Life's lesson in the flood!

[Kyoko]

My son and I took a one day trip ( was supposed to be one day) to NYC, left Pittsburgh 8 am on Wednesday( about 6 hours drive ).  I do not own  a GPS, but we do this quite often, so we were OK. On the way to NYC, we encountered some heavy rain, and high level of water by Susquehanna river. There were a couple of serious accidents along the way as well...However, we did not think much of it. After all, in NYC it was just a drizzle, mom got to shop for a couple of hours and son took care of his matters. And by 8 pm, I was heading back to Pittsburgh by myself. Around 11 pm, I started to get tired a little, so I stopped at the local gas station to get a cup of coffee. Carrying the small conversation with the clark, I mentioned that I was a bit tired to her. Then she stated " Well, that's OK because you can't drive any further tonight. All of the west bound inter-state highways are closed due to the rain..." Oh, no....... Well,  I would just have to get a room, and by the morning, it should be all right. So this morning, I started off again at 8 am. When I was checking out, I asked the hotel clark about the road. She told me that the all westbound highways are still all closed! Oh... no.... I have a problem now. Well, she told me to take 80 East, instead of West, then take 81 South, and then take this and that and I should somehow make it back to Pittsburgh..... At this point, it should only take 3 1/2 hours to get home, so even I take some detour, it should be OK, I thought. So I take 80 E to 81 S, then shortly after I was on 81 S, it is now closed. Now I really have no idea where to go.... Some lady told me to take 61, but did not know South or North, some guy told me to take 61 South, and then take this and that. 61 South was packed, I creeped on this small road in the middle of nowhere, where I have no idea where it is, nor where it is leading...... By then I have already spent 3 hours..... Oh, men I should be almost home by now...... I was a bit frustrated by this time. Do I even know if this road is the right road? How do I know this is not going to be closed again? Should I be staying in this little town where I have no idea where it is? If this was a case, I could have spent the night in NYC! blah blah blah  ......Then, suddenly, I gave up. I gave up trying to make on time, gave up trying to be in control, gave up trying to make sence, I just gave up and looked around..... There was nothing I can do about it anyway. I just enjoyed the scenary of this small winding road for a good while, got on another highway for a good while and then finally got on a familiar turnpike which lead me to Pittsburgh. It took me total of about 9 hours to get home which should have been 3 &1/2  hours..... But here's a lesson I learned. " Life is a full of detour..... Take a deep breath, enjoy the scenary and go with the flow. At the end, it will all work out..."

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

That's a great insight after a scary start. Thanks for sharing! Glad you are safe!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

This is a great blog Kyoko!  It is amazing what a difference a simple change in attitude can make in whether we enjoy life or not!

[Kyoko]

I thought that, even in a regular situation, things does not work out the way we planned, ie marriage, child rearing, school, job etc.... but it is OK for us to take a detour or two.... because it will work at the end anyway....

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Thanks Kyoko for reminding to stop and smell the roses...even if they are a bit damp with rain.

[Donna K & Quincy]

A good lesson for all of us, I'm not quite sure that would have been my reaction at the time.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you for sharing a life's lesson that we all need to be reminded of.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Wisdom from such a trying circumstance. Glad you are home and not stressed by the event, just grateful for the beauty around you.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Midway through your story, it sounded like the beginning of one of those slasher, horror movies.  A lost lone traveler spends the night in a small, dilapidated motel in the middle of nowhere ... 

 

Glad you made it home safe and sound!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is something I need to always keep in mind, Kyoko.  I have a tendency to get frustrated in situations like this...taking a deep breath and going with the flow is certainly a better solution.  Glad you got home safely, and thanks for sharing.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Kyoko, Wow...what a trip home, but I like how you think :) It is always good to try and make something good out of a bad situation. Have your kids get you a GPS for Christmas. They really do come in handy.