Memphis, TN
11:55 AM CST
You can’t get much better than waking up bleary eyed to a little, blonde 3 year old (almost) girl holding up a sticker book, smiling and saying hello to “Uncle Andrew.” Hope gave me a big hug and scurried around the bedroom I’m sharing with my parents. I’m on a futon mattress in the floor. This room has changed quite a bit. This used to be the big kids play room. I mean this is where the pool table was. Now, it is Brad’s office and the guest room. Hope is in the room I used to live in when I was here. Hattie’s is in the old office area. There are a lot of changes here, but the changes are incredible and amazing. I last saw my nieces during 4th of July time. They’ve grown up so much in the last 3 months. Hope can now carry on a conversation with you. She doesn’t need a high chair during meals. Hattie can be on her own and crawl. This is awesome.
I woke up at around 7:30. I wasn’t ready to be up, but I would’ve gotten out of bed at 4:30 if she wanted me to. The morning was spent playing with the kids as they got ready for their day at school. I read some books (not to) with Hope. She recited the lines. My mom and I helped get her dressed. Hattie took a nap on my dad in the rocking chair. It was a whirlwind, and then they were off. My dad and I went back to sleep. My mom did some cleaning and shut her eyes. I’ve been all over the country and talked to so many people about their jobs, but being a parent is where it’s at. It’s the hardest job going and you lose money at it, but it’s the most gratifying. I can tell it in my brother and Season. I can tell it on my last baby-meeting trip. A child changes you, no question about it. From what I’ve seen, it changes you for the better. I can’t describe the feeling since I don’t have one, but I can feel it.
I woke up from my Andrew with a crick in my neck. The shower helped it slightly. I’m not sure if I got it on the plane or here. That doesn’t really matter. I have it. The flight here was as smooth as any I can remember. It was weird flying with my parents. Take a thought back to the last time you flew with your parents. It had been a long time for us. I really can’t recall when it was. It may have been in high school. We did fine. My dad won a close cribbage game in the ROC airport. They had seats together. I was added on to the ticket, so I sat by myself. I moved into the emergency row seats. I learned that from my sales traveling; get the emergency exit row for more legroom. I’m not a big guy, but to be able to stretch is key.
There was a girl on my flight who I had a crush on in high school. I always seem to see someone I know in the ROC airport. She now wears a major engagement ring on her hand. It was good to see her. She gave me some bad news about another guy from our high school passing away. I didn’t know him well. I actually think he wanted to kick my butt back in the day, but it is a weird feeling hearing about that. She didn’t have the details, but I think he was sick and passed. You have to feel for the friends and family. We are too young to go. But it happens. I am not sure if it gets easier or harder as you get older. It’s hard no matter when.
So here I am in Memphis. We are about to head out for lunch. It’s gray and rainy and supposed to be like that for the duration. Weather is irrelevant. The company is what makes this trip.