My plane landed in Philadelphia about 30 minutes before the expected time. The first real cool front had dipped into the South and the tailwind was a real kick in the tail so to speak. I was happy and don’t remember too many airline flights in my life where I landed 30 minutes early. It was only 8:00am so the City of Brotherly Love was barely stirring. There was a cool, crisp feel in the air and my Columbia brand black fleece was the ticket for staying comfortable. I got my rental car in a fairly uneventful manner and even tried to sell my two tickets to the Eagles game that mom and I had planned to attend but were now unable to attend. The Enterprise car rental guy took my number and I told him I would sell both for 125 total. He said it was still early and he would do his best. I thought, “Early! It’s 8:30 on game day and the game starts at 1:00pm, really?!?!” More on the tickets later.
The ride from the Philadelphia Airport to my mom’s apartment in Willow Grove is one that I will long remember. Knowing the area very well left me wondering if I would take the Schuylkill Expressway to the Turnpike or just take the Blue Route to the Turnpike or even instead, make a leisurely ride through Philadelphia. I chose the latter. If nothing else I was able to save a few dollars on tolls but more importantly I was able to take the Schuylkill Expressway, cross the historic river and then reminisce over the fond memories of growing up on the edge of the city in the town called King of Prussia.
The ride from the airport along the river was amazing. It was clear, blue sky. The famous Boathouse Row universities (Penn, Drexel, etc) houses looking as colorful and beautiful as I always remembered them. Then, I took the bridge across the river and traversed the hills of Manyunk and then made my way through Wissahickon, Wyndmoor, Philadelphia neighborhoods and even into the gas station where they told me there was no public restroom. I thought to myself, “Really?” I got over that and held it in until I could get to a gas station that had one.
Along the way I passed recreational football teams of young kids actually playing football on Sunday morning. I don’t remember my team (King of Prussia (KOP) Indians) ever playing on Sunday morning. Anyway, they were playing and it was a great sight to see. I passed our KOP rivals of Wissahickon, Roxborough, Wyndmoor, Cheltenham, Roslyn and then Glenside. I know that mom reminisces about those days too. Dad would as well if he were still alive. The memories of sticky buns, pizza, weigh-ins, and being my with siblings (Mark played and Wendy and Linda cheered) are good.
Now, back to the Eagles game and time with mom. Well, I had lots of people contact me about buying the tickets for the Eagles/Rams game but no one took the plunge. 9:30am rolled around and I decided to check with my nephews and sure enough one of them could use the tickets. As it turned out it was his first ever Eagles game. I could not have hoped for a better outcome if mom and I could not make the game. Mom and I watched the game and I know that it was easier for her to do so than trek the parking lot and stairs of Lincoln Financial Field. Even better yet the Birds beat the Rams 34-28 but not before almost giving the game away, ala the USC Gamecocks (that’s another story!).
So, life is all about making memories, building and sustaining relationships with family and doing one’s part to help people deal with life’s transitions and challenges. I am far from perfect and most certainly, just trying to be a good son and a good brother to my siblings. I will let all of them decide on that.
Finally, the rolling hills and historic homes and even the messy, sometimes dirty city of Philadelphia is full of life. It is in the heart of the once Middle Colonies, rooted in deeply held religious traditions like The Friends (Quakers), Judaism, and Catholism for the most part with an occasional Bible church and Presbyterian church sprinkled into the neighborhoods. It is rich in history where people stay and never move away just like mom who has been there her entire 75 years. It is home to her and my former home. It is filled with great pizza shops and Tastykakes galore. There are rabid sports talk radio shows (WIP 94 FM) and even historic rock and roll stations (93.3 WMMR) that are still working.
The new part is mom’s transition to senior care and transitioning to a new apartment closer to my sister. Eventually it will be all good. Mom is happy. Mom is slowing down yet the best of Philadelphia and her life is held deep in our hearts. Hopefully, some good days are ahead for her and for us as her family. As people say down south, “Can’t complain!”
A Prayer: Dear God: Thank you for family. Help me to be a blessing and to do my best to help. Amen.
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