A little Background : Every year, since moving to California in 1999, my Nan would come visit us for Christmas. However, slowly over the years she had started losing her memory. In 2006 my Aunt told us that she would not be able to make the flight by herself. I was selected to fly to England and then fly back to California with her. After two weeks of being in England it was time for us to board the plane and head over for Christmas. This is where my story begins. . .
My Uncle worked for British Airways and was able to get us upgraded to club world! This meant our seats reclined into beds and we could raid the cupboard full of chocolate. It was AMAZING!! (That is if you aren't flying with a lady who is losing her mind.) The 10+ hour journey began with my Nan asking a simple question, where are we going? To which I replied California. I didn't mind answering this question because she was eighty and probably forgot. However, ten minutes later the same question was asked to which I answered again. Then ten minutes later the same question again. It was then I realized that I would probably be answering this question a lot.
As the flight progressed my Nan (who never slept) noticed our seats were facing a bathroom. She would then ask to use the restroom, which was fine apart from our seats were in the middle of the row, so every time she needed the restroom we would have to disturb the nice gentlemen who was enjoying laying down, sleeping. The trips to the bathroom came about every half hour. I would politely inform her that she just used the restroom, but because she couldn't remember I had to take her again. We had to disturb the nice gentlemen again and again and again.
The worst part of the flight came when my Nan woke me up in tears because she had no idea where she was or why she was there. She didn't know where she was going and it honestly freaked me out. I had to calm her down and inform her we were going to spend Christmas with Wendy and the kids. She would then settle back down. This happened a few times but she always settled down pretty quickly.
By the time our flight came into land, I was done! I deserved an award for what I just went through. We got of the plane and started walking towards the exit. We did have to take a break and fetch my Nan a wheelchair because it was a long walk. We then arrived at customs. My EIGHTY year old Nan, who had overstayed her visa a few visits ago, was then wheeled in her WHEELCHAIR to secondary immigration. (I went with her of course)
After 10+ hours on a plane, I then had to spend 2+ hours in secondary immigration with my Nan who kept telling me that my Mum was right through that door over there. I honestly can not tell you how many times she told me that and after 2+ hours I lost it and just started crying. This was by far the longest flight of my life. Thankfully, the guy sitting next to us convinced the (stupid) immigration people that we needed to be pushed up in the line. Her name was then called and without saying a word to us, they stamped her passport and let us go.
We then walked up the ramp to my Mum and Dad. It was finally over!
As I look back on this experience, I can actually laugh about it. I miss my Nan more than I could ever describe. She would do anything for her family. I am so grateful that I was able to spend two weeks in England with her before we flew to California. It honestly was a miracle she was even a loud to fly. A year later, I was able to enjoy club world by myself although a part of me wished she was with me.
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