I got up this morning feeling pretty refeshed and surprisingly upbeat. For the last few weeks I've been sort of spinning in circles, not able to really finish even simple tasks. But this morning, the sun was shining, and things just seemed more normal. I started in on cleaning bathrooms, laundry, dusting, scrubbing floors. Each new clean room lifted my spirits a little higher and seemed to bring a bit of order back to my world. I felt good enough to blog about a memorable experience I had while en route to Colorado last week, before I forget it.
Before leaving for Colorado, I had stayed up straight, without sleeping, for about 30 hours. I was dealing with my mom's funeral a few days prior, and was overwhelmed with things to do, emotions that were unpredictable, and insomnia. I was looking forward to sleeping for a few hours on the airplane, and was sure my companion, (my nephew, who's mom had also died the week before), would understand if I were to sleep. Turns out, he was not even assigned a seat in my row, and the flight was packed. Plan was, I'd sit down, stow my purse neatly under my seat, turn off my phone, and snooze. Instead, I sat in down in my middle seat, next to a lovely woman who was next to the window. She was in her 50's, and had beautiful shoulder length gray hair that was mixed with both white, and some blonde from her early days. One of those women who looks like she is probably a 'mature' model or something. She smiled and said hello, and we began chatting. Small talk at first. You know, the standard "So are you from here and leaving, or were you visiting here and now are going home" sort of thing. She was on a layover stop in Minneapolis, but her flight to Denver had originated in Iowa. Despite my fatigue, there was something so easy and warm about her, and I instantly wanted to know her better. Have you ever had that happen? An instant connection with someone?
She told me of her travel plans. Every year or so, beginning when they turned 40, a group of 7 girls, who all went thru high school together, would get together and all meet somewhere. They'd leave kids/husbands/parents/jobs all behind and come together in fellowship with one another. Sometimes it was Oregon, another time it was a house they rented on a lake near their old high school stomping grounds, sometimes other places, and now this time it would be in Denver. In high school, all of the girls got together, usually at one particular girls house, and play the board game Tripoli while they giggled and solved the worlds problems. One of the parents dubbed them 'The Tripoli Gang', and they are the same group that still meet today. They lost touch for the most part for the segment of life after high school. Each was caught up in college, marraiges, children, careers. There was one girl who was sort of the center hub, with all the other girls being the spokes of the wheel. Each would learn of the other spokes whereabouts thru contact with the hub, though not many of them actually really spoke to the others. Then, as they neared 40, the hub decided it was time for a Tripoli Gang reunion. They've been meeting ever since. She shared many of the emotions surrounding their visits and some of the shenannigans they got into. We both shared stories about the issues surrounding aging. She agreed with my thoughts that although this process of aging is mildly annoying, it's also fascinating! We shared stories of loss; the loss of those here that we love, and the loss over her not ever having been able to have had children.
Soon the flight was over, and I still had not slept. We talked the whole entire time. My apolgies to those who probably had to endure all the estrogen laced in our conversations, but it was very comforting and healing to me. As we were unbuckling to get up, we both suddenly got a bit awkward at the realization that we would probably never see each other again, and hadn't even learned each others names. I told her I am Robyn, and she shared that her name is Karen. I wish I'd gotten her card or number or something. Earlier in our conversation, I had suggested to her to begin a blog about the adventures of the Tripoli Gang. I'd have been interested in reading about it.
I finally got to sleep about 9 hours later. My husband took the photo above the next day in a state park during a hike we took, after I slept a solid 7 hours! We had combined hiking and a family 50th anniversary party in a state park near Castle Rock, CO. Was fun, but glad to be home.
Later today, the mood changed, as our family now faces another challenge, but I'll save that for another post.
Comments (3)
what a sweet story. i call those people in my life stepping stones. God brings them into our lives for a reason that we may not know of at that moment, but someday we realize why. Have an incredible weekend. Huggz.....Kimi
"Have you ever had that happen? An instant connection with someone? "
--Many times on planes actually. It is always awkward at the end. Too bad you hadn't suggested the blog idea to her. It really would have been interesting reading the process of reunions over the years and all that transpired beforehand.
"the Tipoli Gang"--sounds like a movie or good book, like the Yaya Sisterhood or something!
Lovely story. Lovely picture--even without much sleep, hey? I'm glad to read you got some good things accomplished to lift your spirits--well needed during this time of loss you are going through.
Michael - YES, the Yaya Sisterhood is sort of what I was thinking of as she was talking to me, but I could not for the life of me think of the name of that book/movie (could have been my sleep deprived state, however). Â
I got her thinking hard when I asked her "I wonder what ever became of that dining table that you all would gather around back in high school?". She was going to try to find that out. I really do wish I'd gotten her number, or had spoken more about the blog idea. She's been on my mind daily since my flight.
Congrats once more to you on you and your wife's anniversary! =)