We stayed far too long, but she was so perky and we were all having so much fun that we just stayed and stayed. By the end, I was getting concerned. I kept thinking about Rudy and how when people visited, he looked great, but then once everyone was gone, he'd feel terrible. Once I got that thought into my head, I kept trying to herd everyone out. I hope Lou didn't think I didn't want to stay for any other reason. I want to see her well so we can all get together for the lunch we're starting to plan with more of the family. We call these lunches mini-reunions.
On a funnier note, anytime Nancy, Linda and I are together, there will be some craziness. For those who don't know, Nancy and Linda are my sisters-in-law. Now, Nancy and Linda would prefer that I keep our latest adventure on the QT because their daughters, Denise and Carly, will raz them a bit, but that's not stopping me. I know that when it's our time, our eulogies will contain references to the many times we've messed up. Some of the stories are legendary in the family. I am no longer embarrassed. I found that once I accepted being nuts, I was able to relax and enjoy the adventure.
So, we got in Nancy's truck and headed North. That's how many of the adventures begin. Our destination was Gwinett Medical Center, which I'll refer to as GMC from here on). Mike had given us good directions. We made it there just fine and were please to be there.
We went in, marched over to the reception desk to state our business and verify the room number. We were at the wrong hospital. It was within the same system - see that little heart-like design on the building? We'll see that symbol a couple more times. So the ladies at the desk gave us directions to GMC.
I don't know why I decided to capture the parking lot scene, but I had a feeling there was a story in it.
So, back on the road again.
Luckily our destination was supposed to be close. We'd been told to stay on hwy 120. We couldn't miss it.
We stayed on 120. I confirmed every step with Google Maps, which told me we were at GMC at our next stop. We weren't. We were at their rehab center.
We knew this wasn't right. Linda and I marched in. There was no reception desk, so we went to the first place we saw - a nurses station and I said (a little too strongly), "HELP!" That probably isn't the best thing to say when walking into a medical facility when you only need directions.
Turns out we were close. We needed to make a little turn and continue on a mile or two.
Back on the road again. As I clicked this time, Linda and Nancy became more suspicious of my intent.
I'm happy to say, we finally made our destination and all was well from this point on, until...
On the way home, we hit a good bit of traffic. There were lots of fender benders along the way. We called the hero guys to help a motorist who was trying to push his car in the center lane of the expressway. We played dodge car a bit, especially trying to get out of the HOV lane for passing emergency vehicles. One of the funniest moments, which I'll leave to your imagination, involved the question, "Is this a lane?"
So here's the my take on this day. To many, the whole arriving and departing craziness would be dreadful and exhausting and negative. I disagree. It's a big part of the adventure. I had a wonderful time!
One more little thing... once I got back to Linda's, she showed me a family photo our cousin, Darlene, had given her. Margaret Mitchell is in the photo!!! MM was writing a story about the family. MM is the one in dark clothes with a big black hat. She's at the left end of the second standing row from the bottom. There's a girl in mostly white standing right in front of her. The photo is framed and behind glass, so my photo isn't great. I think Linda said the photo is from the 1920's. I'll put this photo on Facebook and hopefully, Linda and Darlene and anyone who knows will tag people they can identify.
OH MY! Lorene sent me THIS LINK.
It's a great excerpt from the article Margaret Mitchell wrote about this event (celebrating Virginia Elizabeth Veal's 102nd birthday). What a treasure!!!