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| Me, Penny, Bunny, Barbara |
41 degrees/clear skies/calm winds
Terre Haute, Indiana
It's nice to be able to sit this evening, the last that we'll be staying in Mom's apartment. After next week, it will revert back to the senior community and made ready for the next occupant.
It served Mom well.
As you can imagine, the past three days have been hurried. With the thermometer recording zero, we left on snow covered roads Monday morningand skidded our way through northern Wisconsin until we could finally drive on bare pavement further south.
It was good to see cousins that have only been names for the past fifty years. Penny and I have talked sporadically, but not seen each other for twenty five years. It's been over fifty since Bunny and I have met face to face. Cousin Benny and his wife drove over from Bettendorf, Iowa, so it was a real family gathering.
Benny's first words were, "My God, you look just like my father and Uncle Dave." His father was my Uncle Bugsy. Of course, Dave was my dad. The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.
Mom's funeral was beautiful. With only twenty or so in attendance, it was fairly informal and time was spent before the actual service standing in a circle, sharing stories of Mom from years past.
The service was just what Mom wanted, simple, short, yet meaningful. Her favorite hymns were played and goodbyes brief, yet touching.
Mom was never one for standing on ceremony. As both she and Dad were fond of saying, "Let's get this show on the road."
Burial was just as meaningful. The right words and prayers were said, flowers from the bouquet adorning the casket were handed out, and final goodbyes to Mom were said.
Most of the group went out for lunch and broke up after. Some headed west, others north, south, and we pointed the car east towards Indiana.
I didn't really want to enter Mom's apartment last night. After all, what's Mom's apartment without Mom? It wasn't as bad as I feared and honestly, Sargie and I were so tired that we'd have slept on a park bench with a newspaper for a blanket.
Today saw a meeting with Barb, John, Sargie and me, to go through some of Mom's belongings. It didn't take long as they'd done much of the work previously.
Sargie and I spent much of the afternoon shopping. Well, she shopped. I might have remained in the car at some point and closed my eyes. Later today, we had a wonderful visit with Mom's best friend, Marion. I took my favorite carving that I'd given Mom in the past and presented it to Marion saying Mom would want her to have it.
We had a good conversation and with lots of hugs, goodbyes, and I love you's, we promised to keep in touch.
Marion doesn't know what that means. I've written Mom every single day for the past twenty years. It's a habit I have every intention of keeping. Marion better check her inbox daily. I guarantee there'll be a morning email from the UP.
Sargie and I were all done in this evening. We ordered a pizza to be delivered and are doing some last minute packing. Tomorrow will see us point the car towards the north, saying goodbye to the central Midwest, and heading back home.
I imagine we'll arrive on Pentoga Road by late Thursday evening. On the other hand, who knows? We're both exhausted, both mentally and physically, and are ready for some exclusive Sargie and Tom time. If we find somewhere/someplace interesting along the way, we may hole up for an extra day.
On the other hand, there's no place like home and we're both feeling the gentle pull of Pentoga Road.
After all, a man's work is never done.
So are the tales from Pentoga Road...
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