Story Weekend: Day Off
Do you have a story from an unexpected day off? Snow day or sick day or ??? Tell us about it!
If you’re new to Story Weekend, here’s how it works: I pick a theme and you share something from your life that relates to that theme, however you interpret it. Thanks to all of you who’ve contributed. As always, there are a few “rules”:
▪ The story must be true
▪ Try to keep it under 100 words. Embrace the challenge! That’s about six or seven lines in the comment form. I want others to read your story, and most people tend to skip if it’s too long. I know how tough it is to “write tight” but I hope you’ll accept this as a challenge.
I am not sure if this actually is classed as a ‘Day Off’ but… My family is spread about all over not only the UK but also New Zealand and California. As usually happens with families we rarely see each other. When Grandad was alive he would pay for a party for his birthday and invite the whole family to a venue at his expense. Since he died the only time we have all been together is for funerals. Via FB one day my cousin said lets get together and another cousin and myself agreed to ‘do it’ and so was born the Burkinshaw Family Reunion 2015 a fabulous event attended by 55 members of the family. 6 months in the planning it was an exercise in communication and contribution. An unforgettable day expecially for the elder members who may have never seen their siblings otherwise.
In 1982, I was in a serious relationship. That summer he went on a long hiking trip. Once on my days off, I drove up to spend a couple of days with him. My car had problems so I drove Jim’s truck. What made it crazy though was that the truck’s windshield wipers weren’t working – in summer in the southeastern US. When I needed to drive home to work that night, it rained all day. I called in “sick” because I couldn’t drive home without wipers. It was months before I heard the end of that at work! LOL We enjoyed having another day together, but it was a legitimate problem!
“It’s snowing,” Brian said and I felt the usual sense of exhilaration. He, on the other hand, was dreading the thought of the additional work ahead – he’s a dairy farmer. Downstairs, having a cup of tea, I was struck by an idea. I emailed the features editor of the Daily Telegraph and suggested I do a piece on farming in the big freeze. She was interested and a fizz of excitement and adrenaline fizzed in me all day. About 4pm I finally sat down and wrote it. The editor liked it and thus I had my first piece accepted by a broadsheet. A day off work, being in the right place at the right time and – for once – seeing a golden opportunity. We had a trip to our local town on the tractor as well…..doesn’t get much better.
With a husband like mine , love him as I do ,escaping from Camping Los Gallardos is a challenge.We live in a mobile home in a Spanish desert. My better half enjoys his reclining chair , his TV snooker and his Soberano (brandy) , given his 78 years that’s allowable . Friday was different , having to visit the city of Almeria for an eye scan was my excuse for a long day away , suggesting we take the bus to save his driving. I knew the few buses back meant we would have a few hours to while away. An adventure opportunity ! A taxi to a shopping mall was put into action before there was time for protest. What a joy! He was trapped ,shops upon shops. Now I’ve discovered the railway station is next to the bus station his next eye scan is eagerly awaited .