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Published: August 26th 2007
There are some things in life that a person can prepare for and feel comfortable that they had done everything possible to make things “just right”. Physically preparing and packing are easy compared to the mental preparation and emotional roller coaster that we are experiencing this week. This week the focus was all about the details. Buying insurance, contacting hotels, confirming travel arrangements and trying to pack 10 months worth of books, clothes, and personal effects into two large, two medium, two carry-on and three back-packs is not nearly as challenging as thinking about what we are leaving behind. If I was staying here in Canada this year I would have been getting ready to head off to our annual administrator’s retreat and preparing for the upcoming school-based planning meetings. Of course it wasn’t difficult to let those duties fall by the wayside. The responsibilities one feels for family, friends, staff, and students are more difficult to ignore. Especially when a person receives the kind and heartfelt messages that I have this week. Some of my former students have sent me messages that touched my heart and put tears in my eyes. It has been difficult to sleep all week. Sometimes
it is simple, the excitement is rather overwhelming, but it is usually the things that are already arranged that pop into one’s head that make it difficult to sleep. Will we be able to find the correct train to get from the Amtrack train to the Metro in Chicago with all of our baggage? Will our baggage be too heavy? Is our hotel in Chicago going to work out?
Thankfully we had some distractions this week. On Saturday night before Nataghia, Owen, and Benjamin returned from Garrick Mom, Diane, I went out to Folk Fest. We went to the Latino Pavilion for supper. We bought our travel insurance on Monday morning...$1,200.00 for two million dollars coverage for hospital and medical emergency with $50,000 accidental death and dismemberment coverage. It seems like a lot of money because it is!!!! However, at around $3 per day it is worth the peace of mind. Although taking the hit on the bank balance is always tough to take especially when a person goes out and buys a years supply of sunscreen, bug spray, rechargeable batteries, and all the other things that seem to cost more than they should. There was something to spend
money on this week that was more than worthwhile. We celebrated Diane’s birthday on Saturday and it was a pleasure to go pick up some Harden and Huyse chocolates and a certificate for Paramount Body Spa to give to her. It was also very fortunate to get to see Pirates of the Caribbean III with Owen and Diane on Saturday afternoon. We had a great party at her house with a surf and turf meal of Walleye/Pickerel and steak. They were both great distractions and the wait is finally over. I’m sure there will be some tears later this morning and not because the boys won’t be watching YTV for a while. The stress of waiting is succumbing to excitement and anticipation of wonderment and adventures. Owen just woke up and said good morning and said, “I can’t believe I’m going to ride a train for the first time today.” I’m sure it will be the first of many sentences that start with those words over the next year. We are on our way to Williston!!!!
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Shelley M
non-member comment
Bon Voyage
I wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you. I can't believe the time has come for you to leave already. Have fun! Enjoy the ride! Shelley