On Friday, my parents embarked on an unforgettable journey (the good kind)! They left their kids, their home, their dog and their jobs for a whole month to gallivant across Europe like 2 twitter pated kids in love! They have been calling this vacation their “25 year anniversary present” for almost 5 years now. Aptly, it is now being recognized as their 30 year anniversary present-extravaganza! So, why has it taken them nearly 5 years to proceed with this vacation? Laziness, perhaps? No desire to leave their precious offspring? Waiting for the fall of communism? Or D, none of the above?
If you chose D, you are correct! In fact, it’s wholly and justifiably the fault of all those things they left behind (kids, dog, house, jobs) why they are now just celebrating all those years together. A couple of their kids decided to get married, wreck of few cars and go on missions. You know, the same old stuff kids always do! 3 marriages, 2 missions, 5 car accidents, and 4 years later they set a date: September 3rd, 2010. They (and by “they” I mean my father) had a countdown on his phone and would periodically email my mom things like “174 days, 36 hours and 17 minutes…” Nothing could or would obstruct their view and reality of September 3rd from happening. However, that didn’t seem to keep the universe from trying. Below is a list of proceedings that took place recently that may have put this trip on further hiatus. It is my opinion that perhaps these indiscriminate, and somewhat pricey, diversions were merely the catalyst and a reaffirmation that this vacation was requisite for their survival and sanity.
June: T-minus 3 months: Boys went Jet Skiing. Dad hit rock, $2,000 charge- July: T-minus 2 months: Corolla incurred another accident. Totaled car, $2,000 repair and down a car.
- August: T-minus 3 weeks: Roxy (dog) consumed an inconsumable item, had to have emergency surgery on stomach, $1800 operation, mom was put on “poop watch” for 10 days (had to make sure her all her pipes were working), dog is still on antibiotics, and has 10 inch scar on stomach.
- August: T-minus 1 month: Mom had to have gallbladder removed. Could be 6 week recovery time, if doc can’t do surgery laparoscopiclly. Go news- all went well!
- August: T-minus 3 weeks: house alarm system is triggered when dog goes out dog door, police visit at 3 am. Luckily, no charge for this one, but need to have alarm adjusted. Scheduled to come day before they leave. No on shows… Mom doesn’t feel at ease knowing either a) alarm can’t be armed for fear of setting it off again, or b) if alarm is set, dog will set it off, police arrive, charges ensue.
- September: T-minus 1 week: Stolen Identity! Someone decided to go on a home improvement shopping spree, compliments of my parents, $1400 in charges and will have to dispute charges via electronic correspondence while in Europe.
- September: T-minus 1 day. Ethan’s phone decided to die and go to phone heaven, must have working phone so we can get a hold of the lad. $50 charge for replacement phone, dealing with phone company mumbo-jumbo, etc.
Like I previously mentioned, in reality, I think the above events actually enhanced their desire to get away from the pandemonium they left behind. Now the real question is, will the madness continue in their absence, or adjourn upon their return? Only time will tell…
2 comments:
Or they will never return to the pandemonium in Arizona.
Only you can say it just the right way. You did however forget to mention that the trip wouldn't have been possible without an almost-perfect daughter and her great husband, willing to watch over the home, the young Lad and the craxy but loveable dog. We are so blessed to have you Babes, I love you.
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