JEAN 'S GRANDPARENTS CALL

This has really been a day (Monday) and we haven't even reached noon yet as I give this post to Marilyn.

In Grandmother's last post she told how Grandfather Albert had announced they were going to Pinecraft.  Grandmother tried to come up with all sorts of excuses even after he announced they were going.  She made Grandfather make an appointment with his heart doctor to make sure this trip wouldn't bother his heart.  It is hard to get a doctor appointment on such notice, but the doctor knowing Grandmother gave him one.  He checked Grandfather out and said that the trip would be good for him.  It would get him out of the cold weather.  Also, would give them a different view on life.

David and I were concerned because someone had measles on an Amtrak train and they were trying to let the people that were on the train know.  We were concerned because if it happened on one train it could happen on another.  Of course, we do not blame the train, it's people.  Grandfather has had his shot, but Grandmother never did.  She would not get it at the doctors office no matter what he said.

On Sunday, Grandfather Albert announced to Grandmother to start packing.  They were leaving on the train on Monday morning and she better be ready.  The train was to leave at 5:40 AM so they had a driver coming at 3:00 AM to take them to the train station.  We were concerned about the coming snow, but checked and the trains were still going to be running.  After much protesting Grandmother did her packing and getting ready.

We got up at 2:00 AM and I made them a quick breakfast.  As promised, I woke Katie and Susan to say good by.  Also, we checked to make sure the trains were still going.  I packed them a lunch and some things to munch on along their way.  The driver arrived at 3:00 AM and assured us that they would get to the train station even with the snow.

After they left David and I went back to bed.  We got up in the morning to do chores.  My Father called and wanted to speak to his parents.  Grandmother Olive and Grandfather Albert are my Father's parents.  I explained that they were on the train.  My Father said he heard that the trains had been cancelled due to snow.  We tried to call Amtrak, but I guess everyone was as the lines were busy.  David called the driver.  The driver said that he delivered my Grandparents to the train station.  Of course my Father's how we could have allowed his parents to do that in this storm, didn't help.

I was almost frantic.  All I could see is this senior citizen Old Order Mennonite couple roaming the streets of the city in this storm trying to find a place to stay.  David told me to calm down, my parents would know to either get a driver back here or stay some place safe.  They were not roaming the city streets.  But, they did not come back home.

Finally, my Grandparents called.  Before they could tell me, I asked them where they were and I would send a driver for them.  Grandfather told me to calm down.  When the train had been cancelled he made arrangements to go on tomorrow's (Tuesday) train.  So rather than come back home, they had gotten a cab and were staying in a hotel near the train station.  He said in this weather, he didn't want a driver to come and get them just to bring them back again the next day.  The hotel had a nice restaurant where they could get their meals.

I explained that my Father had called and what he said.  Grandfather laughed and said he would let Grandmother Olive call him.  She would see that he was calmed down.

So, I hope the train left this morning.  It will go right through Marilyn's town on the way to New York City.  Grandfather said he would call the Florida driver and advise them they would be late.  Also he would call Bishop Eli's parents to tell them they would be late.

Spoke with Grandmother who told me I should have not have worried.  They had been in the city before.  Also, the Lord does not want us to worry.  We are to trust in Him.

If all goes well today, they should have left Rochester at 5:40 AM to arrive in New York City at 12:50 PM.   Their train for Florida leaves at 3:15 PM and should arrive in Tampa about 3:30 PM tomorrow.  From there Grandfather has a driver picking them up and driving them to Sarasota and Pinecraft.

I did ask Grandmother, before she left, if she would tell us about the their trip on the train as people have asked about it.  She said when she got settled in Florida, she would.

Be With God,
Jean