Another Day in Paradise: July 2015

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Week 28

Editor's note: Sorry, not sorry for all the pool pictures. It's been a theme of our summer. A good theme; a welcome one.

Monday, July 6th

Week #2 of camp for C. This week was the high schoolers. Both Maddy and C went, but I was off my picture game because I was helping with registration.

Back at home, we did our best to try to have some fun.

Amanda's quite the whistler.

Monday was new-garage-door day. The original wood ones were literally falling apart.

Tuesday, July 7th
I went down to Sloan to be with Lisa. We spent the day together. It was a lot for me to take in, but I love that girl. She's amazing and it was a privilege to spend some time with her in her recovery.

Wednesday, July 8th
I went to the gym, then got to work on the high part of the foyer. Just a little bit scary!

Nathanael has had the aWeSoMe opportunity to get in on Uncle Jon's skating clinic twice a week this summer. He's the youngest kid. It's an hour of dryland and an hour of ice time. Jonathan is re-teaching these kids their stride and how to maximize their skating ability. The day after the first session, he was in the driveway practicing what he learned.

Mid morning, I came off the ladder to talk to Shaun and realized Lisa was not going to be coming home. In less than an hour, I was showered, had packed a bag, and was out the door to head back down to New York. My sweet man took the kids, no questions asked and even prepared a snack for my journey.

Later in the day, I stepped out to grab some dinner. A block from the hospital, a crowd was gathered near a park. I quickly surmised that a woman (the one in white shorts) had lost her child. She was hysterical. Completely distraught and inconsolable. I continued walking and on my way back, a bigger crowd, more police, and the father of the child were gathered. (I'm guessing it had been awhile if Dad had had time to get there from wherever he was.) I stuck around to watch for a few minutes. Mom was completely out of control hysterical. But then a cop told her that they had the five year old girl a couple blocks away. This woman was so distraught she was screaming, "Show me! Show me! I don't believe you.!!!" A shout of relief, clapping, and even a couple of Hallelujahs erupted from the crowd. Every mother there felt her pain. Can't even imagine!!!

The view from Lisa's room.

Oh my gosh! A story. I'll try to keep it short and hit the highlights. I determined late in the day that I would stay over. I booked a hotel online and realized only after my first mistake. It was nearly 40 blocks away. No matter. I could use a walk to clear my head.

I arrived in the lobby at 10:30pm only to discover 30 people in line before me. It looked more like the airport than a hotel lobby. I took a deep breath, praying that the line would move quickly. As my lack of luck would have it, this was a line full of non-English speaking people and every guest was taking 20 minutes to check in.

Half an hour into the fun I called the hotel from my phone in line and asked them to please put out other desk clerks or to create an English speaking line for those of us who just needed to swipe our card.

At one point a woman cut me. I wasn't having it. And then just as I was at the front of the line I was accused of skipping the line. I was mad. It was now 11:30 and I was only there to sleep quick and return to the hospital.

When I'm dealing with the public in our home area, I generally attempt self-control 1) because I'm a Christian, 2) to set an example for my kids, and 3) because our church is so big, I never know if someone my recognize me from church. But this night was no holds bar. I let the desk clerk know that the wait was unacceptable and he'd need to reduce my rate. He pushed me to the manager, who I also had a word or three for. I said, "I have to be back at the hospital at 6am and I just lost an hour of sleep in your line. I'd like you to reduce my rate."

His answer: I'm sorry. I cannot reduce your rate, but I can offer you late check-out.

Idiot!!! I wish that was the end of sad tale, but no. It was a crummy, out-dated room with a remote that didn't work. How bad? you ask. So bad that I didn't even take a shower!

The worst part was was I knew better. I knew not to roll the dice and go no-name. I should have spent the extra $20 for the chain I recognized.

Thursday, July 9th
Just a little three mile walk to the hospital to start my day.

I had a great day with Lisa. Well, as great as great can be when your sister's laying in bed in pain at Sloan-Kettering. But I cherish any time with her. It was determined that she would not be going home this day, either, so I headed home. My route takes me through Central Park.