Whitney Williams - Thanks, unknown La Quinta

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Tuesday, November 30th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Nick Eicher.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. Here’s WORLD commentator Whitney Williams on the love of grandparents.

WHITNEY WILLIAMS, COMMENTATOR: When I’m traveling for work, my grandparents want to know all of the details: “I’m staying at a La Quinta in Houston,” I tell them over the phone. “Which one?” they ask, telling me how much they enjoy La Quintas, because they allow pets. “I don’t know,” I tell them. “I’m driving and can’t recall the street name. It’s next to a big highway,” I offer. “Oh, what highway?” my grandmother asks. “I don’t know.” I say. “I just hit ‘go’ on my GPS and don’t ask questions.” “Is the hotel in a safe area?” she asks. “I don’t know,” I say. “I’m not familiar with Houston. … It has a fence around it,” I chuckle. “Well, how do you get in if it has a fence around it?” my grandmother asks, concerned. “Well, there’s an opening in the fence where you drive into the parking lot.” I explain. “What airport did you fly into?” my grandmother asks. I try to be patient and remind myself how blessed I am at 34 years of age to have living—and extremely loving—grandparents. “The bigger airport in Houston,” I answer, not being able to recall the name. I tell them I’m heading to a lunch meeting and that I have a dinner meeting later that night. “I guess you won’t be back to the hotel before dark.” my grandmother comments. I suddenly realize I’ve missed my exit and sigh internally. “Probably not,” I say.

A few hours later, my phone rings again. My grandparents have their La Quinta magazine laid out on the dining table and they’re trying to figure out which one I might be staying at. I’m driving again. “They love you,” I tell myself, taking a deep breath as I swing my rental car into a Jack in the Box parking lot so I can open up my Priceline email and give them details.

Later that night, I call to let them know I made it back to the hotel. My grandpa answers and we have a long, bittersweet conversation. What that 85-year-old man says breaks my heart: “I don’t know why I’m still around.” he tells me. I immediately feel guilty about my earlier irritation over their questioning. “Can I come visit y’all and bring the boys next week?” I ask. I can sense my grandpa’s delight through the phone and smile.

AUDIO: [Sound of walking outside, boys seeing tent, grandpa helping them set it up...]

That next Wednesday, my three boys and I make the hour-and-a-half long trek to my hometown. My grandmother cooks, dotes, and apologizes for my grandpa’s reminiscing, and my grandpa gifts my boys with a two-man Army tent circa WW1. His parents had gifted it to him and his brother when they were little boys. As I watch my sons delight over their new old tent, I soak in my wonderful, loving grandparents and thank God for the unknown La Quinta that made the day possible.

I’m Whitney Williams.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.