Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Remember when it rained?

Isn't it strange how a smell, taste or song can bring a rush of memories flooding back in your mind? So was the case with me this morning as I sat at a stop light, taking the kids to school. I had brought my coffee with me because I am weak and must have a caffeine infusion so early to stay awake. Waiting for the light to change I take a sip and although it was my normal cup o' joe with cream and sugar, for a split second I tasted a hint of orange cognac.

We boarded Sovereign of the Seas, Mother's Day 2002. Parker, our first son had passed away the previous September and our family was strained. I had quit my job, because I didn't want to get out of bed unless I had to for my girls or husband. I felt our girls had lost faith in us because we weren't able to keep their brother from dying and there for probably not capable of keeping them protected either. So what better to do than to take a big chunk of my 401k and put us all on a plane thousands of feet in the air and then get on a boat the size of a shopping mall for a week.

My husband and I had made this trip a few times before, but always in November when the weather was milder. The girls were excited, but scared. As the plane took off Melody did a chant of "Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!" with her eyes squeezed tight until we were up in the air. Once we arrived on the ship she was officially bored and pouting because I forgot to put the swim suits in the carry on so we had to wait on our luggage to be brought to our cabin. I should have realized then that she wasn't feeling well.

The next day at breakfast she barely had time to tell me she wasn't feeling very well before she was sick in the dining room. With a patch behind her ear, some pepto and crackers she was mending, but that night Gracie and I went to eat dinner together while Hubby and Melody stayed in the cabin and had room service. Even though we felt guilty we had fun and the servers fawned over us, showing us tricks with balancing silverware and folding napkins.

When Melody was well again and able to go to the kid program we were docked in Nassau. Hubby and I, seeing that they were having the time of their lives reluctantly went on shore to look around at all the shops. We were walking and holding hands when it started to rain. We didn't run to find shelter or curse our luck. Instead we looked at each other and laughed. We held our hands out and lifted our faces toward the sky and then kept walking. We happened upon a liquor shop with their french doors wide open, welcoming in tourist to have samples.

Hubby laughed at me when I attempted to say Grand Marnier and it sounded like Grand Mariner. I had never tasted it or heard of it before, but as I stood there soaked the liquid warmed me down to my sandals and broadened the smile on my face. We bought a bottle and went back out into the rain before going into a little hole in the wall coffee shop. He had espresso with Grand Marnier, I had a glass of Grand Marnier and a slice of rum cake. We sat in the little shop and talked, laughed, looked around at the natives, and stared at each other. When we were ready to head back to the ship we were both disappointed that the rain had stopped.

7 comments:

Jeni said...

Now that you mention it, some things do evoke memories like that but I'd never really picked up on it before. Probably because no one had ever pointed it out to me before either though.

Suzy said...

My condolences for Parker.
Your life is extraordinary as you tell it. Thank you for sharing the most tragic of stories any parents should ever have to go through.

Sounds like the trip was medicine for everyone.

A little of the ol' orange cognac in your coffee in the morning sounds FANTASTIC!!!

What kind of donuts does it go with?

Love you
Suzy

Anonymous said...

That was a lovely story. So sad yet so emotionally charged. I think you probably know what I was thinking while reading this. Our loved ones put beautiful memories and lasting impressions on our hearts when we least expect.

Love Crystal xx

dgibbs said...

Jeni - I think I found out early in live about that, because Old Spice and green socks would remind me of my dad when he wasn't around.

Suzy - Thank you. It was medicine for us all. Orange cognac in your coffee is fantastic, not sure on which donuts would go with it though. Do they make a rum donut? ;)

Crystal - yes they do and I am thankful :)

Jade said...

What a wonderful story. :-) And told so well.
Let me just say firstly that I am so sorry for your loss. You have incredible strength, I hope you realize that. It has been proven by your ability to keep on keepin on after such a life altering tragedy.

The smell of rain...it can take a person back to so many different times in their lives can't it? I wonder why that is?
I'm glad your memory ended with a smile. :-)

Casdok said...

Yes a lovely tale.
Smell of rain mmmm

She's like the wind said...

I read with shock that you had lost a child, I never like to say sorry, I don't think it's the right word but I am at a loss to find the right words. But you have great memories, they will never leave. xx