We are currently in the middle of Chicago’s biggest snowstorm of the season. They are calling for 22 inches or so. The papers and news stations are raving about this devastating, multifaceted winter blizzard. I’m not sure I’d call it that….. but we’ll see what the neighborhood looks like in the morning.
The daycare told us they were planning to close today at 4, rather than 6pm, in order to get their employees home before the storm really kicked in. Completely understandable. We can make that work, right?!
Around 2pm, the flurries started. Nothing was really accumulating, but the wind was AWFUL! Visibility was an issue. The commute from work to daycare usually takes 12-15 minutes each evening. That same commute in the morning, when traffic is MUCH heavier never takes more than 30 minutes. I thought for sure, that giving myself a little over an hour would be plenty. As I was packing up to go home, I checked google maps to view the traffic load. The major interstate was just starting to slow a little. I still wasn’t worried. In hindsight…. I wish I would have accounted for potential gridlock!
I got into my car and joined traffic on Ontario heading west towards I-90/94. The first two blocks (the distance from my parking garage to Michigan Ave) took a devastating 40 minutes!!!! Now, I’m super worried!!! I realized that there was no way that I would get to the daycare on time!!!!
I called Nate and he knew that it would take him at least an hour by public transit to get to the daycare. We kind of agreed that it wasn’t worth him leaving early too…. So I continued! The interstate was soooo backed up. I checked out google maps on my phone…. It looked like Chicago Ave to Elston was moving the fastest. i worked my way over…. But that also took forever!
Now its officially 4pm. I’m late and stuck in total gridlock!! Not only am I embarrassed of my tardiness, but I’m bummed that I’m holding daycare teachers back from safe travels and I FEEL LIKE AN AWFUL MOTHER!!! One of my greatest fears for having Miles in daycare is for him to be the last one picked up. I don’t want him to feel forgotten. Feelings of neglect and abandonment are squeezing the life out of me heart :o(
So,…. I swallowed my pride and called daycare to let them know my situation. The director said that there were currently 7 children left.. I promised her I was trying to find a new route and that I would be there asap! I called Nate, balling hysterically, trying to figure out what to do. I felt awful for being late – but was overwhelmed with frustration because I wasn’t going ANYWHERE!!!! I was stuck in the middle of 4 lanes of traffic in stand still. After watching the light turn red for the 7th cycle with absolutely no movement…. I called Nate again.
He was on the train trying to get home too…. and trying to calm me down… and trying to make phone calls to survey the damage. I suggested that he ask one of our neighbors to pick him up…. His co-worker lives a block away and his wife was at home – BUT their car was in the shop! She offered to help by calling other friends of theirs who could pick Miles up for us.
With help dispatched…. I calmed a little, but was still balling while I tried to get through traffic. Nate planned to get off the train and walk to our neighbor’s house and greet Miles with open arms… I just kept trying to get closer to home or daycare or anything other than where I was….
It’s now 5pm. Nate made it to the neighbor’s house and there’s no sign of Miles. He heads home, fills me in and then calls daycare. As the director answers, our helper arrives and takes Miles out of the center and starts to drive him to our place. It’s 5:30pm and I’m only 2 blocks away… Nate calls and fills me in that Miles has been picked up. I redirect and head home. Shortly after parking in our garage, the helper arrives and Miles is home safe.
Summary:
Nate – grateful we’re all together and hungry… What’s for dinner?
Miles – same as dad, imagine that!
Mom – A frustrated ball of emotions. If I could stop crying to elaborate on those feelings, I would…..
Total travel time – 3 hours
Total mileage traveled – 7.2 miles
Number of times I dialed Nate’s number - 11
Plan for tomorrow: We are not driving. Public transit only. Nate will likely stay home with Miles since the daycare is rumored to close for the day… and I still don’t have any time off.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that You will make all things right If I surrender to Your Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
Kelly
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