I’m beginning to doubt my wisdom in accepting an East Coast speaking engagement three days before our son and almost daughter-in-law’s wedding. I wouldn’t have considered it if the venue and topic had been less important. But how could I say no to sharing the truth about early medical trauma with doctors and other medical professionals? I couldn’t say no, which means this week is a busy one . And, oh boy, getting ready for two trips in one is mind boggling.
Things were pretty calm – speech ready, clothes picked out, wedding presents bought, books shipped – until last week when our future daughter-in-law emailed. “Could you bring two coolers,” she asked, “and some board games to put on the tables at the reception so guests have something to do after the ceremony while the photographer takes pictures?”
“Sure,” I said. When the games were cleverly packed in the cooler, I remembered the Christmas lights we bought for the daughter’s wedding later this summer and packed them, too, just in case. Hiram put the coolers in the trunk, and I dusted off my hands. “All packed, except for my suitcase and rolling briefcase.”
Then I remembered the wedding presents – ours and Mom’s – so I wrapped them and put them on the table, so as not to forget them. Next, I thought of the packages that came for Anne this week, the ones she wanted me to give her after the wedding. They went on the table, too. I dusted my hands. “All ready, except for the suitcases and the briefcase.”
On Easter Sunday afternoon, the son called. “Could you bring props for the photo booth?” he asked. “We need things for the guests to wear when their pictures are taken. Just get stuff from our old costume boxes,” he suggested. “Be sure to put in the wrap-around-the-neck gorilla hands.”
By the time I raided the kids’ costume box, my stash of disguises, and the junk drawer in our nightstand, two boxes were filled with hats, clown, pig and elephant noses, scarves, shawls, kazoos, doo-rags, aprons, parasols, old glasses, and who knows what else. I put the boxes on the table beside the other stuff. Monday afternoon, just before the rain started, Hiram and I carried everything to the car. When it was stowed in the car, I dusted my hands. “All packed,” I said, “except for my suitcase and the rolling briefcase.”
Problem is, there’s not much room left for either one. So I guess I’ll be traveling light. Think anyone will notice I’m wearing my swimsuit to the conference and the wedding?
