When things run aground, I feel irritated and disappointed. I prefer life to flow in the fashion that makes me satisfied. I admit it – I am spoiled, I want my wishes to be fulfilled upon demand.
However, I have learned how to deal with problems by seeking new solutions or navigating my way through the morass of complications. Children, too, must discover methods to ride trials and tribulations to new horizons and fresh possibilities.
This week being spring break for Elko schools I’ve enjoyed having my grandkids Dayne and Brynley here while their parents vacation in Cabo. I remember longing for a day or two away when our kids were younger — a chance to regroup and rest.
Grandparenting is so much easier than fulltime parenting! Exhausting, yes, but in such a special manner. Arriving last Friday, they split time with their cousins who live here and we enjoyed the museum, bowling, and some basketball on the back court. We had hoped to swim, however, a lack of lifeguards cancelled that endeavor, but you see how we recovered by filling in the blank with other undertakings.
Sunday became “art day” and magnificent creations rolled in – chalk, paint, stickers, crayons, markers, a variety of paper colors and types led to designs of every shape and kind.
As snow pummeled the ground and the temperature dropped, we realized although the out-of-doors beckoned, just a few minutes quickly produced rosy cheeks and icy fingers.
Back inside we moved to games: dominoes, Yahtzee, rummy, and scrabble. I regret to say that I have been lax on board games, but the fun that ensued has inspired more gaming coming up, with new diversions forthcoming. As I glanced back at that last sentence, I felt thrilled that our “gaming” proved to be live action as opposed to video technology.
Monday directed the cousins to school so I mapped out a trip south to visit Ichthyosaur State Park, Manhattan, plus the pictographs and hieroglyphics near Austin with a plunge in the hot springs to boot. We thought we might fish along the way and do some hiking and camping, however, further obstacles arose: snow, more snow, and Berlin sunrise temperatures at Berlin hovering at 12*.
That Nevada exploration trip must be postponed. Sadly, I have organized this trip in years past, always having to back off until further notice. The days instead filled with errands, art, and cooking.
The final problem reared its nasty head this morning. Mimi, Blake and Emmy’s grandma as well as Dayne and Bryn’s, and I decided an Amtrak voyage to Reno and back would not only fill a day with activities but would also be a unique retreat.
We weighed staying overnight, but wisely chose to limit our initial adventure to one day. With tickets purchased I spent last evening perusing the estimated arrival of our train. By the wee hours, Zephyr #5 was running 58 minutes late.
This is doable as a 6:39 am wake-up and departure for kids is preferrable to 5:40. Rousted out, dressed, bags in hand, Stacy picked us up and we dashed to the station. When 6:39 transformed to 6:59, I dialed Amtrak, patiently waited for a response only to learn that the train would be 4 hours late. Our new mantra loudly announced: Regroup and Redesign.
I cancelled the reservation as we had anticipated 8 hours in Reno to hit the Discovery and Art Museums plus take in a movie and that had been whittled to 4 hours of rushing. After breakfast, watching 4 kids in a turmoil of discontent we reconsidered.
My call to rebook, though, came along with the fact that today’s train had been cancelled permanently and tomorrow’s as well. I asked the person on staff what happens to those who are already on this cancelled train and she replied that other transportation is provided (what would that look like out of Winnemucca??); hotel rooms offered. For us, new ideas became necessary.
To save our minds and tempers, Stacy and I split the grandkids 2 x 2 to cut out arguments and other “kidly” behaviors with a child exchange instore at midday.
Games, lunch and our fingers crossed for swimming this afternoon, time travels contentedly forward. If the pool is closed, more creative happenings become necessary, but we have found ways to tackle setbacks. Challenges and disappointments have been reversed into rewards as other pursuits have made us stronger, happier, and wiser as a result.
We arrived at the pool, entered, swam for 20 minutes when the whistle blew, “Everyone out!” Someone had puked, facility closed. The reward? We went home and baked cupcakes!
