Our sailor is home!

I posted "THE" Blizzard as a draft to be sure Alicia's ' sister Keri didn't find it. She should have been home about 10:30 AM Thursday the 21st. She arrived late Friday night, about 8:00. Her boy friend, Josh, arranged for her to get a bus home. A cab ride would cost about $50 to get to the bus terminal from the airport. She was crying and almost hysterical saying she "would never make it home...". A Lt. Commander named Don Thomas heard her and realized her situation was desperate, for all of us. He offered to drive her to the bus station, if only they could get there on time. Off they went. The bus was full and it would be about 4 hours before another one showed up. But, after about $150, she was finally headed home. While on the bus she received news from Continental she had a confirmed reservation for a 12:30 departure, putting her in Denver about 2, Thursday afternoon. Dang dabit. If only she had waited it out at the airport! But, if she had, things might have been different and not gone as it did. Who knows if it was God's timing and there was a reason for her to be delayed, well, the CONFIRMED reservation wouldn't have happened, and as we learned today, the airlines were telling everyone that without that confirmed they would just have to go home and forget there traveling plans. If Satan was involved, (I encouraged her to stay the Rosary, as I tried to.), all would have been lost. I believe God sent a cohort of St. Michael's to her by the name of Thomas. Thank you God for that. No regrets, maybe lessons learned, but who could know what the situation would be. It all worked out. She surprised everyone, tears shed round the wrapped box her sister-in-law put together for her to pop out of. Thank you Shannon. Now, the question, "Was David really surprised?" How did Shannon pull that part off. Luckily she had her mom to talk to. It was hard enough not being able to talk to anyone as our excitement kept bubbling up. But then when everything started falling apart- aghhhh. We had to talk about it, and David was home due to the snow storm so that was difficult. Now, everyone is just sooo happy. I love my children so very very much.


Merry Christmas to all, and peace to the world.

THE blizzard

This blog is out of sequence as later you will be reading about our elk herd in the past spring and summer then fall. But this is just to hard not to write about now, as I experience it. Later I will attempt to lead any reader to another blog I love reading. One of my daughters writings about high emotions and love of her sister. We have a surprise for her for this Christmas and later you will understand the coyness.

I have a daughter in the Navy. She was supposed to be coming home today, Dec. 21st. She was going to surprise her dad and siblings by popping out a wrapped box. I can't be there, but I'm hoping for a video. She called at 4 o'clock in tears. They are telling me not to leave, I'll never get there. DIA had closed down yesterday and the snow was still falling. Come on anyway I advised her. WE WILL get you home. She had a scheduled stop in Houston. Surely, the projected opening at 7pm tonight would just be precautionary. No matter how much snow we get in Colorado, once the sun is out, roads are just great. Had to be true for the airport too. Numerous text messages and calls had me losing hope. Then they throw the final towel in. The airport won't open until noon tomorrow at noon if lucky. WHAT THE ----!! that is ridiculous. Dad would have a fit had he still been in Denver government. If he were still alive he would help me help her. Damn death. I was so excited for a white Christmas. And for them to have great time snowboarding and playing like little kids again. I was unable to tell her the latest news. Luckily her boyfriend had been working on solutions all morning as well, and according to her sister, he is unbelievable when it comes to calming her. But she has been in tears all day. Now I am so close as well. Later I will tell you the final outcome. On the 4 o'clock news they are doing their best at showing us the airport and how much equipment is working at clearing not just 2 feet or more of snow, but drifts that rival Trail Ridge road. Some roads around the state look just wet. Of course we are only looking at maybe one lane of 5 lane and more highways. Everything is closed. I guess I can understand how awful this is and why they have to be very careful and sure that all is safe before risking anything. But this close to Christmas, and literally tens of thousands of flights canceled --should she have stayed in Florida and not wasted her few precious days of leave where warm. None of us could even get to her, meet her half way or anything. Do we let the secret out so everyone can console her and spend time with her on the phone?? Which is harder, knowing your loved one, in the military, won't be home for special holidays, or thinking/planning they will be home, are eventually a seemingly short way away, but stranded. I'm sure the day will come when I have to know. I was so hoping for this to work out. It may be the only time possible for YEARS to come. 6 maybe. And when her Ranger boyfriend is deployed, God only knows if and when they will be together again. Damn fate. Thank God for faith. For everything there is a purpose. I love you kiddo. And Keri, I'm so thankful you don't know what is going on. You would try to walk out to her during an irrational moment. I know because I want to. Your love for each other, and your brothers means more to me than you can ever know. Merry Christmas all.

The setting

God closed the door on my being able to continue living in my apartment. A small, one bedroom apartment I lived in from 2003 until 2005. Numerous other tenets had to leave Estes in order to find housing they could afford. My patience and faith held fast, and once again the window God opened for me was so much more I could have ever hoped for. I won't leave this Talons Pointe unless it is feet first! As a result of health concerns I qualified for a two bedroom unit. I can't believe every room is packed and not all my furniture came with me! How the heck did everything fit into that one bedroom apartment? I look out onto a lush wet lands, protected from any development. There isn't a building in sight as I lay in bed, whether it be at night or during a flare up or bad day. Mountains loom to the East, and when I'm up I do see the Good Samaritan complex beyond the meadow. It is aesthetically pleasing, and quiet. In the spring and summer the sun wakes me, and I must be careful opening my eyes because I literally will look directly into the sun. By winter the sun has moved further south and I only see parts of the meadow illuminated by warming rays and various shadows. These days one is blessed to have such an unobstructed view. Thank you dear Lord for this gorgeous view from my window!