A Much Needed Weekend at HomeOn Fri, Aug 3, I started the long journey back to Upstate NY from Mexico City, Mexico. Although my driver arrived just after 9:30a CST to pick me up, I didn't arrive until after 11:30p EST to the great Albany International Airport.
The Luggage Situation
If you've never entered into the United States of America through the famed Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, let me describe the process to you in one word: NIGHTMARE! After arriving at the gate, one has to walk half a mile (it seems) just to get to the passport control / immigration area. Unfortunately for me, there was a line at the passport control wrapping through several of the lanes. After wrestling through that jungle and being officially welcomed back to the US, I raced down the escalators to the baggage claim area. Another delay and a half later, I was grateful to see my luggage gliding up the beltway undisturbed and happy.
Now, keep in mind that at this point I had traveled internationally from Mexico of all places to the US and claimed both of my bags. When I brought them to the re-checking area to have them put on my next flight to Albany...a domestic flight mind you...the backlog of baggage to be put on the distribution belt was overwhelming. The attendants told me to put them as close as possible and just leave them. I let out a gaphaw, rolled my eyes, and pretty much banked on my luggage not making it on the same plane with me.
Although delayed (surprise) my flight to Albany went fairly well. I was comfortable, read the new Harry Potter book a little, and slept so I would be rested when I arrived and ready to go out to the WaterWorks. Sure enough, when I met my friend Geoff in baggage claim in Albany, my bags did not come off the belt there. The mildly stressed out Delta attendant told me that they were already prepared to be on the first flight to Albany from Atlanta the next day and that they would deliver them to my home that afternoon. I told Geoff that on the bright side now I didn't have to carry them around all night...of course on the down side my contacts were glued to my head at that point and my eyes were crying out for my glasses. C'est la vie...at least I was home!
A Day at the Lake HouseAfter a fantastic night at my favorite bar/club on Earth (and I've been to quite a few in various countries...), my younger brother, Dave, and I drove out to our family's house on the Great Sacandaga Lake in Broadalbin, NY. This is my favorite place on Earth. I absolutely love going there. My older brother, Frank, was already there and the three of us were gathering to be with my Dad, "Bonus" Mom, sister, and grandmother for my Dad's birthday. It was a gorgeous day on the Lake with a bright sun warming our backs and a cool breeze making the temperature just right.
My family on my Dad's side is quite zaney...which explains me to a great extent. Hah! I took several photos and videos while up there so you can see just what I mean. Check them out at my Picasa album. My Dad also is quite skilled at making his own wine. Several bottles later and we were telling silly jokes, playing Parcheesi (a family tradition!), and I personally was passing out at the dinner table. :) After a quick drunken nap, though, my Dad and I took up the dice to play a round our favorite game. In Parcheesi there are four groups of four colored pawns which you race around the board in order to get them home. The first person to get their pawns home first wins. My family typically plays this with only two people controlling two colors each. My Dad, especially when he's playing after having had a few to drink, loves to sing about his pawns. It's always wonderfully entertaining and one of the things I'll remember about him and tell his children and their children about long in the future. Make sure to check out the last two videos at the link above to see this in action thanks to my brother, Frank.
A More Difficult Day To Come
The next day my brothers took our traveling show on the road to head to our Mother's house. After a quick breakfast and catching up with her and my Step-Father, the family piled into my old Honda Accord and zoomed off to Schenectady to see my grandmother, aunt, cousin, and grand uncle. We celebrated my Mother, brothers, aunt and my birthdays quickly, but the visit was overshadowed with a lot of emotional cloud cover. See...my grand uncle, Uncle Jimmy, had a stroke in early July. He's almost 87 years old and has been struggling with his recovery. He's currently in a nursing home for his long-term rehabilitation. They do therapy and are trying to get him to a state where he can at least function moderately on his own. The recovery has not been progressing very fast, though, and it's been painful for us all to stand by and watch, only able to offer emotional support.
After a family visit with him in the nursing home, our clan went west back down the river to visit my grandfather. My Step-Dad's Dad has also been having troubles healthwise. Our group met up with my two step-brothers, Noel & Reid, and their wives and kids. It was an extended family gathering at our grand parents' place which was much more full of laughter and story telling than earlier that day. Even my Aunt Janie came by to see us which was a wonderful bonus to the day.
Despite how difficult it was to see my family members suffering from illnesses that I could not help them with, I was grateful for that whole day...grateful to be able to see them, finally, in person...grateful to have the opportunity to share with them some of my own energy in hopes that it at least did some good...
Before I Knew It Back to MexicoI was still home Monday, which was spent mostly catching up on mail, general tasks around the house, setting up my Mom's birthday present (a new printer), and finally, having dinner with one of my best friends alive, Brent. Brent, whom I refer to as Mama for various reasons, is also quite loved by my Mom and Step-Dad. We invited him to come out to dinner and enjoy an evening on the farm. Later he brought me back to his place so he could bring me to the airport the next morning. I had waaaay too much to drink and ended up text messaging half my address book (why don't people take my BlackBerry away from me when I'm like that? :). In general, it was a great end of the weekend, which made it that much harder to leave, of course, the next day. I kept telling myself, "8.5 more days and I'm done and back in the Northeast!"
I've been to so many places in the world, and although I know I haven't been to nearly as many exciting places as are out there, my heart and soul still live in Upstate NY. If you ever find that place that you know is your home...your true home...hold onto it. Don't leave and look for somewhere better...it doesn't exist. Don't let your company tear you away...they can't replace that feeling inside with all the money they can offer. Just hold on to it.
Cheers,
M@
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