The Easter Trip

Anxiety is already setting in as we leave today. In the middle of the night we set out in the packed up car for a 6 hour drive from Whitby to Detroit. Going across the border in the early morning, hopefully avoiding the rush of commuters all wishing to get to work on time, is the plan. Also is the hope there will be less traffic at that time of the day. We fly out from the Detroit Airport around 8:30 in the morning. We must first find our close as possible parking spot at the Park and Fly lot near the airport limiting our walking distance with all of our luggage. I walk with a cane because of my arthritis and Gary walks with a limp due to an open sore of one of his feet due to diabetes. What a pair we make.
I plan on taking my Disabled Parking Pass with me so we can use it in our rented car in San Antonio. Since you are not allowed to make duplicates of same I am wondering how will we be able to find the closest parking spot to the airport which has not been assigned for disabled use. Challenges we shall have to overcome, I guess.
Gary has requested wheelchair assistance for me counting on it being available this early in the morning. I find it difficult managing the long walking distances in an airport. Did you know the Detroit Airport is one mile long?
We have decided to take all of our luggage with us since they are charging for any checked bags. I thought in the USA most domestic flights allowed for one checked bag each without any additional fees. I guess we found an airline which is attempting to break this standard. Just our luck!
Since both of us are larger then average people fitting into the economy seats sometimes presents a challenge. We both have issues getting on the plane having to manage our luggage, dealing with other anxious passengers all wanting to do the same with the hope some Good Samaritan will come along and help with the luggage so one piece each can be stowed in the above cabinet and the other will make it under the seat at our feet.
I always ask for an isle seat, closest to the front as possible to limit my having to maneuver my way down the aisle with my cane and luggage, counting on the other passengers in my row are already in their assigned spots. I try to limit how often I have to get up and down in my seat to allow for them to get by. When I see someone beside me consume copious amounts of liquid refreshments when offered I pray they have a large bladder.  I do not want to have to get up to allow for them to relieve themselves. I limit what I will consume on a plane for the same reason. Selfish of me I know to expect the same from my fellow passengers, but it is difficult for me to get up and down in the narrow space they allow for people to sit for hours on end on a plane.
It is my hope when we get at our destination there is a friendly face at the other end and some nice person offering to help with the luggage and wheel me with it to the airport exit.
We have rented a car in San Antonio for the duration of our visit. I will happily sit in the airport with the luggage awaiting the arrival of Gary with the car.
We arrive almost four hours before we are allowed to check into our hotel. Calling to see if we could check in early did not help. They said it is unlikely. I thought they were busy solely because of the Easter Holidays. The San Antonio Spurs have made it into the Playoffs with expected sold out seats. Lots of out of town visitors will be there for the games making hotel accommodation reservations a challenge.
We will be at one of these games while visiting. Nadia has three seats set aside for her for all home games accommodating the grand-kids or other guests. The Spurs have a Family Centre at the ATT facility allowing for the staff and players to bring their children to the games. All guests are fed and catered to nicely including the children. The infant centre has staff looking after all their needs and toddlers and beyond aged children are cared for in the play room adjacent to the Family Room. They receive tremendous support from the staff making you feel extremely welcome. I believe my daughter and her husband Spurs Player # 15 Matt Bonner is arranging for two additional seats for our visit so all guests can watch the game in comfort.
Just spoke to my daughter arranging for our lunch request upon arrival. She has asked if we could pick my granddaughter EV up from her school. What a treat that will be. I have often visited this school over the past few years and take delight in their programing and how happy EV is here. Next year will reap a change for her. Should they stay in San Antonio she will change schools and start grade one. I can't believe how quickly the time has gone by. If they move to New Hampshire she will attend a local school. The selection will be suggested by another Grandmother, Paula Bonner who has taught public school aged children in the Concord, New Hampshire area for years. She will offer guidance regarding the best choice for EV.
If the Bonner family moves back to New Hampshire it will be a bonus for all family members, even the Canadian ones. New Hampshire is withing driving distance. A trip can be managed using a long weekend and maybe a day or two extra. A trip to Texas can not be managed this way. Most of your time would be spent driving. We would get to see everyone more often which would be great. I am voting on the family moving here. Matt's career will dictate their next move. We all wait with anxiety to see if he will be re-signed by the Spurs for the next Season. Part of me is voting for this to happen but the Grandma part of me is hoping for the opposite to happen. Selfish thinking I know. I do miss these little people a lot.
Can't wait until tomorrow.
The adventure begins.

Easter Visit for Grandma

Easter Visit

Off to San Antonio with Gary to spend Easter with my grandchildren. 

My 65th birthday also falls on the Easter weekend. My birthday wish was to spend my birthday with my granddaughter EV aged 5 in a couple of months and my grandson August aged 2 at the end of the summer. This visit I will stay in a hotel with Gary so as to not interrupt the day to day activities of my daughter Nadia's household or at least to attempt to minimize the impact on their lives as much as possible. Past visits to Matt and Nadia's home have been spent with them in their guest room. I become part of the background after awhile. I love these visits but they can exhaust me. There is a reason 65 year old people are not raising preschoolers. It is difficult to keep up with them and their energy level. When awake these little power houses never stop moving.
I can't wait to have their little arms around me hugging me as hard as they can and giving me lots of kisses only young uninhibited children are capable of doing.
When they are older and are more aware of other people's reactions to their actions these bouts of spontaneous shows of love and affection become less frequent. Best to take advantage of them while you can.
August and EV will enjoy the cake with lit candles to blow out more than I will. Birthdays to them are a sign of  accomplishing more. Hearing their little voices singing me the Happy Birthday song will be a delight to my ears.
When you get to my age you realize with each year you are capable of doing less. Funny how that works.