Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The One With the 6:00 a.m. Wakeup Call

Casey went to Big Bear Friday night. Big Bear got six new feet of snow that day. Chains required, roads closed. Probably not the best idea, but he and his friends were determined. I went to bed that night thinking of him, and also of Ethan, flying in from Virginia to his new station at MCRD San Diego. Suddenly my eyes flew open. The phone was ringing. It was dark. That is never good news, right? Check the clock: 6:00 a.m. I jumped out of bed and flew down the stairs to just miss the last ring of the phone. My mind, which had been occupied by weird dreams only seconds before, began to quickly generate scenarios, none of them good.

Caller ID: Ethan. “Mom, I’m in the barracks in San Diego.” Mmm, okay...? I just found out I don’t have to check in until Sunday night. Can you and Dad come and get me? Mmm, okay.

I climbed back under my down blanket and thought, just a couple more hours of sleep, and then we can go get Ethan. Two minutes later... let’s just go now. We drove down the coast for an hour and twenty minutes. After four straight days of drowning in rain, the skies were bluer than normal, and the hills greener. Everything freshly washed and glistening. Lance Corporal in the back seat. All well with the world.

Apparently Casey had texted Dillon at 2:00 that morning to let him know they finally made it up the hill in the snow Dillon didn’t think it was important enough to tell me that until Sunday on the way home from church. Fortunately, I am not a worrier.

4 comments:

Joy For Your Journey said...

Aren't kids fun?! I thought when they grew up I could stop worrying about them. Now it is only worse. I am glad all is well with your boys.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Ya, don't ya wish you could quit worrying?
I want that turn off button.

Cindy said...

Hate those calls in the dark!

I'm glad this one generated time with Ethan!!

CB said...

How did I miss these posts??

I would have totally been worrying I am such a worrier! Does it ever end?? I don't know.
Glad you got to go pick up your boy for a few days and that he will be closer to home - Yayy!