(A very, very late update I’m afraid…)
I FINALLY returned from a trip to see mother this past week. I’d been wanting to see her since early April, but things never seemed to work out. I finally got the opportunity to go despite some less than ideal weather.
We had an enjoyable visit, and I took a lot of pictures. Then I sent some of those pictures to one of the ladies I write for. She observed how happy mother looked and how close we appeared to be as mother and son. She is correct, and I try not to think about a future that may not have her in it for whatever reasons; ie., sickness, accident, etc.
Mom showed me one of the new Scheels stores in town, and we were both visibly impressed. Of course I took my camera to get lots of pictures. Naturally what caught my eye the most was the large aquarium toward the front of the store. If you google Scheels Aquarium you will find some interesting information about it. (Naturally it got me to thinking about story ideas.)
Sadly I was unable to visit with my sister. When I got to her building there was a notice posted on the door about a stomach virus going around and that perhaps a visit should be put off until later. Mom has plans of going to see her soon and I hope to hear that she is doing all right and that she did not get too sick.
Rent is going up here and I am in the middle of trying to decide should I stay or should I go (sounds like the lyrics to a Clash song). I moved last year, and the thought of moving again makes me groan and wince. But change is a part of life, and if I do decide to move I know it will all work out for the best.
I wish to thank those of you who have donated and who have purchased stories at the UWFetish store. I actually made enough to pay for fuel and motels for this past trip. Every sale and donation helps, and I am very appreciative. You have all been very kind to me and I greatly appreciate you stopping by and finding some story to enjoy.
Warm weather is coming and I hope you all have a fantastic summer. Enjoy your time with friends and family. All too often we read stories that remind us how precious life is and how short it can be sometimes. So enjoy each day and take good care of yourselves and your families.
Thanks for stopping by…
Addendum
I wrote this so quick that I totally forgot to mention that mom and I went to the cemetery where her many relatives are buried. It is also where my grandfather is interred. He served in World War II.
It is sobering to see how many are buried there who died in service to our country. Had he not returned safely I have to question if I would even be here today. There are so many who gave the ultimate sacrifice. I shudder to contemplate what might have happened had we been forced to invade the islands of Japan and the countless number of lives that would have been lost on both sides.
Mom left some flowers there as she told me how people back in her day seemed to be a lot more respectful of the dead. Maybe she’s right. But what really sobered me was when she pointed at a certain section of the cemetery.
“You see how many flowers are missing from those graves over there?” Then she pointed at a newer section and replied, “It’s because the people who would have brought flowers are now buried over in that section.” She knows so many friends and family interred there that it made me realize just how old we both are.
I’m not sure why I decided to add this part. But for some reason it seems pertinent at this time of year. Maybe it is meant for someone… or maybe it is just meant for me for reflection. If that is the case, please don’t mind me as I occasionally need to be shaken out of my daily routine to be reminded that there are greater things in life to think about every now and then…