A CASE OF THE BLUES

I have a case of the blues. I’d started out so well with my plans to post a blog once a week, but, like most great ideas and resolutions, this one probably lasted about as long. As I pondered my blues baggage, I was prompted to finish this story that I’d started far too long ago.

The story began as “Last week I went to purchase . . . .”, but realizing six weeks have passed since that beginning, I now rephrase and start again.

Seven weeks ago, I went to purchase a smaller version of the red case I’d recently bought for the Florida Christian Writers Conference. Immediately, I found the perfect match―same shade, same fabric and, quite obviously, the same brand. A miniature clone!

I was so excited, visualizing my laptop as it rested comfortably in its scarlet bed, nestled amongst conference notes, one-sheets and business cards. This was great―my writing tool would now have wheels! Shirl had advised taking this route to avoid carrying oneself to death with a normal laptop bag. I would be able to literally drag my work along.

My excitement quickly vanished, however, when I lifted the elegant tag that hung loosely on its scarlet spine. I knew the price had to be printed somewhere on that branded cardboard label. I gasped―nearly R700―almost the price I’d paid for its bigger sister. I just couldn’t see myself paying that much for so small a piece of luggage.

Disappointed, my thoughts shifted to the small blue carryon that had come free with the airline ticket on my surprise birthday trip to Switzerland some twelve years ago (see my blog GIRL WITH THE RED CASE SHEDDING EXCESS BAGGAGE). I knew I’d have to use this old bag instead. Fortunately, Blue (as I’ll now fondly refer to my new travelling companion) hasn’t travelled much and I’ve looked after her well.

Merely days after this disappointing shopping excursion, I had to suddenly haul little Blue out of her resting place high up in the garage rafters. An hour after bringing Blue back down to earth, I had her dusted off, packed and ready to travel. We were going to Cape Town.

Life has many twists and turns, and when I penned my short story, The Prodigal’s Mother (posted on my website), I had no idea how radically my little prodigal’s life would change. Just a few weeks after his crazy idea to run off to Canada to follow his dreams, here he and I were, flying off to Cape Town at the drop of a hat, for his interview with the top visual effects company in South Africa. And within twenty-four hours, we had booked airline tickets, flown to Cape Town from Johannesburg, viewed some rental properties, and Kyle had had his interview. Another day later, he had landed his new job and I had found him a new home. I hadn’t seen this coming when he’d quit his job a month earlier.

Five days after returning from Cape Town, I had my prodigal packed up and ready to fly the coop. As father and son set off in Kyle’s tiny black and white Ford Ka, laden to the hilt, to take the 1400km journey to Cape Town, I was grateful to be joining them by air the following evening.

Once again it was a whirlwind weekend of packing and unpacking as we settled Kyle into his gorgeous garden flat with the most amazing view of Table Mountain’s eastern side.

I guess by now you’re wondering what all this has to do with attending a writer’s conference and a case of the blues. It’s all about travel and learning from this journey called life.

Firstly, I discovered that Blue would be a great cabin asset for the long haul to America.

Secondly, I realized that Blue didn’t like to be dragged along and that she suffered from speed wobble spells. I now know that if I do decide to cart her off to America, I’ll have to find some way for her to hitch a ride with the sleek red model I’d recently purchased.

But most of all, I learnt to deal with my case of the blues as I opened my hands and allowed my youngest son to spread his wings and fly. We all have dreams that we must follow―an American Writer’s Conference is one of mine.