It was way too hectic and way too busy. We had way too much to do, way too many people to see, and way too many miles to travel. It should have spanned three weekends instead of one!
The craziness actually began on Thursday night. After I got home from work, I was scrambling to prep the house for the movement of furniture that Dad, Mom, Mike, and I were going to do at 8:30 that evening.
I was also trying to pack for the weekend, cook dinner for Mike (so we could eat together as soon as he arrived), and prepare for a 7 PM teacher's meeting.
But the doorbell rang, and it was my dear friend Theresa and her sister Sarah who had spontaneously stopped by for a visit!
It was so great to see them, especially since I haven't seen them in over a year. Since they were in town, they thought they'd stop by, so we chatted and caught up as much as we could before I had to change and dash out to my teacher's meeting.
Friday after school was another mad-dash rush. Michael had a business dinner to attend in Baltimore; so, after work, I ran home to shower and get a bit gussied up before hitting the road.
I had to pack very quickly, load Macy into the backseat, and stop for gas. After an hour commute, I got there just in time to get Macy into Michael's apartment and jump into Michael's car, for another hour-long commute into downtown Baltimore.
The business dinner was great but the speaker lasted until 11 PM. By the time we were home, had Macy walked, and were finally ready for bed, it was an exhausting 2 AM. Ugh. How on earth do some people have relaxing, calm weekends?
On Saturday, it was time to celebrate the marriage of our friends Michael and Aliah in Maryland. It was pouring rain all day (which made driving challenging), but the newlyweds were all smiles, and everything was beautiful!
We felt bad having to rush out of their reception early, but we had a house party to throw back in Pennsylvania, which was another hour-and-a-half away.
But first we'd have to drive back to Michael's apartment, pack up all our stuff, and load Macy into the car. The rain was falling so hard by this time that we could barely see in front of ourselves. Even though I had on a jacket and boots, I quickly got soaked through and through!
On the walk to our cars, Michael and I were both completely encumbered with about 15 bags. I was struggling to hold onto Macy's leash while holding everything else, and Michael was struggling to hold an umbrella over my head while holding all that he had.
Michael helped me load things into my trunk and get in, and then he went to his car. How on earth were we going to beat our guests to the house? We had so much driving to do, and the roads were already becoming flooded. I could barely see out my front windshield!
With haste, I pulled my car out of its space -- and drove off, with Michael trailing quickly behind me.
Unbeknown to either of us, I had left behind my laptop bag. It was still sitting in the rain in that wet parking lot which was full of puddles! It's incredible that I didn't run the laptop over, given that it had been leaning against my car tire. Thank you, Jesus!
When we finally arrived to our house, multiple cars were lined up beside it. I apologized profusely to everyone for making them wait, then tried to help everyone get into the house without getting them more soaked than they already were.
More chaos ensued after we entered the house.
I searched the refrigerator for any quick food items that might satisfy his hungry appetite, and thank God a fruit parfait and a few cut grapes held him over! He was an absolutely precious boy, and I regret that I never slowed down enough to have the chance to hold him. :-(
Meanwhile, Michael was frantic in the kitchen. Since grilling burgers and hot dogs outside on the deck was now impossible because of the torrential rain, he was cleverly attempting to prepare all the food using a conventional oven while courteously introducing himself to the many guests who had not yet met him!
Outside in the rain, I began unfolding and assembling a series of large metal ramps to help Chris into the house in his wheelchair. His girlfriend, Clare, who's blind, called ahead and requested that I clear a path to the bathroom so that she could immediately go into it upon entering. After ushering her in, I then helped Chris in, quickly gave a tour of the house to Deb, and started setting the table and taking drink orders.
She and I got into a tug-of-war battle as I begged her to at least go outside for a moment to relieve herself, since it had been so long since her last walk.
With great effort and embarrassment (as everyone watched me) I finally got her outside in the rain, but she and I both tripped over Chris' metal ramps as we exited, and this happened just as more thunder clapped in the sky, so Macy--absolutely terrified--pushed her weight back into the house. We were both soaking wet...and I had certainly lost that battle. The laptop was, as you might imagine, still the farthest thing from my over-loaded mind.
Once the NINE of us were all settled at the table and eating was about to commence, more insanity ensued.
There was a frantic knock at the door. It was my neighbor Bob, who had come over to warn us that a tornado had just touched down in the next town over and that we ought to get into the basement as soon as possible. Oh, geez! Could my weekend get any wackier?!
With that, I kindly asked the crowd of people in my house, "Will you excuse me while I call my mother?" Everyone nodded.
After speaking to her, I then called the family across the street. I also thought of checking the weather forecast online, but then I realized my laptop was missing. Was it in my car?
Risking his life even though I pleaded that he stay inside, Michael dashed out in the rain and wind to the car. Meanwhile, I tried to keep our guests jovial and happy, despite the continued commotion. When Michael returned, I asked him, "Do you have it? Can you check the Internet for me?" to which he nodded, as he (soaked to the bone) began to rummage through the wet bags.
Eventually, our crazy night came to close. The tornado did not hit us, and I was relieved that everything was, for the most part, a success. The kitchen was an absolute mess and there would be no time to clean it, but time spent with friends, even when it's hectic and rushed, is always valuable. :)
After mass, we seemed to run into a TON of people we knew, so an entire second hour passed before we finally departed for home.
Back at the house, we began to serve Chris and Clare lunch -- and then more insanity commenced.
Suddenly, I realized that I could not find my laptop. Hadn't Mike gotten it from the car the night before? He told me that he had grabbed everything else from the car trunk and just figured that he'd use his iPad, since it was quicker. So where was it?!
Then it dawned on me. The last moment I had my laptop was those few seconds I had promised myself that I would only temporarily lean my laptop case against the wheel of my car. Oh, my God, please help me find it!
Clare suggested Mother Teresa's "Express Novena" of 9 Memoraries and so she and Chris huddled together in the center of the living room while also trying to pack for their immediate departure.
I got on the phone with the police, who--unfortunately--refused to dispatch a police car since, they said, the laptop was only "lost" and not "stolen." I was furious!
Nausea and panic began to set in as I realized all the precious photographs that were on that laptop. Every photo that had ever been taken of Michael and I were on that machine! More anxiety came as I realized that the computer held hundreds of professional digital files, like my student grade book, worksheets, PowerPoint presentations, and original how-to videos that I've recorded myself and use to teach!
My iTunes music library had an array of albums I had purchased. And my planner, which was also in the laptop bag, had a packed calendar of events and appointments between now and February of 2012. Also in my planner was an array of important contact information (for wedding vendors), tons of website and password information, plus invitations and driving directions to upcoming events. I felt...absolutely LOST.
The nature of this great loss would be impacting me for YEARS to come.
By the time I got Chris and Clare packed up and safely into the van and ready for their departure, I was about an hour behind Mike. On the drive there, I tried to be prayerful, even though my panic and frustration was overwhelming me. I begged God to grant me the miracle of finding my laptop in good condition. And I sought the help of Our Lady, His Holy Mother Mary. I also asked for St. Joseph to help me!
And then I called upon the intercession of Venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot, St. Philomena, and St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost articles.
Then Michael called. It wasn't in the parking lot, he explained.
I was stoic.
I was silent.
I was... sick.
By the grace of God, I began to gain perspective. I had what really mattered to me, and that was my family and friends and life itself. All would be OK. Maybe God was trying to tell me that I had way to many things on my schedule and that I needed to slow down and learn to say no to people. It was my rushing which caused me to accidentally leave the laptop bag behind, and it was my over-packed calendar which caused me to have to rush. :-(
Once I made it to the parking lot 45 minutes later, I searched in every nook and cranny. I searched around bushes, beneath parked cars, and even looked down into the sewer drain. Next, I was prepared to dive into the dumpster. I didn't think I'd find the laptop, but even if I could find a single page of my planner, it would be invaluable to me...and might give me some clues!
Just then, Michael called again. And this time, we got disconnected due to poor cell phone reception. This forced me to look more closely at my screen, to examine how many "bars" I had. With that, I noticed a tiny little voice mail icon in the corner of my screen. Could it be...?
With a fervent prayer, I retrieved the message.
Left at 6:10 PM, which was just 40 minutes after Michael and I had departed the parking lot the night before, a middle-aged man, who worked at the post office, called to tell me that he found my bag, soaked and sitting in a puddle, and brought it home with him. At my earliest convenience, I should please call him to arrange to pick it up.
PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!! With elation, I ran to Michael's apartment to tell him the good news. A good Samaritan had saved the day! We went to see the man, tried to give him $100 for his generosity and honesty (which he refused to accept), and the laptop and planner were back in my possession!
Incredibly, the laptop and planner were both perfectly fine and unharmed from the water. The laptop bag, while soaked and certainly not waterproof, was thick enough to absorb the water like a sponge yet keep the contents dry.
I hugged the man and thanked him for saving my professional and personal life! That night on Facebook, I posted the following:
