What Fesh Hell is This?

I suppose I should have chosen something more festive for a title, but frankly, it came down between this and, "F***ing Snow, F***ing Heathrow, Merry F***ing Chirstmas!" I thought the chosen title was a bit less belligerent. Why all the hostility? Because due to a relatively minor snowfall, Heathrow fell apart, and I'm stuck in London, alone, for Christmas. The truly upsetting thing is that it didn't have to happen. The snow fell on Saturday. It wasn't much. But, Tuesday, they were still canceling flights left and right because they hadn't cleared the 2nd runway. In light of heavy criticism, the response from the powers that be is, "Other countries are used to snow, but we don't normally have weather like this." Hmm, well, this is the 3rd winter in  row, so maybe it's time to stop wringing your hands and start admitting that now you do have weather like this! And invest in some snowplows and salt. Geez. I thought Yonkers was bad with snow removal, but at least it's not a major international city with one of the busiest airports in the world!

I was on hold with Virgin for three hours before I finally got through, and the best they could do was a Boxing Day flight. We tried every airport on the East Coast, figuring I could then drive to NY. But there was nothing. At one point, I even told the woman (Michaela was her name - very nice woman) that I would take a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer, but apparently that was booked too (peak time!). So, I'm stuck here. The first Christmas without both Mom and Dad, and Keith and I are separated by 3000 miles, and an entire ocean. Not to mention that Keith and Angela are going through so much right now because of her illness. We really needed to be together. For many people, these issues are an inconvenience. For me, it's a tragedy.

I am trying to make the best of it, and my boss here, Gaynor, has been very kind and invited me to spend the holidays with her family. At least I won't be all alone. Cali and Brooke have been at the sitter since Monday, so I haven't had them around either. But at least I know they're doing fine. I'll be getting the train to Gaynor's a little later, and then going from her house to the airport Sunday. At least (all things being equal), I should get som time at home, but I lost five days and, as philosophical as I'm trying to be, it still is very upsetting.

Well, on a brighter note - special thanks to family and friends who have patiently listened to me vent my frustration (with special note to Erika's idea to airlift snowplows and salt from the US and Canada!), and to Michaela at Virgin for trying to get me home in time, and to Gaynor for sharing her Christmas with me. At least the Christmas Spirit is alive and well.

Merry Christmas!