5 Things I won't leave home without
Tuesday started out pretty normal, that is normal for our house. My mom and I had planned a day trip to Atlanta to do some buying for our shop and then I was going to take her to the airport so she could fly to see my sister in Jacksonville, Florida. The plan was drop her off after our appointment and then head back to Birmingham in time for school pick-up. I was out of town last weekend, so Michael suggested that I take Parker with me so we could have some Mommy/daughter time and since she is only in 4K it wasn't a huge deal for her to miss school. I thought it was a great idea because I could tell she was missing me and I wouldn't have this opportunity when she started "real school".
I went into her room and sat on the edge of her bed as she slept and whispered in her ear, "do you want to come to work with me?" She rolled over and opened her eyes. As the idea sunk in she smiled and hopped out of bed and started getting ready "for work". In a matter of minutes she was ready and we hopped in Mimi's car and headed to Atlanta. We each had our purse/backpack and the clothes on our back. Little did we know we were heading off on a four day adventure that would test our faith, courage, sense of humor and patience.
We hadn't been in our appointment longer that ten or fifteen minutes when we heard that the snow storm watch had turned into a warning and there was a real possibility for bad weather. As I was trying to decide if I needed to leave right away, I got the phone calls from school...schools are closing in 45 minutes. I knew that there was no way for me to get there in time to pick up Jay and Wills, but surely I would make it home.
My mom told me she would take a cab to the airport and Parker and I made our way to the car and got on the road. As we stepped outside, the first flurries fell to the ground. The flakes were gently floating from the clouds. They were small and dainty and I thought to myself, this isn't so bad. Parker and I got settled in the car and were on our way. My thoughts bounced back and forth from disbelief...the flakes are so tiny this won't amount to anything, to panic...what if we don't get home!
Things were smooth sailing for about 50 miles and then it happened! Those flakes...those tiny flakes...the ones that calmed me because of their size and gentle presence...they had fooled me. They fooled me and thousands of drivers into thinking we could make it home. In the blink of an eye everything changed. The cars in front of me slammed on brakes. It was slow motion as I pumped my brakes to slow down. I held my breath with my hands clenched trying desperately to maintain some control over our vehicle. The next thing I remember is my heart pounding and we were stopped. Each heartbeat was reminding me to breathe, breathe, breathe. I looked down and saw my white knuckles and loosened my grip on the steering wheel so that I could turn around to see Parker. And there she sat, watching a movie, so calm and peaceful. Thank you, God!
When I started to look around, I noticed the lady in the car beside me was facing the wrong direction on I-20. Cars in front and behind me had screeched and skidded to a halt. Some with less than an inch to spare; others weren't so lucky. From there we inched for a short period of time and then we stopped. It really wasn't until then that my mind slowed enough to think about what was going to happen next. We were over 100 miles from home with 1/4 of a tank of gas, no food, no luggage, and no plan! My phone was slowly losing its charge so I had to use it wisely. On my phone, I found a hotel at the next exit and called for a reservation; it was about 2.5 miles away. They assured me they had plenty of rooms and guessed it would take me about 2 hours to get there. Something made me give her my credit card number before I hung up....
Over the next few hours Parker noticed that we were stopped and started asking questions. My plan was to be strong and keep Parker calm. "Have patience, Parker". I said it as much for her as I did for me. As we waited, I mustered up every ounce of courage I could. I was texting Michael and my mom sparingly trying to remain calm but growing anxious by the minute all the while trying to explain to Parker that we were going to be ok. And then as suddenly as traffic stopped, it started again. Over the next mile or so, I weaved through jack-knifed tractor trailers and abandoned cars while sliding on a sheet of ice praying that we would make it to the hotel.
And at long last, we pulled in to what would be our home over the next four days. Hallelujah! Thank you God! Over texts my mom kept reminding me that God would take care of us. "Have Faith, Sarah!" And he did! (I remember thinking, "I just wish He would have told me to pack a bag for us, too!". Sometimes it feels good to just laugh!)
As I checked in, the employee we now know as our friend Jennifer told me how smart I was to leave my card number...she sold out of all of her rooms within 20 minutes of my call. The next few hours proved to be an emotional roller coaster as I tried to find out where the rest of my family was and be sure everyone was safe. In between phone calls, I took inventories...how much cash do I have, how long will my phone battery last, what do I have in my purse that will help/entertain in this situation. And I came up short. Category after category, I did not have the bare minimum to make it through even a night. But it was only supposed to be a DAY TRIP!
Over the course of the next three days, I was able to get change for the vending machine, found a phone charger in the lost and found (after a sweet "neighbor" lent me his for an hour or so), we walked to a Cracker Barrel and ate and bought some activities to pass the time and souvenirs for the boys, and I even got to a gas station/grocery store to get other essentials for me and the girls at the front desk (our list included diet coke and wine among other necessities). As we settled into our routine, bonded with our neighbors, and realized from news reports just how close we were from a very different outcome, I learned a few things.
First, I learned to practice what I preach. After I knew I would have a phone charger for the long haul, I started making and receiving calls. I recalled the situation to family and friends in great detail still in disbelief. At some point Parker must have grown tired of me rehashing our journey, or maybe she just wanted me to get off the phone and play with her, and she looked at me and said, "Mom, it just is what it is!" And she was right! I had a choice as to how we would spend our time because our situation was what it was. And it was then that our winter adventure began!
Second, I relearned that God gives you what you need and how important it is to have faith! We needed a warm bed and the kindness of strangers, and that we got! I also saw God working through the kindness of strangers. I love all of the great stories of people helping people!
Third, I learned 5 things that I will not leave home without. Most obvious, my phone charger. As ugly as that truth is, we rely on our phones for phone numbers, I was able to book our hotel room, and get information and directions. Another thing I will not leave home without is cash! As much as we are a swipe it society, in this time of need, I could not get food or drinks from the hotel vending machine without cash. The third thing I will never leave without is the daily medication I take for depression. This is the first time I've not had it and I can say with certainty it will be the last. Forth, I can promise you if you ever see me anywhere, I will have an extra pair of underwear!!! If you doubt it, ask me and I'll show it to you! And finally, if you remember any of this, remember this: Never leave home without letting everyone you love know that you love them! Wills was asleep so I did not wake him to say goodbye! Don't let any opportunity pass you by to show people how much you care! Make the most of your life because now is all we ever have! And remember, it is what it is!
