My contradictory nature

I don't like travel. I like airports. I like hotels and waking up somewhere new. I just don't like the actual travel thing – the literal moving from hither to yon. This washes over me when I think about how much I enjoyed my little trip to Grand Rapids to visit my niece and Baby Violet.

O'Hare recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It was a lovely display, especially as the daylight shines through. I also saw another lovely display. As I was checking in, I noticed a young couple saying goodbye. That was quite a hug! Such sad faces. Were they breaking up? Was one of them moving away for a career opportunity in a shitty economy? Had they just fallen in love when one came to Chicago on vacation, and now vacation is over? 

I've become so appreciative of Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Yes, it's a small airport. But it's laid out very well and the employees have been uniformly helpful. As one who spent decades flying in and out of EYW, I promise you this is not always the case. I also like the visuals. There are installations inspired by Alexander Calder and the architecture itself is pretty cool. 

I was very happy and comfortable at one of the airport hotels. In fact, I insisted. Both my nephew and her husband work full time. They have two cats and a most active toddler. They don't need me underfoot, and they certainly shouldn't have to bother with the guest room.

It gave me an opportunity to observe the hotel staff, which is like a little village within a town. The guy who drives the airport shuttle, the front desk staff, housekeeping, the breakfast host ... I had trouble with the heat and, at about 11:00 PM, I padded down to the front desk. A lone middle-aged woman was manning the post. Two girls were lounging around the lobby, a twenty-something with an iPad and a  grade schooler with a Barbie. The girls were the oldest and youngest of the hotel employee's six children, "keeping Mom company." What a little snapshot of domestic life I got in that moment.

Now, for the star of our show. Little Violet is a most extraordinary 16-month old. She looooves books and has a small bookshelf all her own. She will grab a book, bring it to you to read with her, and then just drop it on the floor when she's done. They simply cannot convey to her the importance of putting things back. I am the same way.

Like Violet's, only she stacks her books 2 or 3 deep.

 

They have two cats. The skinny black one gives her wide berth and she seems to respect that. But the big black and white one with the bum leg – he is like her brother. They are always together and she shares her toys and books with him. I am the same way.

Where Violet and I differ is in our eating habits. We dined in a restaurant together. She is fascinated by utensils and almost - but not quite – understands their use. Example: she was served mac and cheese. She then took her spoon and added some of her mother's Ranch dipping sauce to her pasta. Not my culinary choice, but it was artfully done. Then she proceeded to abandon the spoon and eat with her fingers. She enjoyed it thoroughly and needed a bath when we got home. She takes swimming lessons and was proud to show off her willingness to lie back in the water. 

In the backyard we were one again. She played for a moment on the slide because it seemed to make us happy, but she was all about her swing. The look on her face as she flew through the air! I am the same way.