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Always a Mother: The Travel Woes of Holiday Homecomings
As college students prepare to return home for the holidays, travel during Christmas break can often feel like a daunting challenge. And let’s not forget about the parents—especially those who have grown accustomed to the warm California sunshine. When my son, Jake, needed to fly back to California from the University of Wisconsin for his inaugural Christmas break, I quickly transformed into a worrywart mother.
Like any loving mom, I started with the basics—checking the weather for his journey home. But my “normal” kicked into high gear, and I began obsessively monitoring forecasts two weeks in advance, multiple times each day. For people like pilots or truck drivers, those hourly weather updates are invaluable. For someone like me? It’s a recipe for anxiety.
In mid-December, the news was hardly surprising: snow was predicted to sweep across several states in the Midwest. Naturally, this sent my worry levels skyrocketing. Nearly a week before Jake’s flight, I was glued to my phone, tracking the weather in Wisconsin, where he was, Denver, where he would connect, and Monterey, California, his final destination.
I had all the details at my fingertips—temperature, wind speed, humidity, and even the likelihood of precipitation. I was acutely aware of the challenges he could face, and honestly, my worrying might have been more perilous than the actual weather.
Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder whether my anxiety might send out negative vibes into the universe. Could my fretful thoughts actually influence the weather? Apparently, they could. When Jake arrived at the airport in Madison, he discovered that all flights had been canceled for the day.
Luckily, being neurotic has its perks. While Jake was busy with his final exam, blissfully unaware of my atmospheric meddling, I was already devising a backup plan. I snagged the last available ticket on a flight out of Chicago to the West Coast. This new plan involved a short cab ride from his dorm to the Madison airport, followed by a three-hour bus ride to O’Hare in Chicago.
I called Jake to share the new arrangement, confident that he would handle it like the responsible young adult he is. However, my peace of mind didn’t last long. The internet can be a treacherous place for a worried mom. I quickly learned that some flights in Chicago were already delayed, and fog was rolling in—an issue not just for O’Hare but also for the bus Jake would be on.
Heavy holiday traffic added another layer of anxiety, and I began to envision worst-case scenarios, such as a potential accident on the highway. My mind raced with thoughts—what if Jake hadn’t even boarded the bus yet? Maybe he should just wait in Madison until the fog cleared.
After an hour of silence, I caved and sent him a text: “How about waiting in Madison till the fog lifts? Maybe skip Chicago and come home tomorrow?” No response. Was he still in Madison? On the bus? Or worse?
Another half-hour passed, and I tried to maintain my composure, texting, “Just want to know where you are and what’s happening.” Finally, the third message came: “I’m not panicked… yet.”
In between my growing anxiety, I was still checking the weather in Chicago and the status of his flight. I even considered checking with the Wisconsin Highway Patrol, just to be sure.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, Jake finally replied. His phone had been low on battery, and he didn’t want me to worry. He had fallen asleep on the bus to Chicago and only noticed my messages after waking up. “I’m at O’Hare waiting to board!” he texted.
In that moment, he did exactly what any typical college kid would do, and I finally acted like a normal mom. I responded casually, assuring him I’d see him at the San Jose airport that night.
Traveling during the holidays can be stressful, but it’s comforting to know that despite our worries, everything often turns out just fine. For more on navigating the journey of parenthood, check out this insightful post on Intracervical Insemination.
Summary
The article captures a mother’s anxious journey as she prepares for her son’s holiday travel from college. It humorously explores her obsessive worry over weather conditions and flight statuses, ultimately leading to a heartwarming resolution. The story highlights the universal challenges of parenting, particularly during the holiday season.