the broadmoor incident

A couple weeks ago, my whole family went out to lunch. Now to say this was just lunch does TOTALLY not do it justice. But I will explain.

My mom and dad have been married for 40 years. Pretty amazing, considering they've gone through a lot: several houses being built (not at one time), several of my grandparents living with them (not at one time, except for the 6 months of 2 grandmas), my sister's time of being really very sick, a move halfway across the country, and much more. They are awesome parents, and awesome people. Really, I can't say enough about how lucky I am to have them as parents. Garrison Keillor, in one of his books, says that when he was young he visualized how you get matched up with your parents as a big gumball machine in the sky. When your parents become pregnant, whoever is next in line in the gumball machine rolls down the chute and is assigned to them. I am glad I got assigned to them.

Anyway, I digress. 40 years. So, in celebration, my parents took the family out to The Broadmoor. There is a reason for the capitals.

The Broadmoor is a world-famous, five-star resort here in Colorado Springs. It's a beautiful place, nestled at the foot of the Rockies, and is tops in every way you could imagine. The Sunday Brunch (capitals are deserved here also) at The Broadmoor is amazing. There is a whole room of food, all of it great, and much of it not things you eat every day at home. Omelets made per your order. Bananas Foster made for you when you request them. Crepes, yes, made for you as you request. Fruit, breads, meats, desserts, and way too much more to list. My brother-in-law said he went into a food coma that afternoon.

We all had a wonderful brunch, and just an all-around great time.

Here's Mom and Dad, and the dessert that the Broadmoor made for them to celebrate:

So. Great day, great food, great company, and a good time was had by all.

After eating, we headed out toward the car, and the girls all stopped by the Ladies. We were talking and laughing about one time when I wasn't paying attention and tried to wash my hands but dispensed a big glob of lotion instead of soap. All of a sudden we heard a big crash. It sounded like someone's head hitting porcelain. Really hard.

Mom was the only one left in the restroom, and it sounded bad. All three of us gasped.



Silence.



Kerri: "Oh my gosh! (pause) Mom, are you OK?"



Silence.



Kerri, moving closer to the restroom: "Do I need to come in there?"



Silence. Then, very faint sound that might be laughter.



Then gradually getting louder, Mom laughing.



Hmmm...



When she came out of the restroom, laughing, I might add, she pointed at the commode to show us the chip that was taken out of the tank lid. Presumably this happened in the crash, but she was laughing, and couldn't say anything. At this point the other three of us realized that mom was OK, and started laughing as well. When she could breathe again, mom said that she had put her purse on the back of the commode, and when she picked it up the strap caught on the lid and picked it up , only to drop it on the tile floor.

We composed ourselves, and went out into the lobby, where Dad and brother-in-law immediately asked what had happened. Evidently they heard the crash, and then my subsequent "Oh my gosh!" and couldn't figure out what could have caused this in the restroom of The Broadmoor.

Maybe this is why we don't go to fancy places very often...

Anyway, here is a picture of me and mom holding tissues. We were holding tissues because we were laughing so hard that we had tears. Even several minutes later.

So I guess that I want to say that I am very grateful for Mom and Dad. I'm especially grateful that Mom didn't get hurt on this auspicious occasion.

And I'm glad we don't go to The Broadmoor very often, because the plumbing bills would begin to add up after awhile.

K