Actually, the light was chasing me as I flew across the country yesterday morning. I was up at 4:00 local, sitting aboard a comfortable 737 by 6:00. Way too early to be decent company. I chatted briefly with my seat mate. Her husband died six days after Mr. Virgo. We compared notes for a bit. Lovely woman, very brave. Once we prepared to taxi, I apologized and told her it was nothing personal but I needed to put in my earplugs to block out the noise from the engines. I snuggled down in my furry wrap and eased into blissful slumber. I always worry that I will snore and snort and look decidedly unladylike on my very cosmopolitan journey. That would ruin the whole jet-setter persona I adopt as I travel.

I awoke after an hour, called for a cup of coffee from my decidedly cute male flight attendant in his natty shorts, and turned on my movie that I downloaded specifically for this trip. Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation. It’s a yearly custom to watch this movie while the tree is being decorated. Since I likely won’t decorate my own tree this year, I figured I wouldn’t miss the activity as much if I watch it as I fly. The Griswolds did not disappoint and the movie finished right as we began our initial descent. What a delightful flight!

As we head full tilt into the holiday rush, I’m reminded again of the land mines of grief that explode from an innocent step. I spent the night with my dear friends in Troy. Cindy and I have a deep sister-friend bond that we forged as young military wives overseas more than forty years ago. We sat up and talked about some heavy, emotional stuff…all the while texting back and forth with my daughter. My plans changed moment to moment last night due to illness in the Denver family. I had to quickly make changes in my plans and then again when that fell through. I’m a flexible person and shift with the wind but that much uncertainty combined with the heavy emotional conversation with my friend was a trigger and I had about an hour of what I have come to look at as a circuit overload. Fortunately, I remembered to use my Rescue Remedy and popped a Dramamine for good measure and went to sleep. Rescue Remedy is a flower based homeopathic remedy for stress and anxiety reduction that works far better for me than any prescription medicine and there are no addictive properties. I carry a bottle of the spray and use two sprays under my tongue when my circuit board threatens to blow.

So, arrival in Denver? Check. Rental car? Check. Lunch with daughter #1 at school? Check. Nap? Check. Then off to meet the crew at swim team practice and out for a family dinner. My sweet, sweet grandchildren! Has it only been seven weeks? It seems a lifetime since I kissed those faces. I have the option to stay here longer…through the holidays even. I will have to give this serious thought. <3