Things are going very well on my visit to my parents. I have two more days to enjoy them, and then it's back to the "rat race" of painting rooms, washing clothes, buying groceries, etc. Being with them is like going to an oasis. It is so quiet and peaceful here. It reminds me of what Rose said about how Godless people seek things to fill the void while Godly people are content with the simple things. Here, we just read books and talk quietly. They rarely watch TV, although I think they do when I'm not here.
Dad is doing well. A few timing problems and a few off-the-wall comments one day, but most of the time very coherent and witty. We had a small party for him last Saturday to celebrate his 80th birthday. One of his cousins whom I had never met came from Garland with her daughter (age 53). One of my cousin's daughters (age 42) came from Oklahoma City with her husband. Of course, Cousin Brenda and husband Jim came from Greeley, CO. She met her husband while staying at our house the summer I was 4 years old. Dad performed their ceremony the next summer, and my sister and I were flower girls in the wedding. Mom had the reception at our house in Denver. They are some of our dearest relatives. Since she grew up apart from her father, my Dad was always very special to her. She was such a big help with preparing for, serving, and cleaning up after the party. Her husband is affected with Parkinson's and back problems. It's hard to see him so bent over in only his late sixties, but he still has quite a sense of humor. She is so beautiful and charming despite all the effort she expends caring for him. She thoughtfully wrote out a tribute to Dad, but couldn't read it aloud at the party for fear of crying. Her husband offered to read it for her, but then passed it to the next person when he teared up. Vicki, Mom's sister, was the "lucky one" who read the touching page, and several more of us teared up when she did.
During the past week I had visited with Dad several times and written down some of the facts about his early life. Since he has a hard time verbalizing at times (due to the Parkinson's), I decided to type up those life memories. After lunch and picture time, we made a "game" out of the experience by letting people choose a sheet and read the events of Clancy's life in order. I called it "My Life, So Far" and all 15 of those present got to read something. Sometimes other people would add something that they remembered as we went along. It was a great time. He enjoyed it. We followed that with chocolate cake "inside and out", Blue Bell "homemade vanilla" ice cream, and more conversation.
Most of the guys adjourned to an outdoor shuffle board court, where Todd proceeded to thrash everyone with his pinpoint accuracy. About 5 p.m. we all moved upstairs to the apartment, where we served 11 people with the leftovers. Konni had to head home about 9 p.m., and Brenda and Jim stayed in the reserved apartment nearby while David and the boys and I slept here in Mom and Dad's apartment. My guys had had a real adventure getting here Friday afternoon with a flat tire in Arkansas. I am SO glad they could make it and they contributed so much with their encouragement to Papa.
Our next quest, after seeing David and the guys off on Sunday AM, was for Nana, Papa, and I to drive to Lubbock to see his little sister (age 77), who is recovering from open heart surgery. We had lunch in historic Thurber (where my great-aunt taught international non-English speaking children whose parents worked in the brick factory nearby), and took a tour of Ranger, TX, where my grandparents met and Mom was raised until nearly age 9. Very interesting. I'd always wanted to see Aunt Maude's boarding house! Then, on to Lubbock, check into the hotel, dinner from the nearby deli, and an errand to Wallie World. Meanwhile, Mom called an old friend, Benna, whose recently deceased husband was always the "life of the party". When I got back from my errand, there sat our friend, chatting on the bed with Mom, radiant in her turquoise outfit. I'd never have guessed that she turned 80 just a few months ago herself! She stayed until after 10 p.m. We were up at 7:20 a.m. Monday and made our way out into the country to Aunt Genny's mobile home by 10 a.m. Cousin Randy (always one of my favorite guys) and his 16-year-old daughter, Teila, visited with us while Dad and Genny chatted with Mom. She looks good in spite of a triple-bypass only 8 weeks ago, and she had a cute little white pomeranian dog which reminded Dad of his beloved "Puppy", his favorite pet growing up. The dog jumped in his lap, and he giggled with delight. They served us an Applebee's take-out lunch, and we stayed until 2 p.m. Then, we just HAD to get on the road if we were going to get home by dark. Sure enough, we pulled into the complex here about 9 p.m., as the twilight was fading.
In our absence, the water heater in one of Mom's closets had decided to give up its contents, deluging the tenant's garage below and soaking a small part of the carpet here. The maintenance men had already replaced it by the time we arrived, and we're drying out the carpet with a fan. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, and we're SO glad it didn't happen on Saturday, while we had so much company.
The only "downer" from the weekend was that Dad left his billfold and keys in the hotel room. We didn't even know it until we got here, but there was a phone message that they had found it. They're mailing it to us as I write.
Needless to say, Dad is exhausted. He's resting a lot today. He would not close his eyes on the road all day either day, even though nap time came and went. He was pretty worn out and a little disoriented by the time we got here, but he's bouncing back today. Everyone is telling him "Happy Birthday" and he's received about 20 cards.
We have a "date" this afternoon to go visit one of the men here who was a paratrooper in WWII. He jumped behind enemy lines to a strategic city in France and helped the resistance fighters. He's got some great tales to tell, so I'm looking forward to it.
The biggest news of all is that it looks like Mom and Dad will need to move to our fair city soon. Due to many factors, they are looking for a new place to live. I made one phone call this morning and there is a man we know who has a property for rent. It may be just the "thing". I'll see it on Saturday and let them know so they can give notice. I am praying that what the Lord wills will happen, and that all concerned will be content with the decision. Dad seems really excited for the opportunity to be closer to me. Mom's more hesitant, but realizes she needs my help.
Thank you for your continued readership. May the Lord bless you in your endeavors, as we walk closer to Him day by day.
