 | 2 Sep 09 |
Okay, set to come here—New Orleans–this morning, and naturally, nothing goes smoothly. Chynna is suddenly in agony with her ear. It’s six in the morning. Okay, the last time I went to emergency room, we sat there for six hours. I decided to get her to our doctor, a personal friend. Problem was, we are due to leave Miami at ten-thirty. Connie is already on her way to the Monteleone with a truck full of papers, costumes, decorations, giveaway and more. A big truck. Tons of stuff. Must be unloaded and arranged in the holding room.
So . . . .
Caitlin, our friend, and daughter of Debbie Richardson, my friend for many years, has moved to Florida. She is coming with us to NOLA, where she’ll get to see her mom.
I really need to take that plane, and Caitlin can get to the doctor with Chynna, and then on a plane in a day or two. I have to call the airlines.
First, it doesn’t matter that I’m dealing with a medical emergency. I must pay the fare difference and a hundred and fifty dollars a ticket for a change fee. I have no choice—I can’t make a child fly with an ear infection that has her in tears.
Okay, so I have taken Chynna out of the seat next to me, obviously, since I just paid all that money to change her ticket. I asked if I could use the same upgrades to get my sister-in-law next to me.
The agent told me he’d have to see if there was a seat there! I tried to point out that there had to be, since we had just taken Chynna out of it.
Still took a while. Somehow, that logic was lost on the agent. I had actually just told the fellow that I didn’t hold airline policy against him. He told me it was his fault because it was his airline and his policy. I said that if it was his policy and he understood the concept of airplanes, pressure, and the possibility of a bursting eardrum, he could and should change the policy. That was entirely lost on him. He did not get my logic, or sense of humor.
So, I am in NOLA, and Chynna is home, and I’m happy to be here, setting up for writers for New Orleans. And I’m worried because I just left her home. Torn. Hm. That’s the choice we make when we become parents. Maybe an only child . . . .
No, then I’d smother the poor thing.
Ah, well, she has made it to the doctor, has an outer and an inner ear infection, but she’s now on antibiotics and had all the proper work done, so I’m hoping all will go well and she’s up here in a day or two. Actually, in a few days, I think I have all five of them. Many friends, five kids, and my daughter-in-law. I love the city; it is a cause to me, and to the friends who come, and who can’t come, but do so much to help, sending books for giveaways and more.
It’s going to be fine–except that I’m shaking.
I have to change that airline ticket one more time.
It’s the little stuff that gets ya!
I keep telling myself to chill-I am in The Big Easy after all!
© 2009, Heather Graham. All rights reserved.
Heather Graham has appeared on Entertainment Tonight, Romantically Speaking, a TV talk show that aired nationwide on the Romance Classics cable channel, and CBS Sunday News. She has been quoted in People and USA Today, been profiled in The Nation, and featured in Good Housekeeping. Her books have been selections for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild. She has been published across the world in more than 15 languages and has published over 70 titles, including anthologies and short stories.
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One more “sleeps” and a 12-hour drive and I’ll be there in New Orleans with you! I could tell you how much my CP and I are looking forward to this trip, this conference, and this time to introduce her to NOLA and me get reacquainted but then I’d be here typing all day instead of doing laundry, packing, and finishing off my pirate’s costume!
I’m so sorry to hear about Chynna’s ear infection. That hurts! Bad! The Only (yes, I only have one and no, actually I didn’t smoother her) was prone to them when she was younger. Nothing seems to work to ease the pain except clearing up the infection. Here’s hoping things go smoothly!
As for “bureaucrats?” Doesn’t matter if they’re governmental, institutional, or corporate, they all undergo a logicectomy when they’re hired. Good luck with that!
by Silver James September 2nd, 2009 at 5:19 amLogicectomy?? Love the word…and it does seem that way, doesn’t it? My best friend was traveling a few weeks ago with her son/my godson, who is autistic. When they got on the plane (or ready to board or something) it was discovered that of their assigned seats, one was broken. So the airline separated them. An 8yo ‘special needs’ child and his mother. Couldn’t separate an older couple, had to separate mom from child.
Hope the conference is a success and that the weather is great.
by Lorena September 2nd, 2009 at 5:45 amOMG! Ear Infections are horrible. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.
I have 5 and do have a tendancy to hover too much. I just wish I looked half as good as you. Did you really mean you have a daughter-in-law? Would NEVER have thought that.
Have a great time and may everyone stay safe.
by HollyD September 2nd, 2009 at 6:16 amEar infections are horrible. I’m still prone to them as an adult(was told I should have had tubes put in as a child). Hope Chynna feels better soon and everyone has a great time in New Orleans.
by Liza September 2nd, 2009 at 7:35 amHave fun, Heather! Wish I were there! And bless Chynna’s heart!
by Debra webb September 2nd, 2009 at 9:37 amHeather, hope the little one feels better soon. Ear infections suck. Have fun in Naw’lins.
by Jill James September 2nd, 2009 at 11:07 amSome times airline policy doesn’t make any sense. I was in Singapore on a three month trip home (had just finished 3 years in the Peace Corps) when I got word my mother was dying. My ticket was from the Philippines to Montreal with about a dozen stops along the way through Asia and the Middle East. To change it to a flight straight to Montreal with one or two stops cost an additional $100 or so and that was 38 years ago. You can get compassionate rates when there has been a death in the family, an illness that prevents you from flying should fall into the same category. If they want more people to fly, they shouldn’t make it more difficult and expensive.
by Patricia Barraclough September 2nd, 2009 at 6:54 pmEnjoy your time in New Orleans. It is on the top of my list for places in the U.S. to visit.. I had tried to get my husband to go for years before Katrina.
Thank you all. The saga continues! Chynna can’t fly for a week. I panicked, not about NOLA, but about her school. Anyway, she and Caitlin are getting on a Greyhound bus. The train from Miami yo New Orleans went through North Carolina and would have taken three days. So she will be here Friday night.
by heather September 2nd, 2009 at 10:06 pm