Everything happened as it was meant to. I called Delta to change my flight, and was told that I could book standby if I called at 3:05 in the morning, which was exactly three hours before the flight that I wished to take. I called at 3, and it was too early, so the representative and I waited on the phone for five minutes, before we started the process. I was put on hold to talk to 'a manager' and the phone died. When I called again and pressed one button after another to get to a human, I was told the reservation was already in the system and that I had to get to airport and pay the $50 change fee. So, having not slept, I threw my things together and made my bed, shut off the cats from the bedrooms, and left the house. Driving at 3 am is uncomplicated, except that there were many police about. A car was crashed upside down on North Avenue under an underpass, and ambulances and poise were attending to the damage. I hoped that I was driving smoothly and would not be pulled over.
The airport was surprisingly full of people. I got my boarding passes and no one asked for the $50 so I did not volunteer it. Security was busy, but when I got to the front of the line and objected to the new radiation machine, instead of subjecting me to a body search, the TSA employee just shrugged his shoulders and claimed not to be in the mood to argue, so I escaped a little extra radiation for the day. My plane was delayed because apparently it was too warm for human taste. I had to give up my carry on but n lithium batteries were allowed in the hold, so I carried my iphone and ipad and computer with me. Having not slept all night, I was out until Detroit. Once landing, I received a message from Delta telling me that I was no longer able to take the 8:47 flight and would be moved to a later flight, but when I presented my 'seat request' to the representative at my gate, I was sent away 'until I am ready'. I did get a seat and arrived at Traverse City on the plane that I was to take, but it was too late to get to Maya's concert at 11:00 AM. I pushed through anyway, not asking many questions at the rental car counter, hardly checking what I signed, driving blindly and quickly to Interlochen, which felt so very far away. I found Grunow Hall, but the concert was over and the performers were taking photos. Maya was thrilled to see me, busy with photos and congratulations. The next thing I knew, she was getting her quartet together to perform a second time, my own private concert!
It was wonderful to see Maya, so happy, so full of joy and curiously mature compared to three weeks ago. She held my hand so tightly, and showed me her cabin and her cafeteria. I paid $9 for rather horrible food, which she has been eating with gusto for the three weeks here (and has grown since the last time I saw her!). She had a practice to go to, so I left her to try to find lodging for the night. When I looked online, there was nothing available. I was incredibly lucky to find a room at the 'Stone Hall', which works as a hotel for parents and students. Unfortunately it was too late to cancel my hotel for Sunday night. It would be easier to stay in the same place for ht two nights I felt very lucky. I had been planning to sleep in my car, and therefore expecting a second night of sleeplessness.
I was ready for Maya's orchestra concert, but fell asleep for the parts that she did not participate in. I was impressed that in three weeks, these children had put together a rather amazing performance. I sent Maya off to dinner with her friends. We were to meet for a dance performance, but weather forced a change in venue, which could not accommodate too many audience members, so I found myself wandering around the extensive campus, listening to orchestras, operas, singers, individuals practicing their piano, horns, violins etc. Music was everywhere! My senses were stimulated, my ears indulged, my soul recharged. What a wonderful place to be.
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