Are We There Yet?

"Are we there yet?"  Oh my goodness, how many times do parents hear that question while raising their kids?  Let's see, for me, 9 kids multiplied by... well never mind that!  I just know it is a lot.  Aren't we impatient people?

I asked that question silently many times during that flight, while getting our luggage off the "luggage go round," while waiting for a car rental, then while driving the rest of the way to our destination.  I needed to get to my boy, I needed to be with people who could fill in gaps.  I needed my Mom, I needed to see my daughter, Sara. There were so many questions, and information was only trickling in at a snail's pace.  


By this time we knew where the accident had taken place and we knew we would be driving past it.  My stomach was in knots as we neared the location.  We slowed only a bit and there, across the median, we could see where the barrier and cables had been knocked down, and we could see painted circles (yes circles with an "s") on the highway indicating where his body had been.  I do not wish to go into details; suffice it to say that it was horrible to see and I was beginning to feel like this may just be real and not the dream I was hoping to wake up from. 

Even though my son and his wife were separated at the time of his death, she had been extremely considerate in trying to keep us updated.  We made arrangements to meet her at the house where George had been living.  (We were supposed to be living with him there in a few months!!!)   After about an hour more of driving we arrived at his house.  I didn't have to ask myself, "are we there yet?" anymore.  We were finally there, but I wasn't so sure I wanted to be.

Yes, we are impatient people, wanting this, wanting that.  One of the many lessons I have learned from losing my child is how very unpredictable and how very short life is.  We need to work harder at living in the moment, appreciating what we have right now.   Let's not be so quick to ask, "are we there yet?"  We may just miss the best time of our life!  And remember, there is

Sunshine After the Storm!
Blessings,
Betsy