We came with only one suitcase and 2 back packs to Illinois because we've got clothes and footwear for every season packed in the attic. However, our purchases in Illinois required more space.
Tiffany had an extra hand-carry luggage so she gave it to us to use. We told her we'd return it next year.
That last moment is always the hardest. That last hug, that last wave...
It was gut wrenching to see KC's tiny hand waving and waving until they were out of sight.
Tiffany already had a plan in place to take KC's mind off the parting. She took her to a huge Halloween fest at one of the shopping malls that afternoon. KC had a terrific time!
Art decided to pay the $25.00 to have our silver hand-carry shipped straight to Hawaii since we'd have that same stop-over in Phoenix where we had to run to catch our connecting flight and almost missed it. Running with extra luggage did not appeal to him.
We noticed that O'Hare Airport already had a sink in place at the security gate so you could empty your water bottle and fill it on the other side. We had already emptied our water bottle at home.
When we got to the gate, we heard the announcement that they were offering to send hand-carry luggage to our FINAL destination for FREE! Arrrghhhh! We wouldn't have had to pay!
When we got to Phoenix, the gates were different. We didn't have to rush because our arrival and departure gates were close together. We even had time to grab a quick burger. Arrrrghhhh!
The rest of the flight went smoothly and my brother, Dennis was waiting for us with a smile, a hug and news of all that had happened in the month that we were gone.
Mom had some nishime (Japanese stew), namasu (pickled cucumbers), rice and kabocha (pumpkins) waiting on the kitchen table. She usually eats at 5:00 or earlier, but she'd waited 2 hours so she could eat with us.
It was hard leaving home, but it's nice to be home too.
Well done, Kay. Blog again after you've had a long long sleep.
ReplyDeleteHow can I feel such poignant feelings about someone I've never met? But I do, I almost cried thinking about little KC saying goodbye to you... welcome home, and thanks for taking me along on your trip to Chicago. I had a great time! :-)
ReplyDeleteI know those partings are hard, especially when there is so much distance. I'm glad you got to have a good long visit. I'm sure there is an empty feeling at Tiffany's house, but your mom must be very glad that you are back.
ReplyDeleteWhat a month it's been!
ReplyDeleteHow nice that O'Hare has a sink available to pour out liquids before the security gate. I usually remember to do it, but there's been a time or two that I've had to chug the entire bottle while I was waiting in line.
Glad you didn't have to race to the next gate like last time. Cute photo of your daughter and granddaughter waving from the car. I know it was difficult to say goodbye, but at least you get to see them daily on Skype. In fact, you see KC more often than I see Julia!
ReplyDeleteComing home is often the best part of the journey, I think. Dianne
ReplyDeleteI know you had a fantastic visit with Tiffany and KC and all your friends in Hawaii! So glad you got to see Peggy!! Hope you have a good week, Kay!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
don't forget, your house guests are arriving in a few days. No one told you!
ReplyDeleteRon: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
ReplyDeleteIt's so difficult to live such far distances from your family. The little ones are grown in the blink of an eye. Even the fast planes can't seem to keep us on top of the fast growth spurts they take. I bet the food tasted heavenly that your Mother had waiting on the table for you.
ReplyDeleteKC's waving hand is so small yet her determined wave so powerful. I can imagine...really must have tugged your heart strings. Taking that picture was so wise, you will be able to keep that memory forever. I guess that's why people take pictures, yet I'm camera averse.
ReplyDeleteI knew the day would come when carryon would be a big problem for the airlines. We're taking a trip soon too. Bought a bunch of space bags and organizers to help pack our one check in luggage up to the maximum allowed weight. BTW, thanks for posting the packing video, that concept of spreading out the clothes to more efficiently use space is a good idea, no matter what size the luggage.
L.
Happy to hear you are back safely and know how you must have felt. This post tugged at my heart strings. Welcome home Kay.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are safe and sound in your Hawaiian house Kay! It must have been heartwretching to leave KC!! I know how I would feel if my grandson was waving like that. Hopefully they will visit you in Hawaii soon, especially when the weather gets so cold in Chicago!!
ReplyDeleteI like your title home from home-you have many homes... farewells and welcomes still in the future.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Home!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you recovered from your bug and were able to enjoy some time with the family. Welcome home. Glad you survived the flight. Hugs from here.
ReplyDeleteI know I have a hard time leaving my family "back home" on the west coast, and that's not very far away.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when I come home to Alberta, Dick and the dog are there to greet me at the little airport in Medicine Hat, and I'm always thrilled to see them.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
you well describe the poignancy of partings. Glad you both are home here on Oahu!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
I love that you have two homes and seem to thrive in both. Welcome back to the warm and sunny home in paradise. :)
ReplyDeleteI know how those partings are. I could not stop crying when we said good-bye to my son, his wife, and my grandson when we left Boston last month. I surprised myself at how much I cried. I hate those good-byes.
This brings back the memories of all the goodbyes we've said to our grandkids. Now they are here. We will see them tomorrow! We got home about 8:00 this evening, and now it's 2:00 AM and I can't sleep. I need to sleep because the next two day are going to be very busy.
ReplyDeleteBut it's good to be home.
Ron is kidding, RIGHT??
ReplyDeleteWe had to make one of those crazy runs through Phoenix one time. It's a really big airport to be sitting out in the middle of the desert. Then there's Denver. It's a few buildings worth of airport. fortunately, when we flew through last time we got to stay in one terminal, although it is the largest United terminal in the world. I'm with Art, don't carry anything.
ReplyDeleteDina: Ron is definitely pulling your leg. No guests this time so we've had lots of time to recuperate leisurely.
ReplyDeletedkzody: Wow! It sure is a huge airport. We were just sorry we paid for the extra luggage up front when it would have been free at the gate as checked in hand-carry.