Monday 11/14/2005
As I said in my previous post, the day came for the girls and I to spread our wings and fly. It was chaos, so many people came to say good-bye at the airport. My stomach was turned upside down with fear, anticipation, excitement and impatience. Top that off with everyone fighting to get their last good-byes in and I just wanted to get the hell out of there. It had been about one month since I had seen Pat and we had talked maybe only 4 or 5 times during those weeks.
I had 3 very large boxes, one humungous Ultra-Wheels bag that weighed over 90 pounds and then 2 military duffles that weighed in at about the same and last but not least, 2 carry-on bags that weighed enough to make me feel like I was dragging my knuckles on the floor. Really, what in God's name does one pack for 1-3 years for themselves and their kids. I opted for everything but the furniture. Don't think I would do that again.
Anyway we were called to board the plane. I am not one that really is thrilled about flying, prefer to stay on the ground. But at this point if they would've had to crate me up I would've let em. With my two girls in tow, we gave our last good bye hugs, and off we went. I was really overwhelmed with everything, with each step closer to the door of that plane, I wanted to collapse with relief. I felt weak, tired, and really scared of what lay ahead for our lives. This was a huge relocation. Different home, different country, different culture, food, language. I'll tell you what, when Pat and I do things we don't do them half way, we jump in and sink, swim and then just float.
Our daughters were 2 and 1 at the time so I had my worries about this very long flight. If memory serves me correctly, it was a 9 hour flight. Anyway, our youngest daughter had been plagued with many ear problems over her short life, one after another sort of thing so her doc gave me a huge bottle of Amoxicillian until we got settled in France. That was one worry, the other was the horror stories that are so common about screaming, annoying kids. Not that I care when my kids pitch a fit in the store because at least there we can leave but on a plane thousands of miles above the ground and being enclosed with all sorts of people without kids themselves?
Well, we found our seats, I got them situated and then proceeded with my two as large as you can get on the plane carry-on bags full of books, cassette/head phones, crayons, cupboards of snacks, you name it I had everything I could think of for my girls hoping that that would satisfy them and keep them quiet. Then I sat. Our two year old had a little idea that we were going away but only the capacity of that of a two year old. But she was cool with it. She sat in her chair slamming her head into it. The little one, well, I knew from the moment we sat that it was not going to go well with her.
Taking off---finally the engines fired up, we trolleyed down the runway and began the take-off. My kids looked scared, awed, and excited all at the same time. We were on our way. Silly me to think that I had everything that would occupy my kids for 9 hours. My trinkets lasted all of 1 hour then it was time for me to entertain them off and on. The first 7 hours went pretty well with whining here and there, stewardess' bringing treats, helping me out, they put in a movie but of course it wasn't one the kids would like. I was exhausted.
Hour 7.5 comes and it is time to start our descent into France. It was a long slow descent obviously. Well, with each passing minute, my youngest girl would get whinier and whinier. I knew it was time for the ears to start acting up. I had stockpiles of gum which she would quickly swallow, sippee cups which she wound up throwing at me. Within about 15 minutes she was screaming!!!! Loud. I am one who blushes pretty easy. Well, I would guess that I had blushed for 1 hour straight with the looks I was getting from other passengers. I had plum run out of ideas and nothing eased her crying, if anything, the more I tried the harder she cried. The stewardess' were trying so hard to help and she would throw whatever they gave her right back at them. My worst nightmare.....ugh! It seemed that that final hour and a half dragged on longer than I had to wait to see my husband again.
I finally just left her to have her tantrum on the floor of the plane and ignore her and all the nasty looks I was getting. I was ready to scream that if they could do better then why don't they come and prove it. Our daughter was coming up on the age of two in just a couple of months and I attributed part of her tantrums on that 'Terrible Twos' syndrome. Anyway, about a half hour before the plane was to land this little twerp cried herself to sleep. Was I happy? Well, yes and no. After all I had just endured 1 hour of hell, was sweaty, irritated, couldn't leave to go to the bathroom, nothing! But she was finally quiet so in that sense yes I was happy. I had asked the stewardess if she would stand vigil so I could FINALLY get up and go to the bathroom. Upon looking in the mirror, my hair was matted to my forehead from sweat, all mussed up, I had dark circles under my eyes and I was starving and I just plain looked like I had ran a marathon or something. I said screw it, went to the bathroom and came to my seat and fell into in exhaustion and frustration.
My older daughter was an absolute dream. She tried to help with her sister, sat really well for a two year old and actually did utilize all the stuff I brought. Her favorite was her headphones. I don't recall if she had fallen asleep or not but do know that I certainly wanted to.
Well, we finally landed and my little one had to be woken up shortly before that to get her seat belt on. Needless to say it was like she hadn't skipped a beat...woke up screaming the same tune she fell asleep singing. And she looked just as exhausted as I felt. We got to the hangar and the stewardess told me to just wait while everyone else got off and then they would assist me with our bags and the girls. Fine. I had my little one hoisted on my hip and she was whimpering, messing with her ears, not a happy camper at all. I was struggling to keep her calm.
We waited, and waited and waited and with each passenger that passed, the looks I was getting were absolutely horrible. I was getting angry. For anyone who has ever complained about a screaming kid, take a moment and forgive yourself. It is no picnic for you but have a heart for the poor mom. I have a new found respect for moms who can seem to do nothing to please their kids in public. It is no fun.
As we stood there, there were no more passengers coming along and I had thought that maybe they forgot or something. I was just dripping sweat, my little one was screaming by this time and the older one was getting impatient and wanted me to carry her. But I couldn't. I finally just started walking off the plane because I got tired of waiting. I think I stood there for about 15 minutes waiting for anyone to come and assist but to no avail. Then as I was exiting the plane, along came a couple of stewardess' who scolded me, good heartedly I might add, and commenced taking my bags and the hand of my older daughter.
THANK GOD!!!! I practically wanted to run because within moments I knew that I was going to be with Pat. Or, so I thought.
....more surprises awaited us......of course.
Written by louie0768 .
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