Lady Cat Lady

(Wait, I’m a 68 model with no seatbelts, so hold on to whatever you can…)

This trip was an adventure, fully equipped with all the highs and lows you have all come to expect from me. It all started so wonderfully.

I’ll spare you the minutiae of the finer details here, just know my friend and I got our rental car and hotel rooms without a problem. I called my niece, let her know I was in and we made plans to meet for lunch Friday. It was a three hour time difference for both of us, and I was asleep by 8pm local time. LOL.

We met my niece at the restaurant. She and I spoke, at length, about everything that has been happening in mine and her lives recently. Then, we all headed to her house to meet her husband and daughter. It seems my niece is taking care of her ex step sister’s children. So, we met them, too. And, her husband’s entire family was there.

So many people y’all. So many people I didn’t know at all.

Good people, though. I’m so proud of the woman my niece has become and the life she’s made for herself. Her husband and his family have embraced her and her ex step sister’s children as part of their family. And, welcomed me just the same, hugs and all.

We talked, took pics, and played with the kids until it was time for our movie. My friend and I made plans earlier to go see Fantastic Four. We made our plans to meet in Globe, AZ at the church Saturday morning to help get everything set up, then said our goodbyes.

The movie was enjoyable. When it was over, I realized that the weather was a lot cooler than I had packed for, so my friend and I went on a pantyhose hunt so I wouldn’t be so cold. I packed mostly dresses. It took several stores, but we finally found some. Then, went back to the hotel for another early night bedtime for the ol’ Debster.

Saturday morning; everything changed in an instant.

I received a panic phone call from the florist, saying the entire town of Globe was condemned.

Oh yes, people. Weather hit Globe Friday night, and HARD.

TLDR: In an “unprecedented” amount of rain, the entire town of Globe was pretty well submerged. Cars were thrown into buildings by rushing water; five inches of hail fell; people died; and 10,000 gallon tanks of propane had rolled or washed from up the mountain and settled into downtown Globe.

So, yeah, that’s where the funeral was supposed to be.

I called my niece. She called my sister’s boyfriend because it was his father’s church where the service was supposed to be. We decided to move the entire service to the park in the next town over. We got into our car, drove up the mountain to Miami, AZ and found the park. Then,we headed to Walmart to grab a bunch of stuff for the potluck; and I called the florist to tell her we moved it to the park.

When we returned to the park, my niece, her husband and his family were there. We were standing around waiting for other people to arrive when the police came to tell us they were closing the street where the park was due to all the rainfall. The roads were pretty bad, to be fair. Covered in dirt and sand. Most of the sideroads were unpassable.

They told us about a different park, so we thought we would try there. When we saw it, we knew it wouldn’t work. Meanwhile, we had all been discussing reaching out to other churches. There was a Catholic Church right down the street from the park, in a part of the street that was not going to be blocked off while they cleaned up.

There was a funeral already happening in that church. So, when that funeral ended, my nephew-in-law’s mother and I walked our happy asses up there. I spoke with the Priest and Deacon. They were aware of the situation in Globe; my sister was baptized and had her first Communion in the Catholic Church; and I did some downright begging.

They were gracious enough to agree. We just had to wait for all the people who were stuck in Globe to show up. See, there is only one real way out of Globe, Hwy 60. That was blocked by a car wrapped around a tree. No one in Globe could get to Miami which is about ten miles away.

Once traffic started moving, people started arriving. I met all the people my sister spent the last six years of her life with, and then some. We got the services going, and the only hitch happened when it turned out the VERY un Christian like preacher father of my sister’s boyfriend refused to come to the services and give the eulogy he had planned.

The church where the services were supposed to be called the florist and told them we cancelled the service. They knew full well we just moved it. The florist called me. Boy did she step up to the plate. Anna’s Petals in Globe. I can’t recommend these people enough, seriously. They were awesome!

This church even allowed us to use their hall afterwards for the potluck. That’s how you Christian, if you’re going to do it. Not like Mr. Petty above. I can’t believe the amount of grace and kindness they showed all of us during this incredibly difficult time. It was truly touching.

I did a reading and gave one of the eulogies. Totally off the cuff, I was unprepared, but I did it.

I spent some time getting to know my sister’s boyfriend and his family. A lot of healing happened for me in those conversations. They’re private, so I won’t share, just know I felt better after talking with them. My niece’s grandmother and aunt from her father’s side also came. It was good to see them both after all these years.

People told me I looked like Barbie, they also told me I looked like a mermaid. Hardly anyone who knew me previous to losing weight could even believe it was me. Including my friend who has seen pics, this is the first time, in person, post-weight loss.

That said, my sister’s boyfriend and family never stopped commenting on how much I looked like my sister. And, given the pics, I see it. When I was chubby, our faces couldn’t have looked more different. But, now? Uh yeah, you could tell we were siblings.

Rain was moving into Miami, so we got out of there because none of us wanted to be stuck on the mountain.

I am convinced my sister made this all happen so her final farewell could be even more dramatic. (kidding)

PS I didn’t need the pantyhose. It was hot

After the services were over, we planned to take my niece and husband out to dinner at a Brazilian BBQ place. So, they went home, we went to the hotel, we all changed clothes, and my friend and I headed to her house.

We spent time with the kids and his family again, then went out to dinner where they bullied me into trying food I didn’t want to try. All three of them. They ganged up on me. Can you believe it?

By the way, I will NEVER be bullied into trying Chicken Hearts or Lamb again. I tried them, they’re gross. It ain’t happening again.

When dinner was over, we said our final goodbyes and went back to the hotel.

In the morning, we got to the airport on time. My first leg of my trip went really well.

THEN

I boarded the plane in Miami, FL to get to Orlando. We started going down the runway….and boom. Something happened to the engine. By the time we got off the plane, it was 1230am. I met and talked with many wonderfully kind people, stuck in the same position as me.

The airlines gave us all a comped room, and I got checked in by 130am. I was still wired for sound and struggled to fall asleep.

That 7am wake up call came too early. But, off to the airport I went. Then, you won’t believe it, but my flight back in the morning was delayed due to mechanical issues.

SERIOUSLY?

I’m home, finally. But, boy oh boy am I exhausted.

One of my IRL friends thinks I angered ancient gods or something.

Life brings challenges, it also brings love. I felt so much love, kindness and grace throughout this whole adventure from strangers and people I knew. That’s the gift the storm gave me. Reminders of the beauty and grace of humanity.

So, how was your weekend?