The best surprise ever
I was not in the holiday spirit at all this year. Christmas music played over and over again at work and I helped customers pick out gifts while I thought to myself, "well, I guess I'll make myself a good steak and drink champagne from the bottle." My roommates and I were planning a family dinner but that's just not the same as being home at my grandma's surrounded by my family.
It wasn't until the Friday before Christmas that my wonderful aunt Cheryl texted me with an amazing offer - why don't I fly in Christmas morning to surprise my mom? My heart leaped with joy! But I worked every day, what was I to do? I ran into work and found one of my managers. I grabbed her and told I needed to talk to her. I found someone to cover my Wednesday shift and she approved so once again I leaped with joy and had to wait till my break to text my aunt back. The idea was to fly in Tuesday morning and leave Thursday so I could make my Friday shift. But we missed the Thursday flights by minutes - it was all booked.
I was down again. I walked slowly around the store, all bummed. I had told my roommates the idea so then they wanted to do the same thing. Oh great I thought, now I'll really be alone on Christmas.
The next day I was talking to another manager about it and she told me if the new specialist would cover my Friday shift, she would allow it. Once again, I ran to the break room to text my aunt. She got me on a flight back on Friday morning so I'd be able to spend three whole days in Portland!
I hugged my managers, the girls that covered my shifts, and practically screamed Merry Christmas to anyone who walked by me. I was a joy to be around. When I told some people my plan to surprise my mom, they started tearing up with happiness.
I worked Christmas Eve and the day went by so slow. I was so anxious to get back and pack (yes, of course I waited till the last minute to pack.) I bought a Pink duffle bag (what else?) to stuff a few things in. I left my apartment at about 3 am to make my 7:35 am flight out of Newark. I had to take three trains to Penn Station to take NJ transit to the Newark Airtrain to get into the airport. Yes, it was a great commute, but so worth it.
I landed in Portland at 1 pm and my aunt picked me up from the airport and took me to my grandparents who also had no idea. My grandma cried, saying "you're home?!" I quickly freshened up upstairs while I waited my mom's arrival. When she came, everyone helped her get her things and her coat while I crept downstairs. I was literally standing right behind her when my aunt told her to turn around because she had something on her butt. She screamed and started sobbing and she pulled me into her arms. We hugged forever. And it was the best Christmas ever.
Thank you, Cheryl, for bringing the holiday spirit back into my life (and my mom's).
It wasn't until the Friday before Christmas that my wonderful aunt Cheryl texted me with an amazing offer - why don't I fly in Christmas morning to surprise my mom? My heart leaped with joy! But I worked every day, what was I to do? I ran into work and found one of my managers. I grabbed her and told I needed to talk to her. I found someone to cover my Wednesday shift and she approved so once again I leaped with joy and had to wait till my break to text my aunt back. The idea was to fly in Tuesday morning and leave Thursday so I could make my Friday shift. But we missed the Thursday flights by minutes - it was all booked.
I was down again. I walked slowly around the store, all bummed. I had told my roommates the idea so then they wanted to do the same thing. Oh great I thought, now I'll really be alone on Christmas.
The next day I was talking to another manager about it and she told me if the new specialist would cover my Friday shift, she would allow it. Once again, I ran to the break room to text my aunt. She got me on a flight back on Friday morning so I'd be able to spend three whole days in Portland!
I hugged my managers, the girls that covered my shifts, and practically screamed Merry Christmas to anyone who walked by me. I was a joy to be around. When I told some people my plan to surprise my mom, they started tearing up with happiness.
I worked Christmas Eve and the day went by so slow. I was so anxious to get back and pack (yes, of course I waited till the last minute to pack.) I bought a Pink duffle bag (what else?) to stuff a few things in. I left my apartment at about 3 am to make my 7:35 am flight out of Newark. I had to take three trains to Penn Station to take NJ transit to the Newark Airtrain to get into the airport. Yes, it was a great commute, but so worth it.
I landed in Portland at 1 pm and my aunt picked me up from the airport and took me to my grandparents who also had no idea. My grandma cried, saying "you're home?!" I quickly freshened up upstairs while I waited my mom's arrival. When she came, everyone helped her get her things and her coat while I crept downstairs. I was literally standing right behind her when my aunt told her to turn around because she had something on her butt. She screamed and started sobbing and she pulled me into her arms. We hugged forever. And it was the best Christmas ever.
Thank you, Cheryl, for bringing the holiday spirit back into my life (and my mom's).
It was absolutely the best Christmas ever!
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