From Live Oak, finally.

Due to bad weather and delays at the Newark, N.J. airport, I never made my Saturday flight out. Instead, my original airline arranged for me to fly a different airline and itinerary the following morning. And when I called for seat assignments, I had the most unbelievable conversation with the airline rep. Not only did he tell me NOT to tell the airline of my special needs/back injury, he threatened that the airline could deny me boarding because they had not been given 48 hours to review my doctor's note. And then he also suggested I should request an emergency exit seat in order to be more comfortable, despite my reminder that I was injured (he told me not to mention it)! And then he proceeded to ask me if I had been taken off the original flight because I was too big. I so hope they taped that call, because when I get back home I will be writing a letter!

Sunday at 4 AM I gave it a second try, and this time made it to Orlando. My dear friend Tia showed up soon afterwards to pick me up, and we headed to Downtown Disney. We had a wonderful lunch there, and picked up some goodies for hubby and Kerri. And then we went to get Sadie, Tia's beautiful red headed doberman. Sadie, Tia, and I had a great trip North to my Dad's house, where I was so busy talking that I passed the rural street we were supposed to turn on. It did not help that it was pitch dark and that someone had cut down all the trees, which were my landmark. After quick hugs, Tia headed home and I came back to the house I have been to so many times before, but for the first time, without my Mom waiting for me.

The next morning came the hard part, starting my duties as Mom's personal representative. Dad seems to be doing OK, but it just seems so weird to be here without Mom. I keep looking for her, or waiting for her to call out to me.

Kerri seems to be handling the separation well. She is busy playing with the new Wii I bought as a surprise right before I left. Daddy and Nana have taken her out to eat her favorite french fries, and even gifted her with a new Disney movie. And when I call to tuck her in at night, she tells me that she loves me "from the South Pole all the way to Canada and back". How can I make my beautiful daughter understand that the universe is not big enough to describe our love for her?

Life with Kerri is just not the same without her nearby.