1888 miles.
The first trip started with a routine visit to Roanoke for Christmas. We loaded up the dogs and all of the packages into the car with no idea that this would be the first of 5 trips to VA in less than 30 days. We headed to VA despite the record snow fall of over 18 inches in Botetourt. Mom and dad had arranged for all of us to stay in a hotel since their housing situation was still in limbo and the packing at 51 Lois Lane had already begun. We all made the best of the situation and everyone had a fun and relaxing time together over Christmas. One of my most favorite memories was all of us (sans Beth, Mike, and James) piling into dad’s car and going to see the crazy Christmas house by Star City Roller Skating Rink in Roanoke. Dad and Will sat up front, and then Chris, I, and mom rode in the back. That would have been fine, but Lori was going to sit on Chris’ lap, until we realized there was no room for her torso, so we had her lay down and ride splayed out across all three of our laps. It must have appeared pretty amusing to any onlookers. Will grabbed dad’s clip on sunglasses and pressed them to his head so that he looked like he stepped out of Miami Vice. When we got to the Christmas house we all convinced Chris that the tradition was that you (as a first time guest to the house) would hop out of the car and sing a Christmas carol. He loudly began to sing “Jingle Bells” when he could not get over our laughter and we told him we were just kidding.
We all had our fill of Rock Band, Band Hero, and other Wii games. Everyone sang, attempted to play guitar and drums, and rocked the nights out. Mom decided that her favorite song “American Pie” was actually a pretty long song when you had to sing or play the drums for the entire duration of the song. We all admired dad’s drumming skills, and likened him to Billy Bob from Show Biz Pizza. One night we all went downstairs and played a round of pool. We tag teamed, and no one team was better than the other.
Beth, Mike, and James came on Christmas day (despite more winter weather) and announced the excitement that Beth and Mike were now engaged! She showed us her gorgeous ring and James proclaimed that they wanted to get married in Los Angeles! Beth quickly corrected him by saying it was actually Las Vegas. (Totally reminded me of the time I ran as fast as I could through our back yard, across Willie Wines’ lawn, and over to Nancy’s to let her know that mom and dad were going to “King Kong”! She was like – Honey, I think you mean Hong Kong?! She could not convince me.) We all had a champagne toast to celebrate the good news. While he plowed through a pile of gifties, James latched on to the watch we selected and proclaimed “NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKIN’ ABOUT!”, when he opened the box. Good choice.
Later that day we went to Grandpa Taylor’s church to celebrate Christmas and spend time with all of the Taylor side family. We had a book and beverage gift exchange after our pot-luck meal. We all cracked up laughing when Pat received a work out magazine and protein shake (courtesy of Stephanie). She could not get anyone to swap it out. However, it did afford us an amazing photo of Uncle Tommy. None of us knew that was the last time we’d see him alive.
That same weekend we celebrated with Carmen and Neil for their baby shower in honor of baby Ellie Ann. With the baby due in a month, they were excited to get all of the necessaries so they would have the nursery ready to roll. They did not know that little Ellie had plans to come much, much sooner.
After Christmas we came back home and worked for a few days and swapped out our luggage. The second trip took us to Roanoke for New Years Eve. We headed to the Hotel Roanoke for the annual Gala. The highlight of this year’s gala was the King’s version of “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas. They had everyone dancing on the dance floor to blow out 2009 and ring in the New Year. We experienced some excitement when we thought we were trapped in the elevator after midnight. However, after 10 seconds, the doors opened and we headed to the suite to have our obligatory NYE sausage biscuits. Ask yourself, “Where is the mustard?” (Way too long of a story to have here.) We had a great party and loved the long weekend, so we could really spend some time with Mom and Dad. They gave us a very generous gift for our baby adoption fund. After the party was over and all of the festivities had ended we headed back to WF, thinking we’d see them again for James’ birthday.
Once we were back into the grind, and started getting things under control Mom called from Atlanta to inform us that she had bad news. Whenever someone calls you like this, a million things run through your head, but what she was about to say was not anything I could have imagined. She called to say that Uncle Tommy had passed away. We cried together and Will (who was sitting beside me, both of us still working in the office) came to offer hugs and love. Pat and Tommy always reminded me a lot of Will and myself. Pat was the person who always kept me on the path to pursuing art, and Tommy with his love of the dogs reminded me a lot of Will with his quiet patience and understanding. They never had children of their own, but always accepted us as theirs, and I have always had a connection with Pat. When mom told me the news, I just could not get the link between the two of them (Pat and Tommy) and Will and I out of my head. They were always together with each other, so much like we are. I just could not imagine how your husband could leave for work in the morning, and just never come home. We packed our bags and got ready for the third trip to VA.
We booked plane tickets for Lori and Mom to meet up at RDU since Mom was in Atlanta. We ended up getting both of their flights within minutes of each other. We showed up at the airport with the doggies loaded and ready to go, and made our way back to VA. While in VA we met up with all of the family and spent time reminiscing about our fond memories of Uncle Tommy. We hope God will give Pat the strength and courage to carry on with everything she has on her plate, and maintaining all of the PBGV’s they have. Love and prayers are with Pat. Lori stayed in Roanoke in case mom and dad were able to close on their new home, and headed back to NC. While in the car (on route 220), we got the call from Lori that baby Ellie had been born!
Will and I worked through Thursday and got the call that mom and dad finally did get to close on their new house. We made plans to head back to VA the next night, for our fourth visit. Since they had been waiting for August for this moment, we really wanted to be there for their first weekend in the new house. Beth and James came, and Lori was still around, so we all had a giant slumber party in the new place. Mom and dad are finally getting the dream house they’ve always deserved! While in town we went to Aunt Jesse’s birthday and spent more time with family who all needed a reason to smile these days. It was great to spend time with Brent, Maris, Brandon, and Melissa, and all the rest of the gang. Mom made jokes that Will and I would be back for James’ birthday on Valentine’s weekend, but I broke the news that we would not be back before March.
Once we got back, I unpacked and repacked my bags for the final time. For my fifth and final trip to VA, I was heading to NOVA alone. I needed to go up for work to train a client, and then to celebrate a new year for 2010 at our annual company party for work. I arrived at Melanie’s house at about midnight on Wednesday night and we chatted and caught up before calling it a night. Thursday morning I worked to try and get Kathy and Lisa any email I had on my machine before I headed with Lynne to Bethesda. After the client’s training we split up and Jen and I went to the Sea Pearl for our annual party. Since we were early, we chatted and had a cocktail and some apps while we waited for everyone else to arrive. The party went off without a hitch, and we all had a great time. Friday afternoon I packed up early and headed back to NC to try and avoid some inclement weather that was moving into the NOVA area. I got back home around 5pm and promptly crashed into the bed.
Thirty days of non-stop running and driving back and forth to VA had taken its toll and I needed a weekend to get caught up. We finally got our Christmas decorations down, worked on some laundry, caught up with our friends at church, and went to the grocery store. I think we’re finally looking forward to the remainder of what 2010 might have to offer.
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