Fun with Family

It's a whole new "era" in our lives. Mom and Dad arrived on Friday about 12:30 p.m. and we went straight over to their new house. Mitch, the landlord, was still painting some things and asked that they not stay there that night. The movers arrived a few minutes later and began unloading the boxes and furniture. We went on to the house for lunch and rest time. I went back to supervise the unloading and answer questions. About 6 p.m. as the first rain drops began to fall, they finished the last load, we paid them, and they headed back to Texas. Meanwhile, Konni and Kevin arrived at our house, David and the boys departed for the drum corps show (which was ultimately rained out), and we had a quiet dinner at home of carry-out Chinese food. Everyone found a suitable place to sleep, and we all settled in.
Saturday Kevin had to get back to Texas, and Konni helped Mom and Scott and I all morning as we sorted boxes and made a path through the living room (the "staging area", as the movers called it). Todd had gone off to drive a car -- paying propositions take priority! Just after lunch, we had a refreshing outing to the salon for a much-needed style session for Mom. It's not quite what she wanted, but it helped. That afternoon, we attacked the stacks again while Scott bought groceries and prepared supper on the grill. David mowed the tall grass, making friends with the neighbors and finding a ferocious yellow jacket, and Mitch continued his meticulous painting in the master bathroom.
Sunday Konni flew home early; then it was church time (where Dad sang every song, loud and clear, in his beautiful tenor), lunch at home, a bridal shower, and Scott and David returned to the homestead with the folks and me to repair the desk leg, set up the computer, move in the console TV and set up all the peripherals around it. We also unloaded Nana's car, which had been loaded to the ceiling with last-minute things thrown in as they left the apartment on Thursday. The path through the living room is getting wider, things are getting more sorted (not sordid -- I know what you're thinking!), and we are just pacing ourselves, not doing too much at any one trip. Mitch is still back there, though, saying the paint is not dry enough to allow anyone to enter the master bathroom where there is also the walk-in closet and linen closet, so some boxes cannot be emptied and they cannot even sleep there yet. It seems like the song "One More Day" keeps playing in the background unendingly.
Monday we headed for the bank to establish a new account, then to the Senior Citizens Center to see what they have to offer. The calendar of events and menu both look fabulous. There is exercise M-W-F 10:30 to 11 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 every day. It's only $1.25!! There are art classes and much more. They even offer Tai Chi on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. It's right next to our church building, so Mom can probably let Dad do things over there while she attends Ladies Bible Class on Tuesdays when that starts up in September.
Lunch with Scott at Panera Bread, another short work session at the house, securing shelves in the closet, arranging pretty glassware on the upper kitchen display rack, and moving dressers and TV in the master bedroom. Still not clear for occupation, due to landlord. Back at home, scheduling Dad's dental appointment (to consult about his broken tooth), checking on the V.A. hospital, cable TV installation, voter registration, car tags, etc. We are able to print out some forms which helps. Todd's gone all day (and night) driving for the company. After our supper, there's "Wheel", "Antique Roadshow", and "History Detectives" (none of which I can actually watch due to finishing my part-time permit job and getting the master his supper).
It IS fun to have someone to talk to and people to sit and eat supper with. It IS fun to set up a new house and arrange familiar objets d'arte. It IS fun to introduce old friends to my folks and to discover interesting things going on in our community. It reminds me a little of when the children were little and we would find things on their level to do while Daddy was at work. It opens your eyes to things that go on all the time whether you realize it or not. It helps you see your world in a different way, to try to get places and do things with them. So far, we are all healthy and happy. We WISH they could sleep there, but it's not that bad having this time to "bond" and adjust to the new life ahead. The grandsons are enjoying talking with and helping these grandparents whom they have never had more than 24-48 hours with at any one time all these years.
Time moves on, things change, but family is SO important. Being together is such a blessing. Konni cried to leave the other day, but she is glad they can get the care they need here. We will all adjust to the new life, and I think it will be a better situation. I don't look forward to being away all day at school, but we'll face the challenges as they come. My first full week day away will be next Wednesday. This weekend, we'll visit David's relatives, so Mom and Dad will have one day to "fend for themselves". They are quite capable. I am proud of them for being so flexible and independent.
Thank you, dear reader, for "hanging in here" with my long post. I promise less next time.