It was July, 2011, and time for my annual visit with Andrew. This time I was going to go On Monday July 25th and come home again on Monday, August 1st. Rob had been staying with me pretty much full time, as the commute from St. Catharines was just too costly, so we had talked about it. He made arrangements with is friend Joe. Joe would rent a car over the weekend and they would take me to Dunnville, and then he’d rent again the following weekend to come and take me home again. Great! That should foil Murphy! I thought.
All went well for the trip there, and we arrived on time, with no problem. Rob and Joe stopped long enough to say hi to Andrew, then they went off to find a MacDonald’s for a drink and a break before driving back to Toronto. I got unpacked, and Andrew and I talked and talked. We had dinner together then went back to his room where I sat and watched him play games. And we talked some more.
Since my birthday was on the 5th of August, I had taken a gift I had received in the mail, so he could participate in the day by seeing me open it. Much to my surprise, almost before I had settled down after Rob and Joe left, he was picking up a gift bag with his toes, and giving it to me. He had been able to buy me a gift, too. He is so happy now that he controls his own finances, and was very proud that he was able, at last, to give me a gift. I opened it and found three very lovely wall plaques. I still have to find a place to hang them.
He needed to go to the bank again, so we took the wheelchair and headed out. Only this time, I only had to give him a boost going up those little hills. He walked the chair all the way, while I walked beside him, and, of course, we talked. When we were finished with the bank, I was hot and tired, so we went to a little restaurant a few doors away and had iced tea, and a rest. Then we headed back, no worse for wear.
We spent a lot of time in his room, while he played games and I watched, fascinated by the action, and the realistic graphics. It was a good visit, with only one problem. It was cold! The first night I had to get up and search around. I found a couple of extra blankets, but it still wasn’t enough, so the next day I told one of the girls, and she gave me a quilt. After that, I slept well, all snuggly and warm. But during the day it was a different matter.
Andrew goes to Men’s Prayer Breakfast at his church on Wednesday mornings, so I was on my own until lunch time. The weather was very warm and sunny, so I went outside to sit in the shade and get warm. I found Sid, one of the residents that I had come to know already out there so we sat and chatted. I told him how cold I’d been, and he was quite concerned. “If you would like, when we go in, I’ll lend you a sweater. You can give it to me, or leave it in my room when you go.” He said. I told him I would really appreciate it, and he loaned me a hooded jacket. With that, I was warm and comfortable for the rest of my stay. After I came home, I bought a silly thank you card and sent it to him, to let him know how much I appreciated his kindness.
The rest of the visit went well, we went to church on the Sunday, as we always do, and otherwise spent the time in his room, chatting and laughing. On the Friday, Andrew wanted to go out for dinner – as a sort of birthday celebration. So we found out about Squires restaurant, about a block and a half away, and went there. It was a nice outing, easy to get to, and very good food. They had a working nickelodeon that plays CDs, and it fascinated Andrew. He’s seen them in the virtual world, but never in real life. It was a pleasant break from the dining room at Edgewater, though the food there is good.
When Andrew checked his email after we got back, there was a message from Rob. Joe was not able to rent a car, because August 1st was a holiday, and only the most expensive rentals were left. He gave me two choices. Stay over another night, and Joe would rent a car and pick me up, without Rob, who would be working. Or, if John and Marilyn could come to the rescue again, have them drive me to the Burlington, Go station. Rob would come by Go bus from St. Catharines, and we could go on together from there.
John and Marilyn were willing, as Marilyn’s sister was in hospital in Burlington, so she could visit her while John took me on to the station. They decided to take Andrew along, so he would have that much more time with me, and see me off. But Murphy wasn’t finished. Rob was to arrive on the 4:45 bus. It arrived, five minutes late and packed. Everyone got off, and there was no Rob! We wondered what was going to happen, and John said maybe there would be another bus for those passengers who hadn’t been able to come on that one. However, they had to leave, as Marilyn was waiting for them. So we said goodbye, and they went off, and I continued to wait, and stew. I had bought my ticket, so if I had to, I could take the 6:10 train and get home on my own. It would be a bit of a chore, getting the suitcase on and off, but if I had to, I could do it. And I have noticed that there are a lot of nice people around who are willing to help an older woman.
I sat and chatted a bit with another woman who was waiting for the train. Then a bus came in with ‘out of service’ on the front. But as it pulled in, I saw Rob through a window. He was here at last, and we still had time for the train. He came rushing in and said ‘that bus is going to Toronto, we can take it. Come on.’ He grabbed the suitcase, we went out, and soon we were on our way. There was no more trouble after that. We were more than half way home by the time the train was leaving Burlington, and it was a smooth, comfortable ride.
Once we were in Union Station, I suggested getting something to eat there, so we wouldn’t have to bother when we got home. We did that, and I decided to take a cab home, as I was getting pretty tired. So, although Murphy managed to mess things up a bit, all in all the trip was a success. And I had a great birthday.
On the Sunday after my birthday, Beth and Dave took me to an Irish pub for Brunch. When I saw the name of the pub, I laughed till my sides ached and my eyes teared. It was Murphy’s Law! It’s a very nice, place with good service and good food. A great way to end another happy visit.
