Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry. (p. 161)
There we were at a great crisis in our lives, and it had to be, it could only be, death with us as an ordinary thing....My tears were falling into the bowl of beaten eggs and then my nose dripped into it. I flung the whole frothy mess into the sink. I said, "Well, what are you planning to do? Just die? Or what?"
I couldn't turn around. I heard him fold the paper. After a minute he said, "Dear Hannah, I'm going to live right on. Dying is none of my business. Dying will have to take care of itself."
He came to me then, an old man weakened and ill, with my Nathan looking out of his eyes. He held me a long time as if under a passing storm, and then the quiet came. I fixed some supper, and we ate.
May my death and that of my dear Jim be "an ordinary thing." May we "live right on" until we die. But we will not have a lot of choice in this matter.
However, I can state some choices for the process afterwards. I do not want to be embalmed. It doesn't have to be done even if an undertaker thinks it should be. I do not want an open casket. There can be plenty of photos of me in my youth and as the old lady I hope I will be--or am!
The service should have lots of music-- "Now Thank We All Our God," "Fill Thou My Life, O Lord, My God," "In Christ Alone." I'll think more about the Scripture passages. Psalm 23 probably and parts of Psalm 73. Burial or cremation? I'll think more on that too. What is the point of being buried in South Bend if none of my loved ones live here?
A few flowers are fine but it's better that donations be sent to Doctors without Borders or World Renew.
Everyone in our tradition seems to use the first Q and A of the Heidelberg Catechism as a part of the service or the "In Memoriam" folder. Maybe not. How about the saying on the stone in the labyrinth in Elsah, Illinois--"Bidden or not bidden, God is present."
I'm healthy and in good spirits. I'm not being morbid. I am very aware of our vulnerability these days however and wanted to put these thoughts in writing.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Maggie
Three weeks ago tonight I was eating tacos in a trendy restaurant with Maggie in Wheaton, Illinois. One week later in the wee hours of the morning, Mark found Maggie on the floor unresponsive. She had suffered a stroke. Twelve hours later she had surgery to relieve the bleeding. Mark called me on Maggie's cell phone when surgery had begun to tell me what happened. I picked the phone up and said, "Happy birthday, Maggie!" "It's Mark," he said and then told me the news.
Today, after two weeks of hospitalization, Maggie has transferred to a rehab facility where she faces what will be a long recuperation process. She is making progress. After surgery she was on a ventilator and had a feeding tube. She now has a "peg" in her stomach for feeding. She can get around with assistance and follow some instructions. She has spoken a few words.
I have wept many times for her and for Mark. How can it be? I guess I have wept for us too--could it happen to us too? How can it happen so suddenly to someone who was supposedly in good health with no warning signs?
I keep thinking about how Maggie will feel when she realizes what has happened to her. Maybe she already understands. It would be easier if she didn't in some ways; but she has to face it to be able to do the therapy I would think. I don't know. I haven't asked for details.
Our conversations in the 24 hours I was with her play out in my head over and over. We had talked about the stress in her life recently but truly it was mostly happy stress. Many folks have asked how I am doing knowing she was my friend and that I had just visited her. I have appreciated their concern because it has been hard.
It has affected many who know her--young and old. We older ones feel vulnerable. Jim and I discussed the choices we would make, or have each other make, if this happened to us. At this point in our lives, we both said we would want to stay alive and go through the necessary rehabilitation. At age 80, I thought, maybe not. Jim says that at that point I might think differently.
A very busy young mother spoke of realizing that you can't postpone happiness or plans until you retire some day. Another young friend wondered if a dissertation was worth all the effort. Jim thinks I am breathing heavily; I check during the night to see if he is breathing at all! There have been more hugs and expressions of affection and appreciation for each other.
I wonder what we can do for Maggie and for Mark. I dread seeing her as she is now but I want to support her and Mark too. I will ask Mark when and if he wants us to come. We can sit with Maggie and give him a break. We can go out to eat with him and listen. For now, I pray and Mark writes that is more helpful than he can say. Good.
I do think about our own inevitable failing and demise. I have ideas that I want to be followed but that can be a topic for another blog. However, I'll never know if my last instructions are carried out, will I?
Today, after two weeks of hospitalization, Maggie has transferred to a rehab facility where she faces what will be a long recuperation process. She is making progress. After surgery she was on a ventilator and had a feeding tube. She now has a "peg" in her stomach for feeding. She can get around with assistance and follow some instructions. She has spoken a few words.
I have wept many times for her and for Mark. How can it be? I guess I have wept for us too--could it happen to us too? How can it happen so suddenly to someone who was supposedly in good health with no warning signs?
I keep thinking about how Maggie will feel when she realizes what has happened to her. Maybe she already understands. It would be easier if she didn't in some ways; but she has to face it to be able to do the therapy I would think. I don't know. I haven't asked for details.
Our conversations in the 24 hours I was with her play out in my head over and over. We had talked about the stress in her life recently but truly it was mostly happy stress. Many folks have asked how I am doing knowing she was my friend and that I had just visited her. I have appreciated their concern because it has been hard.
It has affected many who know her--young and old. We older ones feel vulnerable. Jim and I discussed the choices we would make, or have each other make, if this happened to us. At this point in our lives, we both said we would want to stay alive and go through the necessary rehabilitation. At age 80, I thought, maybe not. Jim says that at that point I might think differently.
A very busy young mother spoke of realizing that you can't postpone happiness or plans until you retire some day. Another young friend wondered if a dissertation was worth all the effort. Jim thinks I am breathing heavily; I check during the night to see if he is breathing at all! There have been more hugs and expressions of affection and appreciation for each other.
I wonder what we can do for Maggie and for Mark. I dread seeing her as she is now but I want to support her and Mark too. I will ask Mark when and if he wants us to come. We can sit with Maggie and give him a break. We can go out to eat with him and listen. For now, I pray and Mark writes that is more helpful than he can say. Good.
I do think about our own inevitable failing and demise. I have ideas that I want to be followed but that can be a topic for another blog. However, I'll never know if my last instructions are carried out, will I?
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Observing Lent in the Trump Era
I may have given up something for Lent many, many years ago. I have a vague memory of doing so. Our pastor at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, Dr. Ed Pickard, encouraged us, instead, to take on something for Lent. I have thought about that and tried to do so in one small way or another. I have joked that I take on Cadbury Creme Eggs for Lent, but this year I see that they cost 99 cents each at CVS so I will abstain until they go on sale!
However, this year, I am trying to give up something--or at least discipline myself in my far too easy checking of Facebook. I have taken it off my iphone so at least I have to be home and on my laptop to check postings. The frequent political postings in this Trump era are so depressing that I despair. However, there are other postings I don't want to miss like the updates on our friend Morgan Bolt and his cancer treatments--and the wonderful article Rice Computer Science wrote about our dear Dan. So my compromise is trying to look at Facebook just two or three times a day. This does make me aware of my unthinking habit and my need for discipline in this regard.
On a more positive note, as I read the lectionary each morning, I look for one phrase to stand out as God's word for me. In a way this is a form of lectio divina, although I don't meditate on the phrase for very long! I write it down in my little pink notebook and the act of writing it reinforces it. Today's phrase was from Psalm 103: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."
Two weeks ago, when President Trump tweeted his accusation of President Obama's wiretappping of his phones, he called his predecessor "bad (or sick) guy." The lectionary that morning was from Isaiah 58:
Thus says the LORD:
If you remove from your midst oppression,
false accusation and malicious speech;
If you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
Then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday...
I have been thinking ever since what a difference it might make if President Trump read the lectionary every morning. Is Scripture really a two-edged sword? Does it really go out and not return void? How can I suggest this to him from my humble place in Granger, Indiana? Would this be a more powerful idea than any of the many petitions I have signed? I will ponder this and pray.
However, this year, I am trying to give up something--or at least discipline myself in my far too easy checking of Facebook. I have taken it off my iphone so at least I have to be home and on my laptop to check postings. The frequent political postings in this Trump era are so depressing that I despair. However, there are other postings I don't want to miss like the updates on our friend Morgan Bolt and his cancer treatments--and the wonderful article Rice Computer Science wrote about our dear Dan. So my compromise is trying to look at Facebook just two or three times a day. This does make me aware of my unthinking habit and my need for discipline in this regard.
On a more positive note, as I read the lectionary each morning, I look for one phrase to stand out as God's word for me. In a way this is a form of lectio divina, although I don't meditate on the phrase for very long! I write it down in my little pink notebook and the act of writing it reinforces it. Today's phrase was from Psalm 103: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."
Two weeks ago, when President Trump tweeted his accusation of President Obama's wiretappping of his phones, he called his predecessor "bad (or sick) guy." The lectionary that morning was from Isaiah 58:
Thus says the LORD:
If you remove from your midst oppression,
false accusation and malicious speech;
If you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
Then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday...
I have been thinking ever since what a difference it might make if President Trump read the lectionary every morning. Is Scripture really a two-edged sword? Does it really go out and not return void? How can I suggest this to him from my humble place in Granger, Indiana? Would this be a more powerful idea than any of the many petitions I have signed? I will ponder this and pray.
Monday, March 13, 2017
24 Hours with Maggie
I was sad when Maggie moved back "home" to Wheaton after living in South Bend for ten years. Her husband Mark, a very well known and respected historian, retired from Notre Dame at the same time that Jim did. We became friends through our church and walking buddies the last few years.
Maggie said she would be in South Bend this past weekend and did I want to take the train back to Wheaton with her Sunday afternoon? Of course I did! We boarded the South Shore train at 1 pm. It was a 2 1/2 hour ride to Millenium Station, a half hour walk to Ogilvie Transportation Center, a 1 1/2 hour wait, an hour ride on a crowded Metra train and a short walk to their renovated condo in Wheaton. Driving would have been faster but would have had its own stresses.
The condo had a fresh paint smell and was very lovely. It was fun to see familiar furniture in new settings.
We had plenty of time to chat all afternoon and then even more over sangria. parmesan chips with guacamole, and fusion tacos at a very nice little place in Wheaton. Plus we had a dessert taco to end the meal in the best possible way.
With the time change the night before and then another time change heading to Chicago, my clock was off. I read my mystery far too late and had a hard time shutting it off when it was time to sleep.
With the table set as if we were at a very nice inn, Maggie treated me to a breakfast of oatmeal with toppings. We drove through the country to Immanuel Church, the home church they returned to, and toured the building taking time to investigate the beautiful organ which her son plays on occasion and helped to build We checked out the food pantry where she and Mark volunteer and even helped unload a "food recovery" van.
Our next stop was Trader Joe's--always a treat for me--and a chance to buy my supper and my favorite milk chocolate truffle candy bars.
It was so good to be able to see Maggie in her new (old) surroundings. Now, when others ask, "How's Maggie?" I will be able to tell them to check out my blog!
Maggie brought me to the Wheaton Metra station at 12:30 and I headed to town. It was a little over a mile walk to the Hilton Garden Inn. After checking in, I walked to the Art Institute and had a wonderful time seeing familiar works and the "Whistler's Mother: An American Icon Returns to Chicago" exhibit.. I walked past the Bean, took my obligatory photograph and helped out some tourists with theirs. I enjoyed supper in my room--bread with brie, a salad, and some wine.
Tomorrow's plans are iffy--but I do hope to be on the 12:35 train heading for home. And maybe even the 8:45 if I get myself psyched up that it is really 9:45 South Bend time.
--------------
I did take the 8:45 train after a very snowy, slushy but mercifully short walk to Millenium Station.
---------------
One week later, Maggie had a stroke in the middle of the night. She has been hospitalized for the last week after a long surgery to relieve the bleeding. She has not been responsive yet as far as I know. I cannot blog about it. Not yet. It has been overwhelming and so sad. But I did want to add this note.
Maggie said she would be in South Bend this past weekend and did I want to take the train back to Wheaton with her Sunday afternoon? Of course I did! We boarded the South Shore train at 1 pm. It was a 2 1/2 hour ride to Millenium Station, a half hour walk to Ogilvie Transportation Center, a 1 1/2 hour wait, an hour ride on a crowded Metra train and a short walk to their renovated condo in Wheaton. Driving would have been faster but would have had its own stresses.The condo had a fresh paint smell and was very lovely. It was fun to see familiar furniture in new settings.
We had plenty of time to chat all afternoon and then even more over sangria. parmesan chips with guacamole, and fusion tacos at a very nice little place in Wheaton. Plus we had a dessert taco to end the meal in the best possible way.
With the time change the night before and then another time change heading to Chicago, my clock was off. I read my mystery far too late and had a hard time shutting it off when it was time to sleep.
With the table set as if we were at a very nice inn, Maggie treated me to a breakfast of oatmeal with toppings. We drove through the country to Immanuel Church, the home church they returned to, and toured the building taking time to investigate the beautiful organ which her son plays on occasion and helped to build We checked out the food pantry where she and Mark volunteer and even helped unload a "food recovery" van.Our next stop was Trader Joe's--always a treat for me--and a chance to buy my supper and my favorite milk chocolate truffle candy bars.
It was so good to be able to see Maggie in her new (old) surroundings. Now, when others ask, "How's Maggie?" I will be able to tell them to check out my blog!
Maggie brought me to the Wheaton Metra station at 12:30 and I headed to town. It was a little over a mile walk to the Hilton Garden Inn. After checking in, I walked to the Art Institute and had a wonderful time seeing familiar works and the "Whistler's Mother: An American Icon Returns to Chicago" exhibit.. I walked past the Bean, took my obligatory photograph and helped out some tourists with theirs. I enjoyed supper in my room--bread with brie, a salad, and some wine.
Tomorrow's plans are iffy--but I do hope to be on the 12:35 train heading for home. And maybe even the 8:45 if I get myself psyched up that it is really 9:45 South Bend time.
--------------
I did take the 8:45 train after a very snowy, slushy but mercifully short walk to Millenium Station.
---------------
One week later, Maggie had a stroke in the middle of the night. She has been hospitalized for the last week after a long surgery to relieve the bleeding. She has not been responsive yet as far as I know. I cannot blog about it. Not yet. It has been overwhelming and so sad. But I did want to add this note.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Retiring in a College Town
Lists of the best places to retire often mention college towns like Chapel Hill, North Carolina or Oxford, Missisippi. A warmer climate would be nice and I would be happy to live in Princeton, New Jersey and be near our loved ones, but South Bend is also a college town with many options for entertainment. 25 years ago, when we moved here, this was not as true but the building of the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center has meant many more guest artists and college performances.
Two weeks ago we heard Third Coast Percussion with a premier performances of a work for voice and instruments. Last week they won a Grammy for the best chamber music group. Today I went to a conducting recital by Justin Appel, a doctoral student. He chose two works by Latvian composers both written in this century. Plainscapes (by Vasks) was a breathtakingly beautiful work of vocalises by a chamber choir, a violin and a cello. Passion and Resurrection (Esenvalds) was a dramatic work for soprano soloist (Jessica Bush), vocal quartet, chorus, and strings. Coming just before Lent, listening to this work was very moving and spiritual.
Some of our entertainment this last week was of a very different sort. The Bengal Bouts are amateur boxing matches held for the benefit of the Holy Cross mission in Bangladesh. One of Jim's colleagues, Father Brian Daley, is a coach of several young men. I decided this was something we needed to see, a traditional Notre Dame experience, so I reserved our $7 tickets. It was great fun to sit among the cheering students although I think once is enough for the experience of watching young men punch each other.
And then yesterday we watched pole vaulting, triple jumps, and several races at the ACC Indoor Track Championships at Notre Dame. We gasped as the three finalists pole vaulted to over 18 feet and when the runners are just a few feet away from you, you really get a sense of how very fast they are.
Coming up this week, a Saint Saens organ concerto at the Basilica on Friday--and who know what else. We have the time--and it doesn't take much money--but we do sometimes just need to nudge ourselves out of our comfortable family room seats, turn off the TV, and get out to see live performances.
Two weeks ago we heard Third Coast Percussion with a premier performances of a work for voice and instruments. Last week they won a Grammy for the best chamber music group. Today I went to a conducting recital by Justin Appel, a doctoral student. He chose two works by Latvian composers both written in this century. Plainscapes (by Vasks) was a breathtakingly beautiful work of vocalises by a chamber choir, a violin and a cello. Passion and Resurrection (Esenvalds) was a dramatic work for soprano soloist (Jessica Bush), vocal quartet, chorus, and strings. Coming just before Lent, listening to this work was very moving and spiritual.
Some of our entertainment this last week was of a very different sort. The Bengal Bouts are amateur boxing matches held for the benefit of the Holy Cross mission in Bangladesh. One of Jim's colleagues, Father Brian Daley, is a coach of several young men. I decided this was something we needed to see, a traditional Notre Dame experience, so I reserved our $7 tickets. It was great fun to sit among the cheering students although I think once is enough for the experience of watching young men punch each other. |
| Anna Rohrer, a ND sophomore |
And then yesterday we watched pole vaulting, triple jumps, and several races at the ACC Indoor Track Championships at Notre Dame. We gasped as the three finalists pole vaulted to over 18 feet and when the runners are just a few feet away from you, you really get a sense of how very fast they are.
Coming up this week, a Saint Saens organ concerto at the Basilica on Friday--and who know what else. We have the time--and it doesn't take much money--but we do sometimes just need to nudge ourselves out of our comfortable family room seats, turn off the TV, and get out to see live performances.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
In Memoriam: Deborah Lind Jamieson Krohn 1950-2010
I had tried to contact Debbie before but was not successful. The last time I saw her was before we moved to South Bend--25 years ago.
I was reminded of that trip a few days ago and decided to try to find my old friend again. This time her name appeared--in an obituary from 2010. She died at age 59 and I will never be able to have any contact with her again. The finality of it has overwhelmed me in the last 24 hours. I tried to track down her daughter Sara and sent an email to the CDC in Washington, DC where Linked-In says she works. I wanted to express my sympathy to someone.
Debbie and I met at a women's group at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cary, North Carolina shortly after we moved there. During our first meeting the women introduced themselves with most of them saying what their favorite craft activity was. I didn't do crafts and was so bold as to say so. Later Debbie came up to me for just that reason and we became friends.
Not long after that there was a crisis in her marriage and her mental health. She called me, I put the bread that was rising on the counter in the refrigerator, put four year old Jeff in the car, and went right over to see her. It was a hard time but she was tough and resilient and ended up finishing her undergraduate degree at the University of NC in Greensboro. She loved our Jeff and counseled me more than once when I was feeling needy. She took some treasured photos of our family which I still have and will include.
Over the next several years we saw each other in Greensboro and in Raleigh. She remarried, moved to Wilmington, had a child and opened an interior design business. We lost contact.
To think of her as no longer with us is painful. To realize that she probably was single again and remarried one more time makes me wonder what else happened in her life. Her survivors were her mother, daughter, and brothers. To see that the memorial contributions were to be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation makes me realize that she probably suffered with a serious illness.
I hope her daughter will contact me. I am even more determined to keep up with friends we have made over the years. We have lived in many places and here in South Bend, many of our good friends have moved away as they retired. We are aging and this is going to be our story more often over the years we have left.
-----------
Sara Jamieson did email me with her thanks for my taking the tiime to contact her. (February 24)
I was reminded of that trip a few days ago and decided to try to find my old friend again. This time her name appeared--in an obituary from 2010. She died at age 59 and I will never be able to have any contact with her again. The finality of it has overwhelmed me in the last 24 hours. I tried to track down her daughter Sara and sent an email to the CDC in Washington, DC where Linked-In says she works. I wanted to express my sympathy to someone.
Debbie and I met at a women's group at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cary, North Carolina shortly after we moved there. During our first meeting the women introduced themselves with most of them saying what their favorite craft activity was. I didn't do crafts and was so bold as to say so. Later Debbie came up to me for just that reason and we became friends.
Not long after that there was a crisis in her marriage and her mental health. She called me, I put the bread that was rising on the counter in the refrigerator, put four year old Jeff in the car, and went right over to see her. It was a hard time but she was tough and resilient and ended up finishing her undergraduate degree at the University of NC in Greensboro. She loved our Jeff and counseled me more than once when I was feeling needy. She took some treasured photos of our family which I still have and will include.Over the next several years we saw each other in Greensboro and in Raleigh. She remarried, moved to Wilmington, had a child and opened an interior design business. We lost contact.
To think of her as no longer with us is painful. To realize that she probably was single again and remarried one more time makes me wonder what else happened in her life. Her survivors were her mother, daughter, and brothers. To see that the memorial contributions were to be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation makes me realize that she probably suffered with a serious illness.I hope her daughter will contact me. I am even more determined to keep up with friends we have made over the years. We have lived in many places and here in South Bend, many of our good friends have moved away as they retired. We are aging and this is going to be our story more often over the years we have left.
-----------
Sara Jamieson did email me with her thanks for my taking the tiime to contact her. (February 24)
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Days 3-5
A car came to pick Jeff up at 8:20. The perks of a good job--someone drives you to the airport. I drove M to CCD at church--his preparation for confirmation. An hour later J and I met him for church. It was a joy to worship with my two grandsons. I always delight in seeing the diversity of a large parish--even in a univesity town like Princeton--or maybe more so. There were worshippers of European, Latino, Asian, and the Indian sub-continent origins.
The boys fixed their own lunches and spent lots of time on electronics and homework. I went for a lovely walk. This was an easy grandmother gig! Susan was home around 4--all went well for her travel.
My Facebook feed and my text messages are full of protest news and photos. Dan sent photos of large crowds in NYC; Sue sent one from Grand Rapids. People are protesting in South Bend. I have sent five supportive email messages to Republican senators who are objecting to Trump's immigration bans. My plan is to encourage principled Republican lawmakers.
Monday: Susan and I had a great supper Sunday evening and chat over red wine while J and four friends played a board game downstairs. It was good to hear their voices having a great time. Because Susan does not really need help during the week, I rebooked my flight for tomorrow. The extra $200 is OK--my husband is worth it!
Travel stress made sleep come again with difficulty. Jeff's car showed a warning light so a trip to Gladwyne was iffy with his vehicle. I don't like driving especially on interstates--and now in a rental car--but when Laura sent a photo of two of her little ones anticipating Grandma's visit, I knew I had to give it a try.
At 10:15 I went to Liliepie's Bakery to have coffee with the Moorheads, friends from NCSU days, and their daughter-in-law Michelle, a lovely young woman who is undergoing chemotherapy. I had prayed for her and emailed her and it was so good to meet her and to catch up with old friends.
A brisk walk and a little nap and I feel much better and ready for the next step in my adventure.
_____________
Hertz gave me a bright blue Ford Focus. I confess to a Trader Joe's stop before leaving Princeton to stock up on my very favorite candy bars--Milk Chocolate Truffle. I will try to portion out the five of them so they last for a while!
The traffic was not bad, but it started to snow and I could not figure out the headlights. Every once in a while they came on automatically but not consistently. Once I got to Gladwyne, I got out the manual and it will be OK tomorrow.
A and I had some playtime. At age two, he speaks much longer sentences and really knows how to play with his trains, legos, toy kitchen, etc. I told him I had something for him in my suitcase and he immediately said that he had a birthday a week ago. I thought that was pretty good that he made that association.
Michael, Laura and I had a great soup supper which was prepared by the nanny. The older ones were busy with various things, including Kindles, of course. And now two of the four are in bed while the older two watch a TV show with their dad.
Tuesday: I heard A during the night and apparently (one of Ruth's favorite words!) Laura was up with him for an hour before she gave up and let him fuss by the door where he sleeps on the floor--rejecting his comfortable bed. He then slept until 7:30. I had been awake for a while and went to get him at that point. It was a busy breakfast time and get ready for school time and by 9 am, all were out of the house except Laura and me.
I left around 9:45 and returned the rental car with the only problem being finding a gas station to fill up. Susan picked me up and brought me to Princeton Junction, I got on the 11:40 train and learned that my flight would be delayed out of Newark. An agent gave me a back-up flight out of Chicago but once through security, I learned that an earlier flight to Chicago was also delayed so I got myself a seat on that one. I made it to South Bend at the original time, got an Uber ride, and was home to struggle with a key that would not open the door. Jim was on his way home by that time--assuring me that he could see well enough to drive--and we were both happy to be home and together.
It takes so much effort and energy to travel. I kept thinking that maybe it was getting too difficult for me to do it by myself at age 70. I put a little note in my purse that gave emergency phone numbers for each stage of my journey with a short recap of my strange TGA episode last February. But then I remember that travel is rough even when you are young and I did handle all the rough parts and I had lovely times with my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren.
I am very happy to be home again with my husband--and to have a day ahead of laundry, groceries, cooking, and not much else.
 |
| A thin layer of ice--Mt. View Park |
The boys fixed their own lunches and spent lots of time on electronics and homework. I went for a lovely walk. This was an easy grandmother gig! Susan was home around 4--all went well for her travel. My Facebook feed and my text messages are full of protest news and photos. Dan sent photos of large crowds in NYC; Sue sent one from Grand Rapids. People are protesting in South Bend. I have sent five supportive email messages to Republican senators who are objecting to Trump's immigration bans. My plan is to encourage principled Republican lawmakers.
Monday: Susan and I had a great supper Sunday evening and chat over red wine while J and four friends played a board game downstairs. It was good to hear their voices having a great time. Because Susan does not really need help during the week, I rebooked my flight for tomorrow. The extra $200 is OK--my husband is worth it!
Travel stress made sleep come again with difficulty. Jeff's car showed a warning light so a trip to Gladwyne was iffy with his vehicle. I don't like driving especially on interstates--and now in a rental car--but when Laura sent a photo of two of her little ones anticipating Grandma's visit, I knew I had to give it a try.
At 10:15 I went to Liliepie's Bakery to have coffee with the Moorheads, friends from NCSU days, and their daughter-in-law Michelle, a lovely young woman who is undergoing chemotherapy. I had prayed for her and emailed her and it was so good to meet her and to catch up with old friends.
A brisk walk and a little nap and I feel much better and ready for the next step in my adventure.
_____________
Hertz gave me a bright blue Ford Focus. I confess to a Trader Joe's stop before leaving Princeton to stock up on my very favorite candy bars--Milk Chocolate Truffle. I will try to portion out the five of them so they last for a while!
The traffic was not bad, but it started to snow and I could not figure out the headlights. Every once in a while they came on automatically but not consistently. Once I got to Gladwyne, I got out the manual and it will be OK tomorrow.
A and I had some playtime. At age two, he speaks much longer sentences and really knows how to play with his trains, legos, toy kitchen, etc. I told him I had something for him in my suitcase and he immediately said that he had a birthday a week ago. I thought that was pretty good that he made that association.
Michael, Laura and I had a great soup supper which was prepared by the nanny. The older ones were busy with various things, including Kindles, of course. And now two of the four are in bed while the older two watch a TV show with their dad.
Tuesday: I heard A during the night and apparently (one of Ruth's favorite words!) Laura was up with him for an hour before she gave up and let him fuss by the door where he sleeps on the floor--rejecting his comfortable bed. He then slept until 7:30. I had been awake for a while and went to get him at that point. It was a busy breakfast time and get ready for school time and by 9 am, all were out of the house except Laura and me.
I left around 9:45 and returned the rental car with the only problem being finding a gas station to fill up. Susan picked me up and brought me to Princeton Junction, I got on the 11:40 train and learned that my flight would be delayed out of Newark. An agent gave me a back-up flight out of Chicago but once through security, I learned that an earlier flight to Chicago was also delayed so I got myself a seat on that one. I made it to South Bend at the original time, got an Uber ride, and was home to struggle with a key that would not open the door. Jim was on his way home by that time--assuring me that he could see well enough to drive--and we were both happy to be home and together.
It takes so much effort and energy to travel. I kept thinking that maybe it was getting too difficult for me to do it by myself at age 70. I put a little note in my purse that gave emergency phone numbers for each stage of my journey with a short recap of my strange TGA episode last February. But then I remember that travel is rough even when you are young and I did handle all the rough parts and I had lovely times with my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren.
I am very happy to be home again with my husband--and to have a day ahead of laundry, groceries, cooking, and not much else.
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