Laura’s 25th Reunion

Laura was celebrating her 25th reunion from Princeton this week.  She asked if she could spend the night Thursday and of course, we were happy to have her.  It all turned out to be more of an adventure than she anticipated.

I asked her to text us when she was leaving the campus and I was in my “mother” mode and worried about her walking alone on the dark streets.  She did text us when leaving and then when she got into her car but warned us that her key fob was almost out of power and although she got the car started by putting it right next to the ignition, that it could be a problem if she parked behind our garage thus blocking us in.

There didn’t seem to be any other parking places nearby so we chanced it.  Jim googled how to replace a battery because he remembered it being an issue with one of our fobs.  Fortunately, she was able to start the car in the morning and Jim drove her to CVS to get the correct battery.  It was replaced and she was able to get back to campus for a lunch and then a 4 pm session with a 95 year old John McPhee who was one of her writing professors 25 years ago.  How lovely for him to have a group out to his home.  I will be eager to hear more about that.  I remember reading someone saying that he had the gift of making each student feel like he or she was just the greatest student ever.  

Today was the P-rade and Michael sent a video of the whole family with their signs and Princeton gear ready to march in the rain.  Not a good day for reunion celebrations!

I’ll try to include a photo of Laura in her orange blazer.  Sometimes this works; sometimes it doesn’t!

Family and Friends

 

It has been a weekend for enjoying and being thankful for family and friends.  Saturday was grandson Michael’s graduation from George Washington University.  We joined the ceremony by livestream and were able to see Michael walk across the stage and hear his name read with his majors in music and psychology.  Sunday was granddaughter Ruth’s confirmation at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church.  We again joined by livestream and were able to hear Ruth say her vows with 15 other young people and to hear her name called.

Mark Noll, our friend from South Bend and Notre Dame, was the inaugural lecturer in a series on Presbyterians and the American revolution in our church, Nassau Presbyterian, on Sunday afternoon.  A graduate student brought him to our apartment and we enjoyed having lunch together and spending time visiting.  We got him to church plenty in time for his lecture at 4 pm and were able to greet Maggie, his wife, and my dear walking buddy from South Bend days.

On Monday Jim golfed with Eli, Katie’s fiancée and I met my good friend Peggy at the apartment playground for a chat.  It was very hot and not the best weather for golf but they enjoyed the round and I enjoyed the visit.

Monday morning we got a text from granddaughter Katie inviting us for a celebration dinner for her mom’s birthday and Michael’s graduation.   We were happy to say Yes.  I offered to bring my usual brownies but Katie had made a cake and decorated it for the occasion.  So we joined Katie, Eli, Jeff, Susan, and Michael for supper.  That means just a ten minute ride into Princeton, not a 700 mile trip like it used to be for family events.

We came home and watched a double overtime game in which the Spurs beat Oklahoma City Thunder and we read about the Mets win in the 12th inning with a score of 16-7.  A great sports night!

Mother’s Day

I have not blogged since April 25.  Sometimes it seems there is plenty to write about; other times not so much.  But today is the day after Mother’s Day so that gives me something to say.

First,  I am so thankful to be a mother and a grandmother.  That did not come without complications and delays but we are so blessed to have three children with three wonderful spouses and eight grandchildren.  I blogged about our wonderful family party for our 80th birthdays and I treasure the memory of that evening.  Our three children are spaced almost seven years apart and then five and a half years apart.  That is not the way we would have planned our family but it is the way we were given our family.  It has ramifications even now with the oldest three grandchildren all older than the youngest five.  

Jeff and Susan treated us to brunch at Triumph Brewery yesterday.  We walked there after church and sat on a bench in Palmer Square until the time of our reservation.  It was a beautiful spring day and there were families picnicking on blankets and children running happily around the grounds.  We had a lovely meal.  Jeff and Susan are always so good about making us feel welcome here in Princeton.  

Dan and Alex attempted a FaceTime call and somehow we missed it.  But we called them around 7 and made plans to visit in early June—when Alex is back from a Philadelphia yoga convention and their newly repaired roof should be finished.  Laura sent flowers and called.  Michael is with his mother in North Carolina alone with his siblings.  I am happy for Grandma Di that she could get her entire offspring together.  Michael sent a photo of the beautiful scenery along with his wishes for a happy Mother’s Day.

So I heard from everyone—even granddaughter Katie who hoped we had a good lunch.  I felt loved and remembered.