The Rest of the Story

I know that some of you have been waiting with bated breath to find out if we ever actually made it to Colorado or not.  I apologize for the delay.  To be honest, I didn't really want to think about our last travel day for a while.  Now that I have gotten over it somewhat, I am pleased to present the final installment in my Holiday Travel Poetic Trilogy...

One Sunny Monday

At five in the morning my alarm made its sound.

I jumped out of bed and began looking around.

We needed to gather all of our stuff,

For if we forgot it, life would be rough.

We woke up the kids, and we went out the door.

Logan International Airport is what we're headed for.

That's when things started to go not our way,

and the next 21 hours were a really "unique" day.

It started with traffic--both outside and in.

People were everywhere, we just couldn't win.

We were randomly chosen for a second screening.

The security guards gave us a good preening.

They patted down Evie and Eldan too.

I'm not really sure what they thought kids would do.

We got on our plane and were doing just fine,

Until the pilot said we wouldn't leave on time.

Our flight out of Boston was an hour or so late,

And that destined us to a traveler's worst fate.

Our connection to Denver we missed at midday,

And our disappointment I can hardly relay

When the man at the counter said our next flight

Wouldn't leave Atlanta until nine that same night!

It was just barely lunch time when we got this news,

And I'll tell you the truth--there were some "Boo-hoos!"

We ate and we waited and we waited some more.

We walked up and down the Concourse E floor.

I paid seven dollars to go internet surfing,

But, par for the course, the connection was not working.

People around us were grumpy and mad.

While we were just tired and lonely and sad.

There was one idea that we could all try.

It was leaving earlier by flying standby.

On the four-thirty flight we didn't get called,

And for the six-thirty flight my hopes were a bit stalled.

Yet, lo and behold, there was room for us all.

And when our name they said, we answered the call.

A row to ourselves we were given with glee,

And look! They even have in-flight entertainment for free!

Yet, the four hour flight was spent with some groans,

From hunger, fatigue, and malfunctioning headphones!

"Oh well," I thought, "Just a bit irritating.

At least I know my family is waiting!"

I thought this because I had texted our flight

To my mom on her cell phone earlier that night.

Yet, unknown to me, a problem with the phone

Meant all of my family was sitting at home.

When our plane in Denver finally landed

Another full hour we would be stranded.

By this time it was nearly ten in the night

And our two little munchkins were losing the fight.

They both fell asleep--get some much needed rest.

I have to admit, they both did their best.

In spite all the troubles with which our pathway was paved,

Both of our children were quite well behaved.

I wish I could say the same for their dad.

On several occasions, my attitude was bad.

And now this poem I am glad I'm concluding.

Sometime after midnight we were in our bed snoozing.

Tuesday we woke with our attitude sunny,

And looking back now...our trip was quite funny...

Well, sort of.

Before I finish my holiday rhymes,

I feel I must add two final lines.

There is one bit of info this poem can't lack.

A week from this Saturday...we have to fly back!!!!!!!!!!

A Flourishing Poet

Now that I have started, the rhymes just keep coming...

One Windy Sunday

We finally woke up about eight-thirty or nine.

With nowhere to go, we had plenty of time.

A mid-morning breakfast of the continental kind,

And we were quickly putting our troubles behind.

But, then, a hiccup of no small proportion--

My wife informed me of a horrible notion.

Our diaper supply was running dangerously low,

And our children's bowels were not very slow.

If we didn't do something in one glorious swoop,

Our hotel room would be swimming in piles of diapers.

There was no alternative--the decision was quick.

Off in the snow, I would bound like St. Nick.

"Why must you walk?" wondering you are.

The answer is simple--We don't have a car!

I bundled up tight, and I went out the door.

Diapers and lunch is what I'm looking for.

The wind is ferocious--it's over the top.

But I soon find my way to the store Stop n' Shop.

A few minutes later, I'm carrying my sack.

Only this time I have the wind to my back.

A victorious return to my Comfort Inn pad,

And for the most part the walk wasn't that bad.

Lunch, naps, and football take the rest of the day.

Oh, and more Mexican dinner was coming our way.

I tried checking in online for our flight,

But for some unknown reason Delta wouldn't bite.

So it's until early Monday that we must all wait

To learn if flying is our Christmas fate.

8:25 is our target time.

So check back tomorrow for my last traveling rhyme.

Here We Go...Again

It appears that I will have some time on my hands today, so...
I thought I would try my hand at some poetry.

One Snowy Saturday

We woke with our hopes as high as the sky

That we would get on a plane and be able to fly.

Colorado was our destination

For a glorious family Christmas celebration.

But, alas, as in the airport we found ourselves standing,

We realized our plane would not soon be landing--

Or taxiing, or cruising, or any such thing.

Does all this have a familiar ring?

Our flight had been cancelled--rejected, denied!

I looked at my wife and we both almost cried.

Nothing out of Boston today, I'm afraid.

Our Christmas vacation will be slightly delayed.

I talked to the lady at the counter for a while

Who tried to assist us with a half-hearted smile.

She said, "I can get you on a flight tomorrow for free."

But she failed to mention that it passed through Chile!

"No thanks," I responded as I looked at the gates,

"For now we will try to stay in the States!"

She had one more flight that left on Sunday,

But another snow storm was headed our way.

I decided to try and get ahead of the game,

So for a flight on Monday, I put down my name.

Rather than drive through the weather as well,

I decided we would stay in a local hotel.

After freezing while waiting for the shuttle to come,

We dragged all our stuff to room 821.

After a Mexican dinner and some Sour Patch Candy

We lay in our beds--for once feeling dandy!

But then the baby, she started to cry,

And for the life of us both, we didn't know why!

My wife tried to calm her and settle her down,

But poor little Evelyn was stuck with a frown!

After what seemed like an hour or two

She finally calmed down. But then, you know who!

Mr. Eldan decided to wake up and scream,

I think he was having some sort of bad dream!

At last both the kids were sleeping away

And we could call an end to a difficult day.

If you want to know how things will conclude,

Just check back here soon--for the next interlude!

One of My Most Favorite and Least Favorite Quotes

"Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

Here We Go

I woke up this morning and spent an hour shoveling nine inches of snow off my driveway.  I noticed that I sounded a little like a women's tennis match as I grunted and groaned with each shovel-full.  At least I have a real snow shovel now instead of using the midget-edition I had to work with last year.

Despite nearly 14 hours of snowfall, the airport at Boston appears to be running normally, so...we are about an hour away from loading up the van and beginning our annual Holiday Trek across the country to be with family.  If all goes according to plan, we should be touching down in Denver shortly after 9 o'clock this evening (Mountain Standard Time).

The real question is...will everything go according to plan?  The Lord knows and we will too soon enough.

To those of you traveling this week--may God be with you.

To those of you not traveling this week--pray for those of us who are.

To everyone--Merry Christmas!

Season's Greetings (Video Version)

Season's Greetings (Still Version)

Although we would like to include everyone we know on our Christmas mailing list, alas--our finances do not allow for such a thing!  As a consolation to those who do not receive an actual Christmas card from us, I have posted the image below.  Enjoy the holidays responsibly.