Daddy gets the last word

The night before our flight home to New York, I was feeling like a cat in a violin factory. When we touched ground in San Francisco back in June, I had made a mental note never to get on a plane again. The turbulence and tight quarters had left me rattled, and I resolved to spend three months figuring out some other way to get home, even if it meant hopping on board a freight train with a can of beans in a bandana suspended from a stick. Now here I was getting ready for a 6 o'clock in the morning flight with no small measure of trepidation.

Daddy was more than a little bit surprised when I revealed my misgivings to him [I had not let on before], but there was nothing he could do. Eight expensive, non-refundable tickets had been purchased, and nine Gunthers would be 30,000 feet in the air the next day. There was no way around it.

Last minute packing and tidying was keeping me busy during those final hours, and I walked around our beloved San Francisco House saying a silent goodbye to every crevice and corner, trying to memorize the feel of the fabric under my fingertips, the old-time smell of gasoline emanating from the furniture, and the glint of streetlights filtering through the lace paneled curtains. A last minute drawer inspection revealed a holy card of Our Lady of Loreto. I smiled to myself, glad we did not leave this image of Our Lady behind--she was beautifully depicted holding her infant Son before the house in Nazareth and bourne along by two angels. The vaguest of all recollections returned to me, and I remembered one of the children asking for the card at the Mission San Rafael months ago. I flipped the picture over and found a prayer which, under the circumstances, took my breath away. It was entitled, "Our Lady of Loreto, protect my flight":

Our Lady of Loreto,
benevolent patroness of aviators,
protect and guide me on my flight.

Look upon me with your gentleness, O Mary,
and upon all I travel with.

Shelter us from harm,
Blessed Mother,
and lead us safely
to our destiny.

Amen.

The Blessed Mother is not slow to let us know she is caring for us, sometimes even before we remember to ask for her help. I offered the prayer to her with all my heart and impulsively posted it to the Cottage of Loreto Novena group, knowing the good people there would not mind this unusual personal request.

Planning to leave the house by three in the morning, Daddy and I did not sleep at all that night, and before we knew it, we were waking the children--all groggy eyed and fully dressed--and loading them into the big white van for the last time. In keeping with our theme of "San Francisco Serendipity," there was a lunar eclipse that night. We watched the moon turn from gold to crimson, waxing low on the horizon like a dull setting sun.

By the time we returned the van to Hertz and made our way through some exceedingly tight security, we arrived at our plane with--I kid you not--four minutes to board. Although the airline had assured us of the high likelihood of sitting together when we purchased the block of eight tickets, all the assigned seats were individual. Even three year old Maureen was sitting on her own in a middle seat between two adults. Complicating the arrangement further, Eileen and I were bumped up to first class, leaving Daddy and the children to their own devices and dotted all around Coach.

Although this sounds like a recipe for disaster, the flight went remarkably well (for all of us). Gazing out the window at the vastness of our beautiful country, I was completely at peace, interested in everything and not the least bit on edge. My "fear of flying"--something that has caused me to avoid air travel for almost ten years--evaporated like morning dew, and I knew it was thanks to Our Lady of Loreto and the prayers of the Novena group. [So complete was my transformation that I was already thinking about taking the children to Ireland, something that never even occurred to me before.] In my mind's eye, I pictured angels, just like the ones in the holy card, ushering the plane to Kennedy Airport under the watchful eye of Our Lady and her Son.

Happily settled at home the next day, Daddy and I went out to dinner for the first time since leaving New York all those months before. We talked about so many things by the flickering candlelight that night, the vivid memories of San Francisco still more real to us than Long Island in some ways. From a speaker in the distance, Frank Sinatra was crooning "Luck be a Lady Tonight," barely audible over the din of patrons chattering at the bar. Our check paid and two side by side coffee cups almost empty, we were just about to leave, when Frank's voice mellowed into the familiar standard, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." We lingered at the table a moment, listening to lyrics we never truly understood before, but now could have written ourselves:

"I left my heart in San Francisco, high on a hill it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars.
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care.

I left my heart in San Francisco . . . ."

With that, Daddy reached across the table and squeezed my hand, saying in his solid, earnest way, "I brought mine home with me."

That was almost a week ago now, but I don't think the smile has left my lips since.

Comments

[Mariposa]

Happy to hear that you all made it back safely.

I always bring my St. Christopher prayer but I have to write this one down because it is perfect. I am terrified to fly, and we fly fairly often, and I deliberately put off trips when I can.

I Left My Heart in San Francisco is one of my favorite songs, Tony Bennett’s version, for various reasons. Both my husband and daughter are native Californians.

[Christine M]

Welcome home!

[Ana Braga-Henebry]

Oh, Alice, I love this post so much, and for so many different reasons. But most of all the found-the-last-minute holy card. It would make sense, being O.L. of Loreto. I too dream of never stepping on a plane again. Alas, I have fmaily in Brazil...

[Barbara]

I hope that you are all happy to be home again. And now you have a place you will always want to return to.

[Mary Ellen Barrett]

He's a keeper!

[Jennie C.]

Oh, how sweet! And welcome home, Alice.

[Genevieve]

Our husbands always seem to know what to say, don't they? I'm smiling here with you.

[Cay]

I've been thinking about you all and praying. I haven't flown since high school but, if I ever get on a plane flight again, I'm going to print this and put it in my purse to read and reread.

I loved the ending. How perfect. :)

[Love2learn Mom]

How lovely Alice!

I hate flying too, though we've had to do a lot of it with family spread all over the place and we've had the same problem with the isolated seats and bumps into first class (after several hops like this, we realized that we could generally trade a first class seat with someone sitting next to one of the kids thus bumping more of us together).

Glad it turned out so well for you! I'm so glad that my kids and my husband love flying, though.

I so enjoyed meeting you all at your lovely San Francisco House. Please say hello to your dear children for me.

[Beck]

This post is just wonderful, Alice!
And I'm so glad that you're home safe and sound.

[Rebecca]

Doesn't arriving home feel so wonderful after a long trip?

I'm so happy to hear the story of the intercession of Our Lady of Loreto. I am going to copy that beautiful prayer for the next time that I need to fly.

[Amy]

Welcome home Alice! I am so glad you are back safe and sound. Thank you for sharing this wonderful, beautiful story, dear!!

[clarice]

Oh that brought tears to my eyes. What an absolute magical summer you have had. Although I have to say being away from ones home for 3 months is a big deal and you have handled it brilliantly my dear. I am so glad you went to SF for you have brought back many a childhood memory form me. Love Clarice

[Leona]

What a wonderful post!
You HAVE to take the family to Ireland. I got married there yesterday a year ago and am very homesick right now. It is truly a magical place. If you decide to go let me know and I will give you my list of must do an see!

[Maria]

A tear-rendering post, Alice...so beautiful!

I miss you all even though we only were together a day on the west coast, I feel as if friends for life were made!

[Lissa]

A big piece of my heart has gone home to New York! But I love, love, love that story. And I love that you had this summer, and that you chronicled the SF adventure for all of us to enjoy. I can't wait to read your Ireland blog... ;)

[Cheryl M.]

Alice, what a beautiful post! Glad you all are home safe and sound. :)

[Erica]

Beautiful! Both you and the story. I knew you would love San Francisco. I am so happy everything went well. Someday we'll meet again on your coast! But...now that flying isn't as much as a problem...San Diego is very nice as well! :) God bless you all!

[KC]

Lovely, lovely post, Alice! Once again, you brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful husband you have there.

[Rachel]

WELCOME HOME!!
**sniff** A lovely post and a wonderful husband :)

[patience]

Alice, you write so beautifully. I'm happy you made it home safely (I fear flying too) and I am in no way surprised by the kind comfort of the Blessed Mother.

[Vicki]

What a beautiful story, and a sweet husband!

[KImberlee]

It is so nice to occasionally get these little comforting confirmations of what we who love you but don't know you IRL hope and suspect: that you did indeed marry a gem of a man who is 'worthy' of our Dear Alice. ;-) Glad you're safe home!

[Kristen Laurence]

Dear Alice, what a beautiful story and a perfect ending. You make ME smile!

We miss you dearly here on the west coast!

[Theresa ♥]

Beautiful post Alice and welcome home.

[Carole ... in the Heartland ... soon Wales]

What a wonderful husband you have! This post brought a tear to my eye ... you write so beautifully and then such a sweet ending. I am so glad that you are back safe and sound. So many thanks to Our Lady of Loreto!

[Margaret in Minnesota]

Welcome home, dear Alice. Do you not think, having gone through all of this, that our dear blessed mother is the true author of all things serendipitous?

PS. And all things considered, being bumped up to first class--just you and your precious bundle--is not so bad. ;)

[Meredith]

Oh Alice you just always know how to say the right things the right way!! God bless you sweet lady, and give your dh a hug, he's quite a guy, not to mention he married quite a woman!! I'm so glad your flight went well...Ireland, go for it!!!

[Diane]

What an incredible and blessed journey for your family---from start to finish! Thanks so much for sharing it with us, Alice, in your ever beautiful and inspiring way.

[Mary Beth P]

So glad you made it back safely! I really enjoyed reading about your adventures. You are blessed with beautiful children & a wonderful husband!

[aussieannie]

Alice, Our Lady of Loreto is the perfect patroness for flying...I've been wondering, do you have any of the Loreto Oil that comes from the shrine in Loreto?

[sarah]

So glad you're home safely. Another beautiful piece. Sounds like you had fun together with my Bonny Glen pals. Loved hearing about your travels through San Francisco. We went there on our honeymoon. Carmel is delightful, isn't it? When we return some day with our girls, I hope we can visit some of the tea shops you mentioned.

[Lynn]

I knew our Lady would get you Gunthers home safely. I'm very happy to hear your home safe and sound. I'll bet the cottage is smiling.
xxoo

[Heather - NY]

All I can say is WOW!!!
You have a great guy. Definitely a keeper!!!

[Lorraine]

what's this I read about an Ireland blog Lissa let out of the bag ;)

patiently waiting xoxox

[Jane Ramsey]

Awwww....what a sweet hubby!
Welcome home, Alice! I'll miss reading about your SF adventures, but I'm sure there will be much more to smile about, cry over, and delight in, in your own beautiful cottage!

[Margaret]

What an abslutely lovely post. You are truly such a beautiful family. Thank you so much; you have touched my life in so many ways.

[Jean]

Alice, I read this post the night before I leave NZ to fly to Michigan - 17 hours flying! Then we fly to England and our flight from there to NZ is 25 hours non stop!! And I hate flying. I'm trusting in God to get me through it. He's even up there above the clouds. Your post gave me courage. Thank you.