Missing 'The Big One'

I watched it all unfold far away. I tried to be involved but found it impossible to be there. You see, the Northeast of the United States had one of those 'snowstorms of the century' this past weekend and I missed it.

I was in Florida for a few days helping my parents as my father had surgery for a bonespur on his spine. He stayed in the hospital a few days longer than expected. Not from any complications from the surgery but something unrelated and more for a precautionary standpoint. But, he is back home now. It wasn't the case for me, however, as my flight was cancelled on Saturday as the storm hit the Philadelphia area.

Mind you, I was feeling a bit guilty as my wife was now stuck with a house full of dogs and had to shovel the driveway as she didn't know how to use the snowblower. And, I was 'stuck' in 70 degree (F) weather with the sun shining brightly. (Oh, ok, it DID get down into the 50's (F)overnight one night and I had to put a long-sleeved shirt on. I'm taking it I'm not getting any sympathy for that).

So, on Saturday, I went down to Orlando airport and changed my flight for 5p to Ft. Myers to Philadelphia on Sunday. In the meantime, I was able to help my father in the house (something I didn't think I was going to be able to do based on his extended hospital stay and my travel schedule) and get him settled down and into a routine.

Sunday came and it looked like the flights were on. Except when I got to Orlando, my flight to Ft. Myers was rescheduled to 5:20p instead of 4:50p which would make me miss my connection to Philadelphia by 5 minutes. No, wait. The flight from Ft. Myers to Philadelphia has been changed to 8:15p. I got on the flight out of Orlando and hoped for the best.

As I got off the plane in Ft. Myers, I turned on my phone and instantly two messages popped up. My flight to Philadelphia was now 12:35a. UGH!!!! But, wait!!!! The second message said it was now taking off at 6:35p. I looked at my watch and it was 6:15p!!!!! Where the freak do I go? I found the first Southwest airline person and ask where do I get the Philadelphia flight? 'Well, right here!', he said. 'And, we are leaving in 15 minutes!!!!' Good thing I ate in Orlando as my original plan was to have dinner in Ft. Myers.

I took off at 7p and arrived in Philadelphia around 9:15p. And waited. And waited. A gate was not available. But, my thinking was, I, at least, was IN Philadelphia. I looked outside of the plane and saw the snow piles on the side of the runway. That IS a lot of snow out there. We found a gate and deplaned around 10p.

Got down to baggage claim and saw stacks and stacks of baggage. Patience, Joe, patience. You've gotten this far. Luckily, none of those bags were mine. But, I have no idea whose they were as there was lots of suitcases and lots of people around but not lots of people taking the already piling up bags of suitcases. A half hour later, the luggage off of my flight came out and there was mine!!!!!

After getting my car, it took about an hour to get home. My wife shoveled out just enough of the driveway to get two cars in and that was good enough for our needs. I walked in my house exhausted from the day's events but too wired to fall asleep right away. I was lying awake thankful that my father was doing better and proud that my wife handled the difficult situation of the 'snowstorm of the century' by herself. For the first time in at least a week, I was able to sleep knowing that everything is allright.

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and I hope you all have a great 2010. I anticipate many changes for me in the decade to come but let's take it one year at a time. Peace to all and I look forward to writing more in the coming year.