Today I got up and headed for the Atlanta airport about 2:45 AM. I am headed to Yakima WA to visit my Aunt Sue. If you have followed my journey for awhile, you may recall other pilgrimages I have made to see my honorary Aunt Sue and Uncle Ron in Washington state. Before we could plan my visit for this past August, Sue suffered a brain aneurysm and has been working hard to regain in rehab ever since. Thus I did not go at my usual time. When Uncle Ron rather suddenly died in October, I decided I wanted to make the journey to see Sue. So today I am on my way for a long weekend. This will be a different kind of Yakima trip but I am excited to see Sue and experience Yakima in November. It already has proven adventurous. My plane has been delayed and new arrangements were made by the airline to get me to my destination after midnight. So thanks to Maggie, the rep in Boise who helped me on the phone, plans have been flipped around making my arrival in Yakima the same with less travel time in a rental car. In addition, the airline bought me breakfast and well..... I met a guy. A.T. was just hanging out in the airport gift shop with no plans for the weekend. He asked if he could go with me. And I said, yes!
We'll keep you posted!
When Mom returned from her visit to her homeland of Kansas in August, she had news that there was going to be a family celebration in October. Her brother's 4 daughters were hosting a party to celebrate his 90th birthday and he and his wife's 70th wedding anniversery. Thus we began discussing the possibility of going. We decided with Peter's current situation that instead of our annual Christmas trip, She and I would fly to Kansas for the celebration. Mom decided it was going to be a big SURPRISE for everyone. So even though we had airline tickets, a rental car and VBRO rental house lined up, when a cousin called to offer to get us there, Mom said I couldn't get off work. In truth I think we were in the midst of ordering our T-shirts to wear to the event.
This was a different trip for mom because since she wasn't telling anyone she was coming, she couldn't do her usual planning and detailed itinerary. Plus, she had just been to visit so she did not feel the pressure to make sure she fit everyone in. There were a couple of people not related to that side of the family that I finally convinced her we should give a heads up to so that we didn't miss them. We knew that most of her side of the family would be at the party and we would get to see them there. Personally I loved that this trip was not planned out and we got to be a bit spontaneous. We had a great trip!!! I think we really did pleasantly surprise her family. The weather was beautifulI. Our accomidations and car were just what we needed. We had some fun unexpected visits with friends and family. Overall, it was just so fun to be with Mom and enjoy her homeland. I will use pictures to share a bit of the story.
After arriving in Kansas City our first stop was the Russel Stover Chocolate outlet and lunch at Bob Evans.
The Russel Stovers had been purchased (some of it anyway) for Mom's college friend Shirley. Shirley's mom had worked for Russel Stovers when they were in college and Shirley often brought the candy back to school. Last time mom saw her, Shirley talked about wishing she had some. So the next stop was a surprise visit to Shirley with a bag of Russel Stovers candy in towe.
Next we took our rental car (which funny enough had Georgia plates) to the cute little house in an old historic district of Topeka. It was a great little place to set up base camp. It was easy for getting to our various points of inerest. We weren't too far from the Kansas State Capital building where I remember my Grandma working when I was little. Mom and I made several drives by it during the weekend to determine exactly what color was the roof! It used to be green, oxidized copper. They redid the roof and people tell us it is copper. It looked black to us!
Next stop was to the cemetary in the little town of Hoyt where my parent's grew up. I was excited to go out there on a pleasant sunny day. My other trips have been on cold, wet and windy days. Dad's tree is growing well and it's always nice to spend a few minutes at this peaceful spot. While we were there we drove down a dirt road to make a surprise visit to a classmate of my mom's. (My mom and dad were 2 of 10 students in their graduating class.) It was fun to chat with Carolyn a bit but we had to make her promise not to tell my Uncle Delbert (Mom's brother in law by her sister). They are friends and she said she was suppose to call him.. He would be at the party and we didn't want him to know. Then we went to the graocery store to get food supplies. I know I was looking around every corner to make sure we didn't run in to a relative!
Saturday morning was saw another childhood friend of my mom's. She is the one mom stayed with while visiting in August. We watched her play some pickle ball and she gave me a bunch of succulent clippings. Yes "Succulents in my Suitcase" is just another title of one of my unwritten books. Carolyn was also told "Don't tell anyone we are here!" Yes mom has two school friends that she keeps up with, both named Carolyn!
Mom planned for us to wear celebration T-shirts to the event. Etsy helped us combine old photo's with the word's stating that we were there to celebrate these people.
After making a couple of fun spontaneous stops, it was time to go to the party. It was so fun to see the surprise on the family's faces as they realized Aunt Millie was there. I think my Aunt and Uncle were really excited about mom's surprise. It was such a great celebration and we are so glad we were able to be there. I got to see several cousins and aunts and uncles that I don't see very often.
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| Uncle Walt and Aunt Wanda |
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| Dale is Wanda's brother and he and my mom stood up with Walt and Wanda at their wedding. He and mom had a couple of dates back in the day as well. |
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| Walt and Wanda's 4 daughters did a great job of putting this celebration together. |
The rest of the trip was delightful spontaneous visits with family. Saturday evening we were invited to join my uncl Delbert (he was married to mom's sister that died several years ago) on his regualr Saturday night "date" with mom's classmate Carolyn. "Date" is my word, not theirs. They go most every Satruday, at the same time, and to the same restaurant just a town over. And after dinner Carolyn fed us Apple Pie. I learned a couple of years ago that Carolyn can make really good apple pie so I was glad we got in on that. The whole evening with them was so much fun. I grew up in big towns and have contact with two friend from all my pre-college schooling. I find the dynamics of these folks who grew up in a small town together and are still friends fascinating
Sunday we had an early lunch with my Uncle Slim (he was married to Dad's sister) and my cousin Tonya. That was another real treat. I learned later as mom was telling me stories that this uncle had dated Carolyn (from the night before) back in the day. I love small towns! Later that evening when we had no plans Mom and I made a surprise stop by Cousin Tonya's house and had a spontaneous dinner with her. Again, so much fun.
Sunday afternoon cousin Dale invited us over to gather with his mom (Mom's oldest sister Aunt Phyllis) and her brother and wife Walt and Wanda. The Chief's were playing on the big screen and in the midst of that we did a little visiting. I had fun conversations with both of my aunts. I was delighted to hear my Aunt Wanda share stories about her and my uncle dating and his marriage proposal.
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| Mom (87) with her sibblings, Phyllis (94) Walt (90) The baby Imagene died several years ago. |
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| Me with the Amazing Aunt Wanda |
Sunday evening mom and I enjoyed putting on our comfy clothes and watching some Netflix in our cute little rental. The next day we packed up, found the See's Candy shop at the Nebraska Furniture Market then met long time friends Frank and Lee for lunch. This couple and my parents became friends shortly after getting married and have been "like family" friends ever since.
I don't have any new information on Peter. I do know he is to appear before a judge in a couple of weeks. The ultimate goal seems to be to get him qualified for mandated medical help. Please continue to pray towards this end along with a place to get therapeutic help once he is stabilized. My heart breaks for him and his current situation. There is a continual underlying sadness. However, I have been very grateful for the break from trying to fix things for him. The past month plus, I have had several fun events. Knowing he is being cared for has freed me to fully engage in them. Here is a little recap.
At the end of September we caught up with Anna and the kids in Cleveland GA for an Ag Festival. Always fun to be with them and it was a beautiful day outside.
I look forward to telling you about my latest fun adventure with my mom but first I want to give you an update on Peter. There is not much new as he remains in Jail, I understand that he still is refusing medication . I have had no contact with him, however I have made a contact that was helpful.
Amongst the many medical bills that have arrived for Peter, he recieved a jury summons for next week. In my efforts to get it excused, I was corresponding by email with a clerk in the jury duty office. In my explanation that I could not get the excusal documentation that they required, I expresed my frustration over my lack of information on his status. This kind woman took the time to do some digging and not only did she take care of getting Peter cleared from jury duty, she gave me information. She gave me his bail amount and the name of his public defender along with his public defender's phone number and the recommendation that I contact him.
I did call him and he took the time to update me. Peter does remain in jail with a fairly high bail. His charge is a simple disorderly conduct misdemeanor but they are holding him because of his mental state. Peter is refusing medication and is not interested in talking to those who come to talk with him. The current plan is to try to get a compentency test done on Peter that would show he is not clear of mind to make decisions. This would allow him to be transported to a mental hospital and medicated with hopes of recovery. The public defender confirmed my thoughts that currently jail was the safest place for Peter as it provided food and shelter and keeps him off the street. I am told this process is slow yet I know through a notice in the mail, Peter has an arraignment hearing on November 16th. I do not know how that fits into all of this. I have been asked to provide some documentation of Peter's medical history that may help with the compentency test.
I am grateful for these people who made the effort to help me be informed and put to rest some of my mom anxiety that was developing as a result of the silence. Please continue to pray for the people involved, Peter to get medication, and theruptic housing in the aftermath. Pray that I will complete the work I need to that may help in this process. And as always we pray for the light of Christ to shine in the darkness that currently Peter is stuck in. Thank you for your cares, concerns and prayers.
I came out this morning to the beach. It's a 0.4 mile walk through a mossy lane. The sun rise went ahead without me. It was waiting in beauty when I got there. I brought my beloved quilt that my friend Helen made me. It has become a beach sunrise necessity. Early risers at the house had the coffee ready. And I sit here on the sand in great contentment. As much as I am a mountain girl and love my mountains, there is something very soothing to my soul about the ocean, especially early in the morning..
Ever since I learned the hymn, Oh the Deep Deep Love of Jesus from a BSF hymnal, I find attempting to sing it while looking at the ocean another requirement of a beach visit. My church sings that song but they changed the tune. I haven't gotten over that yet. But that doesn't matter here just me on the beach.
"Oh the deep deep love of Jesus , vast unmeasured, fullness free. Rolling as a mighty ocean, over me." There is something about sitting in front of the ocean and singing those words that is a balm to my soul. Life is hard. There is so much we don't understand about this world. Yet I believe with all my heart that Jesus loves me. Even when things don't look the way I wish they did. And I choose to let that be enough. It's always easier doing so while sitting here on the beach. So I'm really grateful for these moments. And I hold on to them when I'm living in the muck and meyer of day to day.
Today is Peter's twenty fifth birthday. He is in jail. I have had no contact with him in over four weeks. And I don't have any more information since my last post about him. When I ttexted Helen that today was his birthday she said. "I don't think hallmark has a card for that." Pretty much sums it . I would ask that you would say a prayer for him today. It's all I have to offer him right now. And yet in the spiritual world -which is the real reality- it is everything that one can offer him.
My coffee has run out. My bottom is sore from sitting on this lump of sand. So I will look at wrapping this up. I have to head back home in a few hours. That is sad. But I am so grateful for the gift of this weekend. Peter had a birthday and I got a gift. Go figure.
Here is a little Birthday Shout out (a day late) to this great lady! Mom was 87 yesterday, Oct 1st- finally! I have been telling people for almost a year that she is 87. She recently corrected me! She was 86 ALL last year. Now she is 87 and going strong!
She is a friend to many keeping up with friends old and new through cards, calls and even text!
She is active working in her yard, working on jigsaw puzzels, and going to swim excercise (even when she doesn't really want to.)
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| yes we have twinsy bathing suits like we had twinsy dresses when I was a kid. FYI - I had my suit first. |
