We flew into the San Diego Airport where I had a pre-arranged rental car waiting for us. Because I was equipped for a successful trip, I had my MapQuest directions with me for the drive from the airport to our resort destination. Who knew the rental car agency was not located at the airport! We took a shuttle to the rental car agency, loaded ourselves and the luggage in the car and took off in pursuit of the resort. However, my MapQuest directions were now useless. I was useless. I drove and drove, around and around. The boys’ excitement waned and the youngest two fell asleep in the back seat while the oldest, about 13 years old, attempted to help his frantic mother navigate. We went back and forth on the interstates as well as up and down the hilly side roads throughout the surrounding neighborhoods of San Diego. About FOUR hours after leaving the airport, we found our destination. My MapQuest told me it was to be a thirteen (13) minute trip. I was indeed questioning both my decision and my ability as a single mom to vacation so far away from home with my young boys. But just as typical for me now, I did not let fear keep me from living life! Abundant life!
The next day we started fresh with anticipation of a fun day. We drove the car to Seaport Village where I allowed the boys to spend their vacation allowance on whatever they wanted. A shop that specialized in Magic Tricks caught their attention. One boy bought Itching Powder and another (embarrassingly to write) Fart Powder. Back at the hotel just before bedtime, I could tell the two oldest were up to something as they whispered and giggled as we prepared to settle in for the night. They finally gave it up. They were plotting to slip the fart powder in the youngest boy’s soda! I objected. Of course, my objections are rarely final and they negotiated their way into moving forward with their plans if their little brother agreed to do it. The youngest brother didn’t need much coaxing to ingest the fart powder, always willing to show off to his Big Bros. He proudly finished the glass of fart-powder mixed soda as I sat back and watched while seriously questioning why I did not stop this foolishness. But, I assured myself that a store couldn’t sell something that was toxic if ingested, right?
During the middle of the night, something horrible awoke me. It was beyond human! It was the worse smell I had ever encountered in my life! As I became more conscious, I remembered the Fart Powder!
My baby needed an emergency room! The Fart Powder must be killing him! Oh, why wasn’t I a better mother! I reached for my glasses on the nightstand and instead, accidentally put on my sunglasses IN THE DARK. I was frantically tripping around the room trying to find the light switch. I knew this was an emergency situation. I felt my way around the room as the smell totally engulfed the room. As I found the light and a bit more of my senses, I noticed the smell was actually coming from the air conditioner vent and Hallelujah! not from my poor neglected baby boy. An unhappy skunk “let loose” outside our window. Calmed and collected once again, I had never smelled anything quite so sweet!
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." —John 10:10
Oh Aunt Patti, that's a funny one! (Your boys sound like their Uncle John.)
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