The Journey Begins

As Easter Sunday approaches, during this time of pray and contemplation, I've once again been thinking about my life.  I have many questions, thoughts and frankly some very real fears that keep popping into my mind as I plan for this journey southbound.  It's all starting to get real.  The house finally sold, movers set up, and even the boys have a mover taking them down to Sissy's house, ahead of my departure.  It's getting real folks, this 2800 mile road trip is my last big move.  The next one will be to be the the old age home but I'm not ready for that yet.  My plan is to live large for the next 20 plus years and enjoy every minute.

Moving again is not easy at almost 70.  I've enjoyed this house, but Boise simply didn't suit me.  The climate is too dry, too cold and the wild fire smoke every summer was horrible.  The little aches and pains are evident, and the thought processes are different this time.  I guess knowing this move is forever makes it even more daunting as there will never be a 40th, 50th or even 60th birthday.  80 is ten years from now, OMG!  My dad used to say that getting old is not for sissies!  No kidding, I'm starting to feel it.  

The worry and stress over the last few weeks have started to get to yours truly.  I'm doing this all by myself again, it's not as easy as it was 10 years ago when I moved from the Covington house to Kent, or even from Kent to Boise.  This time, I've been even more diligent in my planning, and I'm frankly extremely anal retentive.  The budget has been kept close to the penny and I've thought through every decision very carefully.  Money does not grow on trees so budgeting and careful planning have been my mantras.  I've needed a few things before I leave Boise as Florida living is different and these are necessities that need to arrive with me.  Ceiling fans I've been told are a big must, so three have been ordered and delivered as I want them to be installed immediately.  I got rid of a lot of furniture as I'm downsizing space wise in the new house.  I had a lot of stuff, some since college, it needed to be gone.  The beauty of this move is I'm going to buy some new furniture.  It's time to upgrade from my old used hand me downs, to new furniture that's more modern and durable.  I can't wait to furniture shop!

While purging and sorting, I came across some of my old books and even toys.  I found my Barbies and all her clothes.  If I wasn't so busy, I would have sorted the dresses and dressed up Barbie and Midge like I used to.  I found my Nancy Drew books, Stuart Little, the 8 Ball and a ballet bag from when I wanted to be a ballerina.  I never did get the dance lessons but 65 years later, I still have that shoe box!  I found cards and letters, sweet remembrances of my grandparents and friends from years past.  I found all my old record albums, school papers and a couple of dirty books I snuck in the house that my mother never found.  They all hold memories dear and without this move, they would have been tucked away forever.

Thank goodness Toni is taking this "road trip" with me again.  Driving to Orlando alone does not appeal to me.  It's going to be a long, three day journey but we will laugh, talk smack, stop for fast food and enjoy each other's company as we always have.  A better friend could not be found and I pray we see each other more than what we have over the last 5 years.  Hey, I'm four miles from Animal Kingdom and the beach is an hour east of me.  Disney is close and the new EPIC Universal is right next door.  

The resources and activities Florida has to offer are endless.  Cape Canaveral is close by and from what I've come to understand, the space launches can be seen from my back yard.  I do plan to drive over to see one up close and personal but it would be nice to watch from the comfort of my patio.  I want to see an alligator but not in my yard.  Manatees are abundant as are plenty of birds.  It's going to be humid, I'm prepared and I hope I'll be better preserved as I do not want to look like a dried up old prune in 10 years.  Hopefully the humidity will keep the wrinkles at bay.  Christmas in 80 degrees is starting to sound better and better!

All told, this is a positive move for it being my last one.  Who would have thought my forever home would be in Winter Garden, Florida! Hey, Florida is a solid Red State so I'll adjust quickly.  Therefore I'm getting excited, anxious and frankly a bit scared but it's going to be great.  Let's get this show on the road and let the journey begin!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  

~Proverbs 3:5-6

Happy Birthday In Heaven

As I type this blog, I'm thinking about my mother as today would have been her 100th birthday.  It's amazing to think about and as she always said; "you know what that makes you!"  She was 30 when I was born, so enough said.

Mom was a sweet loving soul.  She loved my dad without reservation and was always his biggest champion.  She spoiled him rotten; he loved it and I know he repaid her in kind.  Dinner was on the table every night by six, after of course a glass of wine or cocktail and discussion about his day.  He always said he'd never trade her in as it would be too hard to train a new model.  That would have been impossible as my mother was one of a kind.

Mom gave us 100%.  She was the best cook I knew of and still today, can't be beat on her chocolate cake, molasses cookies or Christmas treats.  She would bake tons of cookies at Christmas and would give boxes of them as gifts.  They were always enjoyed and never a crumb was left behind.  We always had plenty, always food on the table and a kiss good night, every night.  My mother was one of the most loving souls on the planet.

As they got older, they traveled extensively first in their RV, then driving trips by car and hotel stays along the way.  Finally, they traveled by train, through Canada, the east coast and back to Los Angeles.  When my dad lost his eyesight, Mom was in the driver's seat and happily drove them wherever their hearts would take them.  At 80, they followed the Mississippi down from St. Paul to New Orleans!   We would get postcards from their different destinations, and I still have them packed away as they are treasures that I could never let go of.  They loved their Hawaii visits to see the grandchildren who lived so far away.  I'd get a two-hour phone call when they returned, telling me of their adventures and how much the kids had grown since they'd last visited.  First, they'd visit the family on Lanai, then they would retreat to Molokai to recharge and enjoy the quiet of the island.  When they were about my age now, they rode the mules down to Father Damion's leper colony.  It's been closed for many years and at last check it's a museum at the bottom of a steep hill that only mules can access.  I cannot imagine that journey at my age and I'm fit and active.   Mom and Dad were exceptional.

Their last twelve years were spent close to us in Washington.  Mom was not going to let Kristina live too far away as she was bound and determined to be a part of her life.  I'm eternally grateful for this as they helped me out more than I could ever have imagined.  Kristina got to be close to one set of grandparents and loved them like I did my own.  Mom and Kristina had a special bond, and I know that Mom is watching over her, laughing and shaking her head at the same time.  She loved Kristina with all her heart just as she loved her other three.  My mother was one of the most devoted grandmothers I know of and I hope to emulate her someday with one of my own.  I know Nikki, Kelli, Richard and Kristina greatly miss them both and remember them with love in their hearts.

My dad left us in 2012.  Mom never did recover from his passing.  She was with me when John died, and for that alone, I can never thank her enough.  She held Kristina and I together and kept us sane.  I retired in early 2014 and was with her consistently until she passed in November 2014.  We spent a lot of time together in those last months. Since I was alone as well, we had each other for company.  We talked about the past, our lives and remembered the good times and some of the harder times.    My biggest regret is I never had a picture taken with her as an adult.  Why?  Who knows, but in my list of regrets, that's one of them. 

Therefore, as I end this tribute to my mother, I wish her a glorious happy 100th birthday in heaven.  I miss you mom, and wish you were here.  These last ten years since you left have been happy, and some of it very sad.  Somehow however, I know you know and probably have shed a few tears with me.  Happy Birthday Mommy, keep a place in heaven for me and tell those with you how much I love and miss them.