Icy roads turned a 3 hour drive into 15, but Mom made it home!

The last day (and this week for that matter) were absolutely surreal. The good news was that Mom was discharged around 6 pm on Wednesday. Bad news, it was raining and the roads were getting icy. Highway I-70 was the worst any of us had ever seen it on what should have been only the usual 3 hour drive from St. Louis to our home in Sedalia. And that's saying something, for those that don't know, this is the same highway that Mom made two roundtrips on every weekend when we 3 boys were in high school at St. Louis - she drove 12 hours most weekends for the 10 years that at least one of us was attending. Ask Mom about those trips, and she'd never comment on the hours of driving, but just how happy she was to see us and talk to us about our week at school and life in general. Those are some of my favorite trips and talks too, thanks again Mom.

Back to our story. Well, instead of that usual 3 hour trip to get home, it took us 5 hours just to drive maybe 5o miles from St. Louis, the majority of that at a standstill. We ended up reserving a hotel in Warrenton and attempted back roads to get there, only to be stopped by highway patrol who had apparently closed both the Interstate and the state highways. From where we had been sitting on the interstate, there was a literal 20 mile parking lot of cars ahead of us. Final result, it was midnight, and Mom, Dad, and me crammed into our Toyota Highlander, sleeping in the parking lot of the Mr. Fuel gas station (or Chez Fuel as Mom referred to it), waiting for daylight. We made 2 failed attempts during the night to see if traffic was moving, and finally, 6 AM (now 12 hours since leaving the hospital), we awoke and got onto the highway that was moving along fairly nicely at 50 mph or so. We’ll take it! – arrived in Sedalia by 9 AM, all things considered, not too bad. Dad, you are amazing, both for being so patient and so vigilant throughout the night, and for all those hours driving in those terrible road and weather conditions. Thanks for getting Mom and me home safe.

Today in Sedalia was really a great day with Mom and Dad. Mom had her coffee, we watched some television (including Modern Family – Dad couldn’t’ stop laughing when Phil gagged on the smell of paint), and we stayed connected to the siblings and many other family and friends. iPads, phones, and computers were up and running most of the day. We had delicious pita and chicken for lunch, followed later by Mom’s favorite Calgaro’s pizza for dinner. All of us got the chance to shower, sneak a nap in if possible, talk to one another in the comfort of our home, and just be together. It was really nice and I am very grateful for today. Tomorrow, we are all looking forward to Abigail coming home. Followed by Mark and Luke in the days shortly thereafter. Everyone travel safe, and please feel free to comment and write on this message board. We are very lucky to have such amazing, supportive friends and family in our lives. Goodnight.