Today we had to take Andy to the airport to head back to Virginia. We were so excited to go to this airport 2 weeks ago to pick him up, but sending him off is a whole other story. Bob, Heather and I were all able to go. We arrived with plenty of time to spare and when we checked the schedule the flight was on time. We ate a little lunch there and then discovered the flight was delayed for 30 minutes. After some more waiting, we said our good bye's and Andy headed off to the secure area. As we passed the schedule board, Heather said "oh no". When we checked it we found that his flight was cancelled. At this point we weren't sure what to do. We couldn't get to Andy and knew that he would have to be leaving soon, one way or another. We headed for our van and as we were driving out of the parking lot he called Bob's cell phone. They were going to bus the passengers to Detroit, which meant he would be arriving there at about the time he was initially supposed to get to Norfolk. He also had to retrieve his luggage again.He called me around 3 this afternoon to say he had made it to Detroit. When he got there he had a problem with his boots setting off the alarm system and had to go through several times and then be searched. They did find a direct flight for him and he will be leaving there a little after 5 and arriving at Norfolk around 7. He was supposed to be at the base for a formation at 7 but was going to call his Sergeant to tell him what was going on. I'm sure he's not the only one that has had flight problems!
So far we haven't heard that he has arrived, but he didn't call to say there were any problems either. Hopefully the phone will ring soon. It was great to have him here for almost 2 weeks and we look forward to seeing him again in May.
~~~
NEWS FLASH: it is now 9:20 and we just had a call from Andy. He is on a shuttle to the base. The flight went well and he said he's ready to find his bunk bed!
25 comments:
Mari, I'm so glad you had two weeks with Andy. I'm sure it must have been really hard to say goodbye. I've never like goodbyes...just too many of them. :-)
Praying you hear from him soon. Nothing like hearing from our children knowing they've arrived safely.
Blessings...
Mari...I hate it that he had to leave, but I am also excited to see that you guys were able to spend so much quality time together. Children truly are a gift from the Lord, aren't they? As a mom of two boys I know that there may be a day when one or both of mine might go off and report back to duty. ACK!!! My heart is breaking just thinking about it...but he is the Lord's child first and God will always look after him.
Praying for you and your family...
Melissa
Hope to hear from him soon. Glad he made the first step to Detroit after that problem. It sure was good to see him again and be able to spend Christmas with him!
It is 9:30 here so I am hoping you have heard that he made it in safely to his base by now.
The snow must have canceled a lot of flights today and caused travel difficulties for a lot of people. I hope that the Army understands.
I'm so happy y'all had a good visit - I know it couldn't have been nearly long enough for any of you, but it was special, you made sure it was. Glad he's back safely and hopefully resting comfortably. You get a good night's sleep, too, Mari. I'll be thinking of you.
Hello, Mari. I am a good friend of Cherdecor. She told me that you have a son stationed in Norfolk. Our youngest son and his wife are both in the Navy and are stationed in Norfolk also. They were not able to be home for Christmas, but were here a few days over New Years. It's about a 6 hour drive from where we live here in PA. I'm so glad your son is safely back to his bunk! Blessings!
I'm so glad that he was able to come home for a few weeks. It was good to be able to spend some time with him last week.
How annoying about his flight! And then a bus?!?! I didn't know they did that. But I sure am glad that he made it to the base, and like you said, I'm sure he wasn't the only one who had flight troubles.
Just think, only a few more months and he gets to come home again! :)
Mari, I'm so glad you got to have Andy home for Christmas. Hopefully the time will fly by till you can be together again.
I'm :) for the time you had with him, but now :( that he had to leave.
Praying for all of you!
Blessings,
~melody~
Mari, it was great seeing Andy, He looks so old and strong in that uniform! I'm so glad you guys had the great Christmas you all had! What a great family!
I'm glad to hear he got back safely even if it took a little longer than it should have. I'm so glad that you got to spend the last couple of weeks with him over the holidays! Praying for him & his unit daily!
When I opened your blog this morning and saw Andy putting his boots on my heart dropped for you.
I know you enjoyed him being home. But I appreciate the sacrifice that Andy (and you) is making to keep me and my family safe and protect our freedom. I will keep him in my prayers
It was so nice to have him here, but it was hard to say goodbye. And also hard because I don't want him to feel bad for us crying, so I try my hardest.
He called me a little after 9:00 too to let me know he was on the shuttle back to base. I'm glad he's there safe, even after all those problems. Now we'll just countdown until May!
Mari,
Will be praying comfort for you today. I am sure your heart must be heavy.
Glad to know that Andy is making it back safely----even if he had to take the scenic route.
What a relief that he got there finally! I bet he was tired by the time he got there!
Glad he FINALLY made it ! I'll bet he slept well ! Long days full of travel delays always make me tired !!
Hugs to you, Mari. And to your family. And special prayers of comfort and protection. I can imagine how hard it is to let your boy go again.
BUT...how wonderful that you were able to spend some good time with him over the holidays! How wonderful that he has such a God loving, sweet mother to come home to.
Happy New Year, Mari!
Mari,
This time home has just flown by, I am sure. What a hard day you must have had yesterday. My friend, I pray that your heart is full from your visit and that God will give you His peace. I can't imagine my boys leaving, I also can't imagine how proud I would be of them if they went.
'Your children rise up and call you blessed.'
Happy New Year...Love, Joanne
wow! What a run around. Glad to hear he made it safe! I bet he was exhausted.
It was so good to see him again!
Oh Mari, my heart dropped also when I seen the picture, I knew it was time. I have no words just prayers and
((((hugs))))
Glad you all had such a wonderful visit! Good to hear he made the trip well and is safe at his destination. I can only imagine how hard it was to say good-bye. I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
I just prayed for Andy. I am glad, too, that you had this time with him.
Traveling should be easier don't you think? I am glad he got there safe.
I have a good friend who has 3 sons (and 3 daughters, too!). In the last year, the oldest (newly married) announced they are expecting a baby (first grandchild to my friend), the next came HOME from Afghanistan, and the other signed up. Thankfully, she had two weeks with everyone home before the youngest flew back out. As I sat in church today with my 5 year old Jack in the crook of my arm, I looked at her and thought about how fast the years will fly...
I'm so proud to watch him grow and succeed with every little step, but I will miss this little guy who draws pictures of me in Sunday School and still fits in the crook of my arm.
It's good to hear such happy stories from you, Mari. It gives me encouragement and hope for our futures as mom and son.
Blessings,
Jen
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