Michael and Beth's Blog

This afternoon as I drove home from my 1:30pm meeting off of Northshore, I realized that Beth needed to come home early from work. There had been a persistent light snow ever since just after lunch time, and with it having been below freezing for the past seven days, it was starting to accumulate, especially on the roads. I called Beth as soon as I parked the car.

Before I could say, “Honey, you need to get home,” she said, “I’m getting ready to leave. Everybody has been calling the office.” Beth and I figured that she’d at least get to her parent’s house to pick up Ella. Then, if they needed a ride home, I could go and pick them up.

Only minutes later, Beth called. She was in stop-and-go traffic and asked if I could pick up Ella. I was in motion with no need for any further explanation. As I drove, I went slow keeping my car in first and second. It wasn’t that much snow, but the roads were starting to get covered. My normal eight minute trip took twice the time.

Over at Nana’s, Claire’s dog, Sam, greeted me at the door. Nana had Ella ready to go. However, before we could leave, Claire wanted to get a nice picture with Ella as she is headed back to Notre Dame tomorrow. I snapped a series of shots in the kitchen. We were able to easily coax a couple of smiles from Ella. Claire was pleased.

Back in the car, my hands were glued to the wheel and my eyes were fixed on the road. I was transporting precious cargo in fairly bad driving weather. Ella didn’t make a sound. Midway through the trip, I had time to glance back and see Ella sleeping soundly in her cap underneath two cozy blankets.

We pulled into the garage, and I exited the car like a mouse. Ella’s eyes fluttered open slightly as I gently lifted her car seat into my arms. At the door, I set half of the seat on the step balancing the other half against my leg while I opened the door. Despite the squeaking hinges, she hardly stirred. Still in her car seat, I carried her back to her room and placed her in the middle of the floor.

She continued to nap for the next thirty minutes until after mommy got home. Then she awoke, and mommy and I both went back to get her. She was happy to see us, and I was glad to have our family safely home for a cozy evening.