Decoration

I realize my dad did not die in service to our country. But he did serve, and he was forever a patriot. So on Memorial Day (did you know it was originally Decoration Day?), Meg, Nate, Ev, and I visited Dad's place and left him some red, white, and blue.

We miss you, Pops.

Life is a Highway

And I think my brother must average about 100 mph as he drives along it. Mom called early this afternoon from South Dakota. South Dakota. She sounded giddy. I wonder if that was before or after Loren snapped this picture at the Corn Palace.



Mom said they had a lovely visit with my brother Bill and his family. She said I would be jealous of my sister-in-law's garden. No doubt! I assured Mom we were watering her yard and Perry was working, and that was all she needed to hear. It was nice of her to call. She even said it was nice to hear my voice. How about that?

The Fine Art of Passive-Aggression

If denial is our family language, passive-aggression is our art form. In case you're not familiar (lucky you), the dictionary states: a type of behavior or personality characterized by indirect resistance to the demands of others and an avoidance of direct confrontation, as in procrastinating, pouting, or misplacing important materials.

I've worked hard not to pass this on to the next generation, and I think for the most part my children say what they think. I like the fact that they push back when they think they are right, instead of bowing under and stewing. Some of the PA skills must have seeped through though (how many generations are the sins of the fathers visited on?), and Karis put them to good use Sunday.

No matter how much Karis objected (and she can be quite persuasive!), Uncle Loren would not agree to wake her up when he and Grandma left in the morning. Karis wanted to say goodbye and see them off; Loren and Grandma refused. Karis pointed out that she would need to get up to move the Crown Vic; Loren said he would do it.

So, in fine ancestral form, Karis took the Crown Vic keys with her when she went to bed Saturday night. And locked her bedroom door.
Forcing her Uncle Loren to call her cell phone, wake her up, ask for the keys, and ultimately give Karis what she wanted...
to say goodbye to her beloved Grandma.

On the Road Again

Loren and Mom had a good day yesterday. They stopped at David's Catfish in Idabel, Oklahoma for lunch. They saw the Heavener runestone.



Doesn't Mom look happy?

And they arrived in Fayetteville, AR around 5:00. After a nice visit with my sister Ruth and family, Loren and Mom decided to head out for Kansas City this morning. It looks like Mom might just get her world tour of children after all.

The Big Adventure

Today Bill and Ted leave on their really big adventure. Karis sat on the bed last night while Grandma packed. She called me at one point to tell me she was fixing baggies of honey nut cheerios and goldfish for her Uncle Loren and Grandma for travel snacks. So, Butch and the Sundance Kid are taking the long way (that Dad would never take even though Mom always wanted to) to Arkansas to visit Ruth and see Elizabeth graduate Tuesday night. Then Wednesday morning, Thelma and Louise will hit the road for Idaho in order to catch Zane's graduation Saturday.

After that, the plans are a little murky. Mom wants to stay in Idaho for a week, then fly back home. Loren wants to keep her, well, forever I think. At least as long as she will stay.

Hospice called Friday to set up a meeting for Tuesday to talk about Mom's travel. I laughed and told the nice hospice worker that Mom would be long gone on Tuesday. She called Mom for the travel itinerary, hoping to find sister hospices along the way.

So, bon voyage, Bonnie and Clyde! May all your travel dreams come true. Vaya con dios.

Grad Party

Tonight we had a graduation party for Karis. She graduated last Saturday, but wanted her party on a separate day. She limited her guest list to close friends/old friends/family, and invited entire families. We had dinner and set up bocce ball and croquet in the yard. It was a nice mix of people and a lot of fun.

I wasn't sure if Mom would come. She had already told Karis two reasons why she wouldn't. But Loren drove her out and she seemed to have a great time! We had set up a table downstairs so Mom wouldn't have to hike up, but hike up she did. She enjoyed a plate of appetizers, then filled her dinner plate. And then she said to Loren, "I'm ready for some more!" and filled her plate again. They arrived late and left early, but I'm so glad they came.

He Said Yes

The hospice doctor reportedly told Mom she could take the road trip.

Lord help us all.