The “Accidental Tourist,” Watching my Children Shine
When we last connected, I was winding down my journey as a Lone Star Texas homeowner. Most of my blogs involve places I’ve explored and the people I was fortunate enough to meet. This journey was different as my children are the center of the story. The youngest, is a dance and ballet star about to perform in 7 acts in her yearly recital. The oldest, set to graduate from high school and run in his final track event as a Paint Branch Panther.
Houston Departure
Early (I mean 4am) in the morning, the Uber driver arrived at my Fort Bend County location for the ride to Hobby Airport. He was to pick me up at 3:50, but seemed to have trouble finding my departure point. He loaded my bag and said, “Hobby Airport, that’s a long drive sir.” Right about then, I began to think catching my 6:05am flight was not going to happen. It’s clear this guy was thinking that getting to the airport was like most of us going to the moon. When he said his express lane “easy tags” were not working properly, I just closed my eyes. Stress was not going to fix this potential debacle. At 4:38, I woke up in front of the Southwest Airlines ticketing door. I have no idea how he got to the airport at least 10 minutes faster than my best time!
When I walked in the terminal I was greeted with a madhouse of travelers trying to catch the first flight out to points in America and the Caribbean. It actually took longer to check my bag than to get through the TSA checkpoint. While sleepily wandering to my gate, I noticed the sister of one of my best friends, Dwayne. Avis and Al were also traveling. They didn’t see me and appeared to be in a hurry, so I didn’t waste any time with pleasantries. This journey did not go without a good deed. Each day I try to make a difference at least once. As I walked toward the gate I looked down and found a boarding pass for a 5:55am flight to Chicago. I took a moment and walked to that area, and called out the name on the ticket. A young lady responded, I handed over the ticket and was on my way.
I boarded my flight for the journey home. On this trip I was flying through Nashville before arriving in Baltimore, a MARC connection, and finally an Amtrak to Williamsburg. Oh yes, also trying to see the kids before heading to my hometown. During the Nashville flight, I sat beside a woman traveling to a “Black Firefighters” event in Detroit. We talked about her career, travels and life in general. The time passed quickly and as I looked up, we were on final approach into Nashville. Transitioning to the next flight happened without incident and I slept most of the flight to Baltimore. I’ve flown to BWI dozens of times since the kids relocated to the area in 2013. It’s tough to describe the feeling when I walk off the aircraft. Likely a reminder of a 4 year long open wound. Reminders of many things, the ghosts of my past. Gathering my bag, I boarded the shuttle to the Amtrak/MARC station. It’s an 11 minute ride, a very quiet transit. Upon arriving at the station, I quickly purchased a ticket to get to Union Station. The Amtrak/MARC Station always has an interesting and diverse group waiting for the train. A mixture of business/tourism and locals all listening to music or glancing off into space. The MARC train arrived on time. It would be 4 stops before Union Station. It’s a 15-20 minute commute, and then the 2 hour wait for the Amtrak train to Williamsburg. Upon arrival in DC, I searched for my favorite bar to plug in my phone and watch the latest saga of our American President on television. That place no longer existed, so I found another. Every place I travel, there appears to be a Houston connection. The bartender dated a 1st Ward guy and knew all the places of H-Town. Time passed quickly and I soon walked out and boarded my train for Williamsburg.
The train ride to Williamsburg is always a time for reflection. Riding past Quantico, Fredericksburg, Ashland, Richmond (2 stops in Richmond) had always been a sign that home was near. As I pulled into the Williamsburg station, I was excited to see my parents. The real journey was just beginning.
Off to see Plunk!
On the Thursday before she was due to be on stage, I get a text from Maddie asking which day was I going to arrive to see her. Clearly, she was making post performance plans. Dinner, shopping and perhaps a movie or two were on her agenda. Madison had 3 performances of this year’s recital called “Bring it On.” Tonja secured tickets for my parents and I on Saturday afternoon, the final show. We arrived shortly before the performance. Our seats were on the floor, 3 rows from the front. It was a perfect vantage point. During previous years, the organizers said no photography. This year, they said no “flash” photography and that was all I needed to hear. When the performance began, I took dozens of pictures whenever I saw her on stage. Of course she was the best person there. What else is a father to say, right? This was year 11 in dance for Madison. Each year, you could see growth and professionalism in her dance. She had evolved from pure ballet during her time in Texas, to tap, modern dance, afro-expressionism and more in Maryland. She was in 7 different routines this year and that includes 7 different costume changes. Maddie was a busy girl.
The final curtain fell. This season was in the books, and I’d dried up most of my tears. I just sat there. My little “topper” girl was developing into quite the young lady. She came out and hugged her daddy. And then said, “I saw you taking my picture. I always find you in the audience every year.” She knows very well that she owns me. She had me at “hi daddy.” After post event flowers, photos and hugs, we loaded Madison into the car for her post performance dinner. This can be anything from a 4 star restaurant to a burger joint. On this day, she selected Buffalo Wild Wings at Laurel Town Center. We ordered dinner and it was all things Madison on this Saturday afternoon. The final check was paid and we headed back to the car. It was then she let me know we would soon be seeing the movie “Everything, Everything..” Kid chick flick. Yeah, I’m that guy. Maddie sat in the front passenger seat and gave directions to get back to her Mother’s home. Another new thing, “Maddie the Navigator.” She used to just sit in the car and text her friends. Plunk’s now telling me where to turn, and I was following her directions without question. I dropped her off and we drove back to Williamsburg as I experienced a similar feeling for the return trip on I-95 south. Regret, sadness would occupy me quietly as I drove. It’s a 4 year long feeling, the wound that I refuse to let heal.
Glenn Jr’s. High School Graduation
Fast forward six days. Paint Branch High School scheduled Commencement Exercises for a Friday morning. The first day of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. We arrived in Maryland from Williamsburg Thursday evening. Along the way, I picked up an Apple Watch for Glenn as a graduation gift. I wanted to purchase a camera, but figured he would enjoy the perks of the watch over an item that likely won’t get much use for several years.
We arrived at our hotel Thursday afternoon and I then went to pick up Glenn Jr. His big graduation party was on Friday evening and I wanted him to have his gift from me before those festivities began. We went to his favorite Caribbean restaurant near his high school for a Jerk Chicken sandwich and then stopped back at the hotel where he unwrapped his present. We then dropped my parents off at a nearby eatery for dinner and then roamed around Silver Spring a bit. Glenn is a very quiet and reflective young man. His transition from Texas resident to Maryland had been difficult but he made it. Through the years he expressed his feelings about his “two worlds” to me, and I’ve honored his trust respected his privacy and will continue doing so. We went to Best Buy where we purchased a scratch proof cover for his watch and then went back to pick up my parents. Originally, they talked about walking back to the hotel. Drenching rain eliminated the walking idea. Dad and Glenn have an ongoing and lively conversation about a missing DVD from Dad’s collection. Listening to them debate the merits of this strengthens their relationship. I never had that kind of relationship with my grandfathers, and it’s wonderful to see. All four of his grandchildren love their “Granddaddy.” I took him back home after an hour or two and then returned to the hotel. Sitting in the lobby, I ordered dinner and watched ESPN while charging my phone.
Graduation: The Day of Days
I woke up on this morning around 5:45am. Anxiety perhaps, but who knows. When the clock hit 7am I called their mom to see when we could pick up graduation tickets. The tough part, only enough seats for immediate family. The Grandfathers on both sides would have to stay home. A tough pill to swallow as both grand dads had been so influential in the growth of Glenn.
Mom and I got to the Tonja’s house at 7:25. Doors and parking for graduation began at 7:45. They live 5 minutes away. The house was a beehive of activity. Family rushed around. Only Maddie appeared to be on the clock. We picked up our tickets to graduation from Tonja and headed out the door. Arriving at Paint Branch High School around 7:40, the line was already 200 deep and growing rapidly. Earlier that morning, the skies opened up with showers. The temperatures were mild, but if the clouds cleared away, sitting outside could turn into a broiler. Maddie, Tonja, Perry and Mrs. Godwin arrived and joined us in line just before the gates to the football stadium opened. The Graduation platform sat on the field, facing the home side of the stadium. The sun, off to our left at about 10pm.
Soon, the band began playing and the faculty and students marched in. We spotted Glenn Jr. walking in. He was scanning the crowd, looking for us. I’m pretty sure he never found us in the crowd. After a plethora of speeches, they began calling names. First, the 4.0 scholars, then the women graduates. Finally, the men.
We heard the name, “Glenn Jones, Junior” called, and our little cheering section erupted with screams and applause. I snapped away, capturing the moment. At the same time, tears streamed down my cheeks. This was a long time coming. At that moment, I turned and shook Perry’s hand, thanking him for being good to my kids.
The rest of the program moved along in a blur and finally they marched out. One chapter of his life closed, well almost. He had a state track meet the next day. As the stream of graduates passed behind the stadium, I wandered in searching for Glenn. Finding him, Glenn stood proudly with friends wearing sunglasses and posing for photos. I took dozens of shots here, as friends and families stopped to document this amazing moment in history.
The crowds began to fade, as plans for individual events began to unfold for the hours ahead. Glenn’s party began at 5 (roughly half a day away). Glenn wanted to eat, so after dropping my parents off at the hotel, I rounded him up and we went to a Peruvian eatery called Nando’s Peri Peri. Wearing a Cuba shirt from my recent trip, Glenn was quiet and measured during our drive over to Laurel town, asking me “I know how I feel about the friends I made in Maryland, but I wonder what they think of the guy they met 4 years ago?” A chapter in his life was closing and he clearly was reflecting on the impact of his friends on his life. We talked about a series of topics and eventually ended up back at the hotel, where Glenn quickly fell asleep. The adrenalin rush was wearing off and he crashed.
Family and Fun: The Graduation Party
We arrived at the family home shortly before 5. One of Glenn’s best friends, Jordan was waiting for him. They’d met shortly after Glenn moved to Maryland in 2013. He called Glenn his “best friend,” and the feelings appeared mutual. Family and friends quickly flooded the home. The food was amazing and the company quickly meshed. It’s unfortunate that these types of large fun events are rare. Madison was also having fun as her best friends came to the party and she was holding court in the family room and later in the living room.
The party went from evening until late into the night. I took my parents home around 9 and returned to the party. There, I went downstairs to the basement area of the home. Here, the graduated had taken over this area and several fierce games of Jenga were underway. Glenn’s friends shortly began leaving, as other parties were also ongoing and the guys were heading to those. But some were going home to prepare for the state track meet the following day at Morgan State University in Baltimore.
Off to the Races
Glenn qualified for the 300m hurdles at the Maryland track finals. The last event of his career, it was wonderful to watch my son finish strong like he started. Many don’t know that Glenn was born 3 months early, weighing just over 3 pounds, and spent his first month struggling to breath in a Neonatal Intensive Care unit. He has exceeded ALL expectations. Shortly after dropping off my parents at the Amtrak station at BWI, I drove to Baltimore to see Glenn’s race. In a text, he said his event was slated to happen around 1:30. If all went well, I would make it to the college with about 10-15 minutes to spare.
The event was packed (which was no surprise) and upon entering I heard the last call announcement for the 300m hurdles. Groups 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a (men and women) would race, meaning I had at least a 45 minute wait to see Glenn. About this time, it began raining. It was a slow chilling drizzle, which is pretty common on the east coast. About 5 minutes before his race, the rain began to fizzle out. I got closer to the track to watch his race. I heard the announcer say, “Paint Branch, lane 5” The gun sounded and they were off. I captured about 10 shots of him running. The race ended and so was his scholastic career as a runner. He sent me a text, saying he was ready to go home. And, 20 minutes later we were in the car heading south on I-95.
We got lost getting him a late lunch. Wait, I got lost getting him lunch. I think he was enjoying our time together and didn’t seem to mind. He was heading out to graduation parties for the evening, and while I miss and cherish our time together, this was HIS weekend. The kind that will never come again. I wanted him to savor every moment.
Maddie and the Movies
As I dropped Glenn off, Topper had her own designs for a Maddie/Daddy Saturday evening. She gave me a hug and said “let’s go.” We were off. Initially, we drove in the direction of Montgomery Mall, a high fashion destination near Bethesda. Because of time constraints, we ended up going downtown to Silver Spring to shop, dine and catch the movie, “Everything, Everything.”
Forever 21 apparently is Maddie’s “spot” for shopping. I enjoyed following her around as she tried to decide what she wanted. We were in the store for probably an hour or so. While shopping, she was also in a “snapchat” conversation with her closes friends. Here, she was sending them photos of potential buys and then getting their opinions. This went on for some time. Finally, with selections in hand we waited in line for Maddie to try on said items. 2 tops and a necklace, $28.00. Not bad, as I was expecting the tally to at least be triple the amount. I rushed out before she could change her mind.
Maddie wanted breakfast for dinner. We walked over to a favorite breakfast eatery, Eggspectation and of course the place was almost empty. She ordered bacon, eggs & pancakes. I had a cup of coffee.
Movie time. We walked over to Regal Cinema Silver Spring, to purchase tickets for the 7pm show. Sitting down at 7:07, we had at least 20 additional minutes of previews before the feature presentation. The movie? It was a tear jerker. Maddie read the book and was prepared for the dramatic surprise that happens near the end of the film. I sat stunned as she said, “Daddy, you didn’t see this coming?” I had no words. We walked out, bumping into Perry’s brother Marc and his children. Maddie wanted Ben & Jerrys, which she of course got and we headed back to her house. I dropped her off and returned to the hotel. There, I sat in the lobby and watched television and my mind drifted to the events over the last week. The past 6 days of my life was a roller coaster of emotions.
Next, a brief “Accidental Tourist” visual tour of Williamsburg’s historic Triangle,
Thanks for reading and tell someone you love them. It’s possible you’ll make their day.
(Suggested websites)
https://www.nandosperiperi.com/
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/paintbranchhs/
https://www.regmovies.com/theaters/regal-majestic-stadium-20-imax/10848
The prices start at $59.99 for a 20-page book...
