Becca Jane St Clair

Personal Blog

Homeward Bound

My aunt passed away during the night. This morning, Tim and I had a short discussion about if I should go to Pennsylvania or not, and my response was “it’s Aunt Barb”, and Tim said “there’s your answer”, so flights have been booked.

I’m going solo because Tim just can’t ask for the time off this week as one of the other MOMs is currently on holiday and well, one ticket was enough!

I’m heading out on Friday and will arrive in Philly around 3PM and take the train to Lancaster so my mom doesn’t have to worry about picking me up at the airport. I’ll leave on Christmas Eve. Because it’s an overnight flight, I will arrive back in the UK on Christmas Morning. It was the only way to book things and still be able to afford anything reasonable that didn’t involve a lot of crazy transfers and layovers (seriously, one flight I looked at was Birmingham to Dublin, an 11-hour layover in Dublin, then flying to Miami, five hours in Miami, and then onto BWI). To make things easier on me, I’m not checking any bags. I’ve got toiletry type items still at Mom’s and if I need anything, she has a CVS and a Rite Aid around the corner from her house (within walking distance, even). I’m just going to toss a few changes of clothing into a carry-on. Mom has a washing machine, so I can always wash things.

This isn’t the way I had hoped to return to the US for a visit, but I am glad that I am able to. This truly IS the hardest part about being an ex-pat.

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5 comments

5 Comments so far

  1. miss m December 14th, 2011 17:10

    Oh Becca, I’m sorry for your loss. What a terribly sad way to spend the holidays. I’m glad you were able to get a flight though to be with your family a little. I know Florida is a long way from PA but please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

    *hugs hugs* I’m thinking about you all the time right now and keeping you and your family in my thoughts. Please pass my condolences to your Mother and cousin as well.

  2. Rebecca December 14th, 2011 17:25

    *hugs* Thanks M. It’s tough — I keep thinking “oh, I need to do this before Christmas” and then it hits me that TOMORROW is my last day at home before Christmas….so I think Tim and I are going to have our Christmas on New Year’s instead. We have dinner at his parent’s on the 26th, so my turkey will just stay in the freezer because I’m not prepared to explain to Tim how to defrost the turkey!!

  3. miss m December 14th, 2011 17:37

    Yeah it’s definitely hard when things change so suddenly like that! At least you can get home to see your family, even if it’s not ideal timing or circumstance. It’s good that you can be with them right now.

    And, that means the gift I bought for you (which should be to me in a few days then I’ll send it out) won’t be quite so late since you’ll be celebrating Christmas a little later this year. *chuckles*

  4. Rebecca December 14th, 2011 17:54

    LOL! If I have room, I will stick your present in my bag and mail it from the US. It’s small, so it ought to fit. It won’t have loads of UK goodies like I usually toss in, but I can ship you a package of goodies later 🙂

  5. DaddyBear December 14th, 2011 18:09

    I’m sorry to hear this. We’ll be keeping y’all in our prayers. Have a safe trip.

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