Let’s see…where did we leave off? Ah! Texas. Right.
I spent two nights with John and Habe, mom’s old boss and her best friend. There were manis and pedis, sushi and general relaxing. Then onward to Carol’s, right down the road, another work friend of mom’s, where there was more general relaxing and catching up.
I did take the time to drive around the neighborhood we lived in when I was in high school. The houses I lived in are different colors now, the golf course (we lived on the second hole) is now closed and the little town of Crosby has a Starbucks. There were really no feelings of loss here. I did feel sad. Sad that this was the place where mom and dad were alive. But now, it holds no real emotion for me.
The highlight of Texas was getting to see my-other-Mary’s son, Greg. We figured out we hadn’t seen each other in about 30 years. He has a son now who is just the coolest little guy ever. And seeing Greg parent this cool guy was awesome to witness.
Sunday came too soon, so I was up and driving to the airport at 8:30am for a Noonish flight. My childhood bestie, Julie, was meeting me at the airport and together, we flew to Tampa, where she lives, for four days of pool and beach living. Ah, but first – more airport hell.
For whatever reason, my TSA pre check number didn’t make it onto my reservation from Houston to Tampa. And boy howdy, the woman at the TSA pre check line let me know as I approached her. She took on look at my boarding pass and pointed and said “This is not pre check. Back of the line.”
The regular security line stretched outside of the airport, and wound twice in the departures drop off area. And of course I made a friend during the two hour wait.
Side note: despite the chaos and long lines, people were surprisingly cool. People were chatting with those around them, and while yes, there was some complaining, no one lost their temper and made a scene. We were just people, existing in the same space, and making the best of it.
Once through the two hour security line, Julie had an Espresso Martini waiting for me at the bar beside our gate. Let the good times begin!