I survived. That about sums up the past week. My dad decided it was time to head back west to Astoria to take him home and I was the chosen one to drive him there. I am still not sure how that happened. I don't recall anyone asking me...I was just told I was taking him home. Oh well, it all turned out okay and I finally made it back home after a week of bad weather, bad roads and a missed flight. Crazy stuff.
About two weeks ago my dad decided that he was "better" and it was time to go home. I still have my doubts about his recovery, but am I to argue? We made the necessary arrangements and decided that Monday, November 29th was the day. I felt really good about it. However, on Sunday we were slammed with a horrible snow storm and my dad decided that we should wait until Tuesday to leave. Looking back, I wish I had stood my ground. I had had a great feeling about leaving on Monday and I should have stuck to it. I didn't. I caved and we (my dad, me and his two cats) left on Tuesday instead and by evening we found ourselves in (and I quote the news from Idaho) "The worst snow storm since 1894"...figures. Had we left on Monday, we would have been fine. What a hard lesson to learn about listening to the spirit.
We were stuck in Caldwell, Idaho in a hotel from Tuesday evening until Thursday early afternoon. The snow was so bad that I-84 was shut down between Caldwell and Baker City. We could not even leave if we wanted to. By Thursday afternoon I overheard some truckers talking in the lobby about how they had just driven through I-84 and that the roads were not too bad. I ran back to my room, packed up my dad, the cats and loaded all the luggage in the car and began to head west once again. I knew we would not make it over the Blue Mountains, but I wanted to at least make it to Baker City...which we did. That little trip usually takes about 2 hours. That day it took 3. The roads were awful and I said many prayers that we would somehow arrive safely. We did and set up camp once again to wait out the snow storm that arrived just as we pulled in to town.
I was discouraged. All I could see anywhere was snow. On the ground, in the sky on the roads...everywhere. I remember at one point leaving my dad and the cats in our room and going out for a walk. By now it was Thursday and I knew that I would not catching my flight home the next day. I cried. I was drained and although I was enjoying my time with my dad I just wanted this trip to be over and to be home with my family. I called my mom and cried some more. Thank goodness my mom has always been there for me to talk through things and help me out. I was mentally and emotionally exhausted and she was great. Thanks mom :)
Before I went back to my room, I said a silent prayer that somehow we would be able to get home soon. I remember pleading with my Father in Heaven to please hear my prayer. I then began to think how selfish I was. I started to think about the pioneers and how they had crossed the plains in much harsher conditions. Who was I to murmur and think my journey was hard? Putting it into perspective helped tremendously. I had a warm room and bed to sleep in. I had plenty of food to eat and great company. I had a car to drive through the snow, not a handcart to pull. My Father taught me a great lesson that night.
The next morning I woke up and looked out the window expecting to see snow all around. What a surprise to look out and see the most beautiful blue sky and sunshine. No clouds anywhere. What a miracle :) When my dad saw this he said "Dawna, we are busting out of here!" Ha! And we did. We drove all the way to Astoria that day with only encountering about 1 mile of bad roads. An answered prayer.
I changed my flight and arrived home this evening all safe and sound. Looking back this week seems more like a month. This morning as I was talking to my mom she quoted me a scripture that I have thought about a lot today. It is:
"Wherefore ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward...and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father, ye shall have eternal life." (2 Nephi 31:20)This trip taught me many things. Patience being the biggest. It also taught me to always have hope. I can't tell you how discouraged I was becoming just sitting in a hotel room waiting for the weather to pass. My mom told me that we just need to have a "perfect hope" that all will be well and it was. Maybe not in the time period I desired, but in the Lord's time. It also taught me that people are more important than anything. Spending time with my dad was fun. Yes, at times I thought I would loose my mind and I am sure he felt the same way too, but I feel like I grew a little closer to him these past few months and especially these past few days.
As I sat on the plane on the way home tonight, I was filled with conflicting emotions. Tears because I was tired. Tears because I was happy to be going home to my family. Tears because I was leaving my dad all alone. Tears of gratitude for a Heavenly Father that loves me a watches over me...ALWAYS. And tears from knowing that this experience with my dad is far from over. Only the first chapter has closed.
