from shirley's cottage

The Flood and Graduation

You would think a story about New Orleans, flooding , and getting to a graduation would be about Hurricane Katrina. Not this time.
This graduation was years ago. Our son was graduating from Tulane University.
His dad and I were not about to miss it. We made our plane reservations. We were also bringing little Teddy, and his two sisters who were visiting both sets of grandparents.
We were to arrive in New Orleans the day ahead, There would be time to visit, help with the preparations for the party, (which was also Teddy’s birthday) and relax a little.
I was looking forward to walking the path on Lake Ponchatrain, which was just a stone’s throw from their home.
We took off for O’Hare with hours to spare before take-off. It had been raining for a day or two. The news talked of some flooding in Chicago. We were not concerned until we got closer to the airport.
One underpass we saw from I-90 was completely flooded and there were several cars-FLOATING. I had never seen anything like it. As we went on, houses were surrounded by water. I was starting to worry.
We kept the radio on, but there was no information about the airport. Until we got to the entrance with hundreds of other cars. We couldn’t go forward or turn around. The airport was closed.
And it just kept raining. Plus, we had three little kids in the car, and nary a cookie to be found.
Finally, the police turned everyone around and headed us back the other way. We finally got to a Burger King with all of the rest of the stranded people. And to an overused pay phone.
To shorten the story, I’ll just say, nine hours after starting out from home, we arrived back: tired, hungry, wet, and heart-broken because our son was going to graduate the next day, without us.
At ten p.m., O’Hare was opened, although it was still raining. Our friends drove us in. At least if we could get a flight, we would be there. We spent the night at the gate, with the kids sleeping on the suitcases.
We did get a flight, hailed a cab, dropped the kids off with the sitter, and took her car to the campus.
Now if I could just remember how to get there, and what building graduation was. Automatic pilot took over and I found it, knowing we were too late.
Here we were, bedraggled in yesterday’s clothes, humidity dripping from my hair, and tears streaming down my face.
We walked into the auditorium. The graduates were receiving their diplomas. I immediately saw Ted, looking at his wife, and shrugging his shoulders, as if to say, "They didn’t make it."
Then his name was announced. He stood tall and handsome, walked across that stage and graduated. And we were there to see it. Boy, was I glad our name started with T instead of A.
I have been to many graduations since then, both family and friends. But none like the one in New Orleans, Louisiana. Which by the way, that day was a beautiful sunny day. Not a drop of rain.
If you have graduation and parties this year, I suggest you just be glad you are there. And enjoy.
If you are bringing something to a graduation party, this is a good appetizer. Easy to make and easy to transport.
Burrito Roll-ups
you will need:
four super-duper extra large burritos (makes about 30-40)
(flavored ones are best- can be found at the end of the aisle by the refrigerated cookie dough at the Pig)
one 8 ounce cream cheese in the package, softened
1 big Tablespoon horseradish
½ pound deli roast beef, sliced thin, not shaved
3 green onions (just the green) chopped
Mix onions and horseradish with cream cheese
Spread on burritos
Lay beef slices ,on top of cream cheese mixture
Roll up burrito
Wrap in foil or plastic wrap
Refrigerate for several hours or overnight
slice on the diagonal about 3/4 inch thick
serve, and enjoy!