This is the night arrived from my long trip to Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada for my grandmother Scoville's funeral. It was a beautiful experience and I wouldn't trade that for the world. I know that I hadn't been able to go visit my grandmother since the time I went right when I returned from my mission for my cousin Gary's wedding. Let me recount for a you a little about the trip to Canada.
Well it was a really last minute decision that I made to come. First of all I had chosen not to go to the funeral. I was in the middle of my midterm papers and exams; then I spoke with a professor, Dr. Suzanne Hanna, with whom I felt impressed to ask what the school would think if I were to leave and go to the funeral. She said "we're a marriage and family therapy program, if we didn't allow for our students to attend important family functions such as a funeral then we wouldn't be doing our job. She said you better go." So I took her advice and I came home the day before I was to fly up to Calgary for the funeral. I asked Marlene what she would think if I left her alone on Halloween and went to Canada for the funeral because she had was 7 months pregnant with Lily and Oscar was sick and so was she.
I got online and bought a ticket with the understanding that I would get 50% reduction from the airline because it was for a funeral the only stipulation was on the return flight to bring a certificate from the funeral director stating that my grandmother had died. The next hurdle was to get to the airport and get packed to go since I needed to fly out the next day. My flight left at 6:30 am from LAX. Marlene didn't feel well enough do drive me to the airport so she called around and booked a shuttle to pick me up in about 3 hours at 2:30 am so that I would make it there on time.So I got packed, slept for about 2 hours and then left on the shuttle. Another passanger was in the shuttle and he was chatting away with the driver. They wanted me to talk, I did to be polite but then I fell asleep hoping that the drive would take a long time because I didn't think that it would be too comfortable in the airport. Well the drive was a quick and the driver was going about 85 mph the whole way so it was only about 3:20 when we arrived at the airport. We got dropped off and then I found out that the check in desks were closed so I then laid down on a bench with my bags and tried to sleep. the only problem was that the same guy that talked with the driver on the shuttle now wanted to talk to me about what he was doing and where he was going. I didn't really want to, I wanted to sleep, but I also wanted to stay up because of the vagrants and random people that were walking by so it was kind of a good thing for me so that I felt secure and safe while I was awake.
Then the check-in counters opened up at 5:30 am, I checked in my bag and then went to the terminal where I was to fly to Seattle and then on to Calgary. I tried to sleep but the cleaners were loud and noisy and the seat was really uncomfortable. Well I got on the plan and snoozed it was nice. I also then got off in Seattle. Waited until the next plane came. I then boarded the plane and went to Calgary with the intention of meeting up with JP and Mary Ann so that we could get a ride with Randy Lewis to Medicine Hat. Well I never saw JP and Mary Ann -- I later found out that the had problems on their trip and (missed their layover flight) I was to find Randy. I went back to the area where international travelers arrive to the airport and as I waited looking for JP, I looked over and to my right was Randy. We said hello and talked for a bit and he informed me the big news that JP and Mary Ann would not be arriving at that time but that he and I would be heading to Medicine Hat and they would come later on in a rental car.
We then went to Calgary. It was nice drive until we made it to some city that really stunk up to high heaven of dead meat from a slaughtering house. No the ride was fun. I got to know Randy a lot more. We then went to the hotel and then went over to the viewing at the funeral home. We then went to Earl and Celanie's house. They were gracious enough to have food ready for Randy and me. I was here caughting up with Sarah and enjoying myself at the time. I really enjoyed the visit to Canada. The funeral was nice. The graveside service was beautiful. I have fond memories of the drive and it was a most meaningful experience since I didn't get to see my grandmother Michie's funeral when I was on my mission in Brazil Londrina. I am really glad I went. I found the countryside to be beautiful. I thought grandma looked beautiful and it was so nice to remember some of the wonderful stories of family reunions and just stories. This is one reason why I have loved using the flickr site and seeing old pictures. thats all for now folks.
Phil
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