Travel Day – The girls were excited to be heading back to Virginia. And I felt that once we returned there would be a change to the family setting. I knew this feeling because I had felt it before. And again, this feeling would reinforce a need for my new beginnings.
We had a late afternoon flight back to Virginia so the night before we kept our bathing suits out so we could get one last day of pool activities in.
For me, morning arrived early. I was up before sunrise lying in bed contemplating the day’s activities and reminiscing on how the vacation went. I had mixed emotions; both good and challenging. But I did feel like I had some things to figure out very soon.
I made my coffee as usual and went outside to enjoy it by the pool. The outside air was warm, and the humidity was already making me feel sticky. No matter, I was enjoying the sky becoming brighter as the sun climbed higher, making the sky bluer as the early morning progressed.
I was already in my bathing suit ready for the morning. As the sun crested the house roofs across the canal, I decided to take my coffee and go out to dock to look down on the canal at the other boats that are docked. One of the boats I like to look at every year is a sailboat.
I love the concept of sailing on open water in the islands. I would love to visit as many islands as possible in the Bahamas by water. It is a dream of mine.
Before my daughters were born, my wife and I took sailing lessons so we could eventually charter a sailboat to island hop. We made it through the first lesson before the expectancy of a new family member was announced. No more lessons were planned. Parenthood took over and my dream began to fade away.
So, while holding my cup of coffee and peering down the canal at the boats tied up to the docks, I would close my eyes and this vision of waves crashing over the bow becoming airborne into a salty mist would calm any stress or anxiety I might have at that moment.
Maybe I will write a book about this dream and live it in the world of fiction. Or maybe I will become a solo traveler and get on a sailboat with some other solo travelers to go exploring. Life is short.
So, I knew that I would be the only human in the house moving around for the next several hours. The girls like to sleep in when they can and that is ok for today since it will be full of anxious moments once we get to the airport.
I came back from the dock and sat down by the pool putting my feet into the water. The water was cooling to my warm feet. I sipped my coffee for a few more minutes until my cup was nearly empty. It was time to make another cup. My morning momentum was building.
As more human activity began, there was a rush to make breakfast. On this morning it would be eggs and pastries. Nothing fancy. Everyone was still tired from all the travel. The girls quickly changed into their bathing suits and proudly announced that they were going swimming.
Once breakfast was ready, we brought it out to the table by the pool. Eating and swimming became a back-and-forth event. A few jumps into the pool followed by a couple of bites of food.
As the morning progressed, final packing exercises were performed on the luggage to make sure any shells or other breakable items brought back from the Bahamas could survive the flight back to Virginia.
Since this was an annual summer vacation trip, we had become experts in packing to protect our new collectables.
As lunchtime arrived, we enjoyed leftovers. Nothing fancy. Our task was to empty the fridge. And we would be consuming plenty of airport food once we are at the gate.
Now that swimming time was over, all the wet bathing suits were tossed into the washer for quick washing and then the dryer before packing.
Our clean and dry bathing suits were now packed and a last-minute review of the spaces we occupied was being conducted in preparation for our leaving the house to head to the airport.
So, on this day again I was only referred to by my given first name when my wife was asking a question or implementing directions. I told myself not to let this bother me. I had been preparing myself for a change in my life’s direction and the potential pathways that were being set forth.
We left the house and headed to the airport. The house is not far from the main terminal, and the drive usually takes about fifteen minutes to arrive at the airline’s departure drop off. The ride was full of conversation with the girls and granddad.
After we arrived, goodbyes were given and we then went to check in for our flight. We checked our luggage with hopes for a safe, and not too bouncy, journey in the cargo hold of the plane.
Security wasn’t too busy and we passed with ease. Of course, there were the shoes off and then back on routine.
We collected our belongings and headed to the gate to find seating before our boarding call.
Once we were at the gate, I took everyone’s food order and proceeded to the multiple food counters. I cannot get the family to eat at one place. Everyone has certain foods that they will eat, and they don’t like what other family members like. When we are home, and I am cooking, I feel like a short-order cook just to satisfy the individual food requests.
Anyway, once I had collected all the orders I headed back to the gate. Some food is eaten while we wait and the remaining food will be eaten during the flight.
Boarding time.
We get to our seats and settle in for the flight. My wife is cordial with me, but that was about it. Nothing more. And still calling me by my first name.
The flight was smooth and on time. We got off the plane without any major challenges from the girls and visited the restrooms as quickly as possible. The girls don’t like using the restroom on the plane, so they hold it. This will have to change should we ever take a long-haul trip to Europe.
After the restroom visit, we headed down to get our luggage, once again without any challenges. I do think that everyone was flat-out exhausted and just wanted to get home.
Luggage was retrieved. Now we are walking to the garage to get the car. After putting all the luggage and carryon bags into the rear compartment, we piled into the car and headed home. Conversations during the drive were very limited and semi-complimentary. I couldn’t wait to get home.
After about twenty-five minutes of driving time, we arrived home. We quickly emptied the car and stacked all the luggage and carryon bags in the hallway. The girls went to their room and I went to mine.
As I was drifting off to a well-deserved sleep, I recalled the beautiful mornings in the Bahamas. Before falling to sleep I think I remember visualizing the sun rising above a smooth ocean horizon with the clouds radiating an orange glow above the gap where the sun was now residing. This was an incredible vision that I still enjoy recalling.
I look forward to sharing next year’s return visit to the Bahamas.
Goodnight…
“Follow my website for new story vignettes”
Leave a Reply