I’m sitting in bed at my mom’s house, reflecting back on this trip. It had many sad moments while we reflected on Aunt Ella and her life, but they were happy moments at the same time. Aunt Ella was a person that brought happy to the forefront when she was around.
The rest of the trip was spent with family and a brief time with friends. Happy times. Dinner with Don & Sue and Nan was filled with laughter and memories. We enjoyed our hours talking and bullshitting. Erin managed to take over Nan and they got to know each other.
Phone calls home made me very aware that home is where Nina is. Erin and I will make the day and a half trip starting around 6 a.m. eastern time. The trip will cover 7 states and 3 time zones and will be filled with book tapes, Spongebob Squarepants, Fairly Odd Parents, and Erin and I fighting about who’s better looking, her or me.
If OKC is the end of today’s drive, we will see Jamie and Jennie. If not, we will be swimming tonight at another Holiday Inn Express.
Time to pack the Jeep and hook up the trailer.
The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources
To the best of my recollection and not necessarily in order:
She was very good at the funeral. Only one time was she too loud and that was at the cemetery when an ant started biting her butt and she jumped up loudly and proclaimed, “Stop biting me dude! Get off the chair dude.”
First time I’ve ever heard an ant called dude.
She fell asleep on Nancy’s lap during the service. Nancy was so great about letting her sleep without disturbing her.
We went for a walk and found a park on the northeast area of the condos and spent an hour or so there.
We then came back in and watched TV while waiting for dinner to arrive and our guests to join us.
Don, Sue, & Nan dropped in for pizza and Don brought beer. We had a nice quite evening together when Nan took Erin for another walk. She guilted Nan into the walk and almost got her to do it again until I said “no” and that Nan was my friend and not her escort.
Erin likes the condo and wants to live here with Old Beppe sometimes. We’ll work out the details later Mom.
We lit the candles in the front room after everyone left and sat there and talked about the day. She said that it was sad that Aunt Ella died and she told me that Aunt Ella was with Jesus in heaven and that made her happy.
I think the most important part of lighting the candles was that she got to blow them out when we were done talking.
She loved the country club. I let her play on the stairs alone and that was fun for her.
She ate well today. Ledo’s Pizza for dinner. Ham buns at the country club. Pancakes at J.C. George’s.
She fell asleep on the couch last night, cuddling the angel bear.
This will probably be a one time thing. Next time I bring Nina to take up the slack so I can nap every once and a while. Erin will still sit up front. She said so.
Being her Pake is great therapy for me. She is amazing.
We had a nice night with the family at J. Alexander’s in Oak Brook last night. Even Carl enjoyed the food.
Erin is a real trooper in the car. She bears with her boredom quite well. Glad I have an iPad for her to watch cartoons!
J.C. Georges for breakfast! Eggs bennie for me and pancakes for Erin.
I am a husband, father, grandfather, friend, business owner, traveller, Harley rider, citizen, patriot, gun owner, politically eclectic person of strange personal habits. I support police, trust no politicians, and can argue any side of an argument just to amuse myself. People love me or hate me and those that are in-between don't know me.
