Morning glories!
Yup, it’s that time again. Time for “Little Letters, 04.2018”. And much like last month’s post, here, today’s notes are more gratitude than grumble! Have found that using these letters to vent is very therapeutic. And they can be equally wonderful for a quiet celebration. Glad you are here to join me. Shall we jump right in?
Little Letters, 04.2018
Grumbles
Dear Holiday Inn, Dallas Market Center,
My sister and I recently stayed with you for several days while attending the Texas Library Association’s annual conference. According to your map, the convention center where the conference was being held was only a short 2.6 miles from the hotel. However, we attempted to walk it the first afternoon we were in town. Had to give up after walking little more than a mile in close to 90 minutes time. Not sure how you calculated the distance but it certainly didn’t jibe with what Google maps showed us. We finally gave up and took a shuttle back to the hotel. Thinking it might be time for you all to break out a new pedometer.
Signed,
#blistersonmyfeet, #mydogswerebarking #thelongestmile
Dear Extended Stay America, Ft. Worth, Texas,
My daughter Brennyn sold her home in mid-March and moved into your hotel to live until her new home is finished and ready for move in. We selected Extended Stay based on our experience with this chain in the past, and the handy location of this particular hotel to my granddaughter’s school and Brennyn’s work. My sister and I recently stayed there for a weekend, too, while visiting Brennyn and Cady. The hotel is in dire need of updating and refurbishing, especially in the plumbing department as every faucet leaked streams of water. The heater (it was unseasonably cold) in our room did not work. There were bags of trash piled all over the floor beside the community trash can in the stair well. The bath tubs were so grimy, that I scrubbed them myself with Ajax. And the grout so black with mold that Brennyn’s fiance regrouted the tub and lavatory in her unit. Extended Stay is a name I had previously associated with quality and affordability. While the beds were very comfortable, that won’t be enough to persuade us to stay with you again.
Signed,
#theresnoplacelikehome, #dripdripdrip #usealittleelbowgrease
Gratitude
Dear Dr. Emil, Rheumatologist, University Of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque,
Thank you for your genuine interest in my daughter. After accompanying Lauren to her appointment today, I feel much relief that her health issues are being well addressed by you. Thank you for indulging my questions, for taking time to explain things, and for connecting her to other specialists who will help you determine a definitive diagnosis. My baby is in good hands. And now we know why, in the grand scheme of things/life, Lauren and Francisco wound up in Albuquerque. It is here that she is finally getting some answers.
Gratefully,
#thankfulmom, #takecareofmybaby, #onceamomalwaysamom
Dear Parveen and Mashgan,
Thank you for the beautiful bridal shower you put together for Brennyn and Mustafa. The table and decorations were lovely, the food was delicious and everyone seemed to have fun playing the games you organized. Most of all, thank you for so warmly welcoming my baby into your family. It is so hard to live so far away from my baby, and to be unable to be there when she needs help. I am grateful that she has all of you nearby to love and support her in my stead.
With love,
#thankfulmom, #Afghanfoodisdelicious, #onceamomalwaysamom
Dear Mimi Val,
Thank you for loving our grandbabies so well. I appreciate your help on Cady’s recent school project and your concern for Lucia when she has been sick. I love co-grandmothering with you. And both little ones love you, too.
Your sister,
#granddaughterlove, #meowmeowweasel, #AlexanderGrahamBell
Dear McDonald’s Employee in Socorro, New Mexico,
Today I stopped by your restaurant for a quick lunch to-go on my drive home from Albuquerque. When I pulled up to the drive through, a young man greeted me to say that the power was out in the store and all over the small town. But he invited me to pull ahead where one of his fellow employees was offering free food. A young girl walked up to the passenger side of my car asking if I would like a bag with French fries and apple pies. What an unexpected kindness. I have saved the pies for my Prince, who loves them. But I nibbled on the fries most of the rest of the drive home.
Hungry customer,
#freefries #unexpectedkindess #piesforPC
I am always grateful when these posts roll around and I have to struggle to think of a grumble to include. Guess, I could have a “Little Letters” post without a single complaint. Might try that next month.
Your Turn
If you were writing a little letter this month, to whom would it be addressed? Do you have a grumble or gratitude to share in a comment below? Be sure to stop by to read Kristen’s “Little Letters, 04.2018” post, too!
I am back home tonight after a quick trip to Albuquerque. My youngest daughter is struggling with a very serious disease and I went up to accompany Lauren and her husband to a doctor’s appointment. Sometime in a future post, I will share a little more about her illness as we learn a little more. It is very rare, with only 5 in 1 million people diagnosed with it. Prayer warriors, please keep Lauren, Francisco and baby Lucia in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you!
Hugs and kisses,
Gail
Very interesting letters- you should send then too, particularly the extended stay place! Sorry to hear about Lauren, it sounds as if she is in good hands.
Laura
Wow! I am shocked at how bad the extended stay was! Hopefully they clean up their act soon (literally)!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey, Laura! I have heard both good and bad about Extended Stay but up until recently, my experiences had been very good. Lots of reports about bed bugs, soiled sheets in a supposedly clean room, and that people using government issued vouchers are living in these hotels on the government dime. Had never heard of that before.
Whitney @ Whitney à la mode
Aww, how lovely that you get along so well with the other grandma! Your grandbabies are lucky to have you in their life! And that extended stay place sounds absolutely disgusting! Were you able to complain to management or write a review online??
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey Whit! I have complained online and on the phone about the Extended Stay. All of a sudden a FB thread is appearing on my timeline with all kinds of complaints about Extended Stay. Bed bugs, filthy linens in supposedly clean rooms. Very questionable ‘guests’ loitering in the lobby day and night. So sad because we had always had good experiences until now.
Thank you so much for the sweet comments. I love being a grandma and highly recommend it. As a child, we lived very far away from my grandmothers, and I never knew my grandfathers. Hoping that I can maintain close relationships with my grandbabies forever.
jodie filogomo
This is such a great read, Leslie!! And there’s good and bad in every day and event—it’s truly how we perceive and what we choose to focus on.
You have to wonder if the 2.6 miles was calculated as the crow flies…ha ha. Too bad you didn’t have wings. But at least you were together and made a fun time of it.
And what great customer service to the McDonalds? How impressive!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You know, Jodie, I was thinking that 2.6 miles must have been measuring as the crow flies, too, leaping tall buildings in a single bound. No, wait, that’s Superman, not a crow. But anyway, we sure could have used wings or a cape.
I have eaten more than my share of McD’s this month being away from home. My body is going through withdrawal this week as I wean myself off.
Cindi
Sorry to hear about your youngest daughter. She is in my nightly prayers.