at her two sleeping angels, throw in a load of my dirty clothes from the Durango conference, and sit and visit with her, sharing an album they did as a memorial to her mother. I was able to look back over our childhoods, family gatherings, see photos of her brothers and their families, who are scattered all over the US. And I saw some wonderful photos of her mom. It was such a gift to be able to spend a few hours with her.
I left her house at 4:30am, boarding a shuttle bus for the trip back to the airport. Once I was in Continental’s jurisdiction, with my Elite status, everything started to go the way it should. I boarded the plane to Newark, we got in 20 minutes early, I was off the plane in 10 minutes with my bags, looking for my husband who was waiting for me at the parking garage with the suitcase I needed to exchange for the Michigan conference. My daughter packed it last night for me, using a computer printout, and going over every line item on the phone with me while I sat in the airport, and hopefully between the two of us, we got it all correct.
My flight to Grand Rapids is so far, on time. We will be boarding shortly. I am actually more rested than I thought I would be since I haven’t been able to return home between conferences. All I’ve done is sit in an airport or on a plane for the last 36 hours…
Wednesday…
I made it. The flight to Grand Rapids was uneventful and on time. I arrived semi comatose, but my chauffeur, Paula, in a GMC pick-up, managed to get me and my bags, all accounted for, to the college, got me registered, and the conference staff took all the instructors out for a lovely dinner. I have little recollection of what I ate, just that it was delicious, and very needed, and I actually drank two bottles of Stella Artois. It has been one of those weeks.
I taught the first day of the Garment Construction and Finishing Techniques class today, the first day was all about fit and altering patterns. I love my class, they are talented and interesting, and all tried on my jackets and now have a pattern that fits them and they can go home and weave up a storm.
The food here at Hope College is considerably better than the salt and fat explosion I ate at Fort Lewis last week. And I slept a whole six hours straight last night. My brain isn’t working on all four cylinders, but everyone is supportive and telling me I’m doing a good job, so I’ll get to bed early tonight, and try even harder tomorrow to get the brain in sync…
Tonight we had a gathering of the conference attendees in the auditorium, and each of the seven instructors did a presentation of their work, history, motivation, inspiration, or whatever they wanted to talk about. All the presentations were interesting, and I always learn and am inspired by these mini glimpses into another creative soul.
There was a major eclipse tonight, and I’m hoping with the passing of this planetary oddity, that my life will get back on track, and I won’t have to deal with so many silly stressors. My kids are reporting in, my son apparently doesn’t have mono, but a major bacterial throat infection, and saw the doctor again, and is now on another antibiotic and doing considerably better. It is hard to be away when your kids are sick, and they really need you, and you know something is wrong, and you are helpless, and stuck halfway across the country in an airport. Even that far away, my instincts were good, I knew there was something additional wrong with my son, and I’m glad he listened to me and got himself back to the doctor.
And happily, I have an Ethernet connection in my room! So I’ll try to report in nightly. Stay tuned…
Just heard from Sally that my coat that I made in your garment class has won a blue ribbon at the NJ State Fair! I can barely believe it. I am in shock. I was planning on going there tomorrow and find out(almost a little scared at what I would find.( I don’t usually win things.) This is the coat that was designed around the button that was purchased many years earlier while I was still flying overseas. Can you believe it? I am glad that things have finally calmed down for you. No one should have to deal with… Read more »
OMG! I am sooo excited for you Rita! What a treat, but you shouldn’t be in shock, your jacket was really beautiful! And as I recall, so was the button! Send me a photo and I’ll post it in my blog! Include the ribbon! 🙂