January's Traveling Mercies and Memories

In late December/early January, my sister proposed a joint trip to visit our parents (who live in assisted living in Largo, Florida). I had not been down to see them since my father's January 2020 fall, when he broke his arm while they were still living in their own house in Pinellas Park. Over these past three years, I have been grateful that the Lord has provided protection and care for them in this stellar facility, Cypress Palms. They receive wonderful meals, excellent fellowship and stimulation, and regular assistance for daily needs. My parents love it there, and I am thrilled to know someone is always near if they need help.

I think my reluctance to visit stemmed from a pandemic-induced discomfort with flying. Add in the December breakdown of Southwest (my preferred airline, because they fly non-stop) and I was still very hesitant to make the trip. But I longed to see my parents (and my sister) enough to brave the difficulties associated with travel. Then, I decided, if I'm getting on a plane to visit my folks, I might as well get on one additional plane and stretch the trip out with a visit to my oldest son, Bryce. January isn't the most appealing month to travel, but it was cheaper than waiting for March or April. Facebook friends I was praying for asked if they could return the favor by praying for me, so I mentioned my anxiety over my upcoming trip. Thanks to their intercession and God's gracious hand, the trip went almost without a hitch.

My Southwest flight from Indy to Tampa left bright and early on January 24th and evidence of God's hand surrounded the experience. On the return drive from dropping me at the airport, my husband said he saw a huge bottleneck of traffic on the other side (the one leading to the airport). We just missed this mess, and I made my flight with enough time to fit in my morning prayers (for my FB people). When I arrived in Tampa, I was prepared to wait for my sister's Dallas flight to arrive a few hours later, however her initial Lubbock flight was still on the runway, enduring 5 full hours of de-icing attempts. It was clear she wouldn't arrive soon, and I didn't want to drag my dad out with my mother to the airport twice. I had searched for alternative options just the day before and happened upon an express bus that could get me all the way to the Largo Ulmerton Road Park and Ride. Just as I found the 300x bus stop, the bus pulled up, and I made a snap decision to climb aboard. You can't beat the 300x bus! For $2.25, I was on my way to Largo!

My parents were at lunch, so I walked to the Wendy's next door and purchased my lunch while waiting for them to come for me. During that first day's visit, a routine played out again and again. My mother, seeing me sitting in their living room, would say, "Oh, what's your name?" I'd answer, and she'd reply, "I have a daughter named Wendy." We would point out that I am that daughter and she would smile and say, "Oh, you are? I love you!" Five to ten minutes on, it would repeat. Thankfully, she wasn't all that ruffled by our visit. I had feared we would overwhelm her, especially with two of us interloping into their territory. When Dawn's two flights finally landed her in Tampa, she took the 300x, and I stayed with my mother while my dad ran to pick Dawn up from the park and ride lot.

Dawn had already expressed some concern about my 4-5 a.m. waking time, which is 3-4 a.m. for her body clock. However, we stayed in a lovely hotel, Home 2 Suites, with a perfect room set-up so that my early morning rising didn't bother her. I so appreciated the curtain dividing the room.

On Wednesday, after a brief morning visit, we left to find lunch and to shop for some clothes my dad wanted Dawn to purchase for my mom. We landed at an outstanding Mexican restaurant, Los Magueyes Mexican Grill, in Largo. I highly recommend it if you are ever in Largo! My chicken and spinach quesadilla (with the accompanying salad, sour cream, and guacamole) was packed full and so delicious that we determined to return (Friday) for another meal before our 3-day visit was done.

By the time Friday, our departure date, rolled around, my mother was remembering us a bit more. During her afternoon scheduled bathing time, we drove to Clearwater Beach to see the ocean. Although we didn't have time to do more than snap a few photos, it was lovely.

My parents then took us to the Tampa Airport. My American Airlines Tampa to Dallas-Fort Worth flight went well, and Bryce was there waiting for me in the pickup lanes. He wanted to take me to a Mexican restaurant in Rockwall, TX, on the waterfront, but since I'd already had Mexican twice, he settled on an interesting restaurant/bar with plates adorning the walls and ceiling (Flying Saucer on the Lake).

Saturday we went to Bryce's girlfriend's parents' house in Plano, Texas, for a delicious brunch, where I met Elizabeth's parents, grandparents, and an aunt and uncle. Then Elizabeth and Bryce whisked me off for an intensive walking tour of Dallas - ha! Well, I don't think they intended a walking tour, but it was quite a bit of walking for me. We drove to the Sixth Floor Museum (getting a view of the spot of J.F.K.'s assassination). Then, we walked across Dallas to the Immersive Monet Experience. (On our way, they stopped to show me the giant eye - a landmark:)

I had wondered about the immersive experience when the Van Gogh one came to Indianapolis, but found no one to accompany me. Although I was pretty sure you were supposed to walk through the rooms, we stayed put in the first room for an entire cycle of the experience. My favorite part was a section paired with a shortened version of Ravel's Bolero. As we attempted to depart from the curtained door where we had entered, an attendant explained and then we walked through the other rooms to see various methods of experiencing the show.

Next, they wanted to give me a good view of the city, so we went in search of the Petroleum Club in the Chase Building (Elizabeth's father could get us permitted entrance) but discovered, upon arrival (and after much walking) that the Petroleum Club had recently moved to their new building. We walked to that building, but it was closed (although we saw an interesting pendulum swinging in the entrance area). So, we departed and trekked to our dinner location in the interesting Klyde Warren Park, a park built right over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. The park looked like a fabulous place to bring children - interesting climbing and play structures. We dined at Mi Cocina (yes, Mexican again, but no complaints from me) and called an Uber to take us back to the Sixth Floor Museum parking lot. I was exhausted, but full of fond memories.

Sunday morning, Bryce and Elizabeth wanted to watch the Purdue basketball game, so we went to The Ice House, intending to sit outdoors and view it on the overhead screens. Alas, it was absolutely arctic that morning, so we retreated indoors. I had a delicious BLT and mostly listened to the conversation between Bryce, Elizabeth, and her parents instead of watching the game. From there, we went back to Elizabeth's parent's house and played several rousing hands of Monopoly Deal while watching a few football games. 

On the drive back to Bryce's apartment, I received a text saying they had cancelled my Monday morning flight and re-booked me on the 8 p.m. flight. This was alarming news since they expected an ice storm to begin sometime on Monday or Tuesday. Thankfully, Bryce's workplace closed down early for the day and he drove me to the airport. Despite cancellation of 2/3rds of all flights out of Dallas Love's Field, my 8 p.m. flight took off as scheduled and I landed in Indianapolis at 11 p.m. that night. If I hadn't been able to catch that flight, Bryce would have been stuck with me until Friday since the ice storm lasted 3 days (thankfully, Bryce could work from home). While it was a good trip, full of excellent visits with loved ones, I so appreciate getting home and back into my routines (especially my prayer routine, disrupted the day we walked all over Dallas and made up the following day with an extra prayer slot).