I’m in Rochester this evening. A day of travel — Madison to Chicago to Rochester with my nuclear family. The bartender at the Hampton Inn asks why we’re in town and I tell him it’s for a funeral.
My dad’s a diamond member at the Hilton now but my mom helped earn those points — the hotel stays with me in Kansas before the adoption fell through then here in Rochester while my aunt spent a week in the hospital before passing away. Being a diamond member means you get a dedicated parking space in the hotel lot and we joke and say “this is the win we’ve been looking for”.
We are looking for wins. It’s been a bit bleak this year. And it’s true at a certain point you have to laugh. Though I expect tomorrow there will be a lot of tears. It’s supposed to be that way — the only way out is through.
The memorial service for my aunt starts in the morning so tonight we order Dominos and eat it in the lobby with a drink (or two, or three). The hotel room is too good — the kind of good that would be perfect for a longer stay. Kitchenette and desk and a king-sized bed. There’s even a balcony. But we’re in and out, leaving ungodly early on Sunday morning.
Still — this is what’s important. So I sip wine and edit a nonprofit newsletter and find gratitude that I’m with my family.
With Love,
Natalie