Mere days before I'm off to the TNNA trade show in Columbus, I found myself heading down to Kansas City unexpectedly. Good thing Tyler had a three-day weekend and we live near an airport with 24-hour car rental, because last-minute plane fares were insane. I suppose many would still chose the convenience of flying over a 9-hour drive both ways, but I would much rather do the crazy road trip.
Last Thursday night, my grandfather was moved into 24-hour hospice because he'd taken a turn for the worse; it seemed the timeline we were looking at would put the funeral smack dab in the middle of the TNNA trade show - isn't that how these things always go? I'm sure my boss, coworkers, and clients would understand it if I chose to attend my grandfather's funeral instead of coming to the trade show, but then I would be letting all of them down and leave them holding a sizable bag (actually, they'd be screwed, because we need all hands on deck to staff the booth AND meet with clients concurrently). And then, the other side of the coin, I would feel like a selfish turd for choosing work over saying goodbye to my grandfather and being there for my family.
Of course, these things are always a guessing game. He could hold on for another week or month. In fact, he has made such improvements in the last 24 hours, he was taken off of 24-hour hospice (and is back to regular hospice), if you can believe that. He's comfortable and his vital signs are surprisingly good today, more importantly he isn't in any pain, and I still have a shred of hope that I can come back from Columbus and drive back down to Kansas City to attend the funeral. Is that insane? I don't know, probably. We're getting ready to drive back to Chicago today. I still have plenty of work to do before getting rental car #2 to drive the five hours to Columbus this Thursday, plus the nagging suspicion I'm forgetting to do something really important to prepare for the show.
However, I am so happy that I was able to drop everything and say goodbye to him in person and give a modicum of comfort to my parents and uncle. I wish it could be more, but it's time to get back home so Tyler can go to work tomorrow. I've got some yarn waiting for me when I get home - on Thursday night, I did what any sensible knitter would have done after receiving bad news: I bought enough luxury yarn to make a Color Affection shawl. I don't forsee much knitting time in the near future, but I think it will be the perfect project for a time like this (sadly, I am putting my attempt at seamless crochet on hold til I can give it my full attention).
There were some great photos in my Grandpa's room that I hadn't ever seen before, so I tried to capture them via instagram - here's one of him with my Grandma when they were young rascals:
Last Thursday night, my grandfather was moved into 24-hour hospice because he'd taken a turn for the worse; it seemed the timeline we were looking at would put the funeral smack dab in the middle of the TNNA trade show - isn't that how these things always go? I'm sure my boss, coworkers, and clients would understand it if I chose to attend my grandfather's funeral instead of coming to the trade show, but then I would be letting all of them down and leave them holding a sizable bag (actually, they'd be screwed, because we need all hands on deck to staff the booth AND meet with clients concurrently). And then, the other side of the coin, I would feel like a selfish turd for choosing work over saying goodbye to my grandfather and being there for my family.
Of course, these things are always a guessing game. He could hold on for another week or month. In fact, he has made such improvements in the last 24 hours, he was taken off of 24-hour hospice (and is back to regular hospice), if you can believe that. He's comfortable and his vital signs are surprisingly good today, more importantly he isn't in any pain, and I still have a shred of hope that I can come back from Columbus and drive back down to Kansas City to attend the funeral. Is that insane? I don't know, probably. We're getting ready to drive back to Chicago today. I still have plenty of work to do before getting rental car #2 to drive the five hours to Columbus this Thursday, plus the nagging suspicion I'm forgetting to do something really important to prepare for the show.
However, I am so happy that I was able to drop everything and say goodbye to him in person and give a modicum of comfort to my parents and uncle. I wish it could be more, but it's time to get back home so Tyler can go to work tomorrow. I've got some yarn waiting for me when I get home - on Thursday night, I did what any sensible knitter would have done after receiving bad news: I bought enough luxury yarn to make a Color Affection shawl. I don't forsee much knitting time in the near future, but I think it will be the perfect project for a time like this (sadly, I am putting my attempt at seamless crochet on hold til I can give it my full attention).
There were some great photos in my Grandpa's room that I hadn't ever seen before, so I tried to capture them via instagram - here's one of him with my Grandma when they were young rascals:
So glad you went. Much love!
ReplyDelete"I'm sure my boss, coworkers, and clients would understand it if I chose to attend my grandfather's funeral instead of coming to the trade show, but then I would be letting all of them down ..... I would feel like a selfish turd for choosing work over saying goodbye to my grandfather and being there for my family."
ReplyDeleteI think we may be related. I can't tell you how much this resonated with me, for so many reasons.
You, and your family (and your work) will be much in my thoughts this week.
XOXO
Thanks so much for your support, Sam & Lorena!
ReplyDelete