November 16, 2010

• Saying Good Bye

  We left for Amarillo on Friday morning in a horrible rain storm.  It felt like the weather was against us for most of the way. 

  When we reached the turn off for Corn & Thomas, Oklahoma, I was shocked to learn we hadn’t been on the road for several hours, as I had thought!  The driving wind made us feel like the past hour was much, much longer.  We were tense from watching out for other drivers.

  There was a pleasant break in the weather, when we came to the Oklahoma/Texas border.

   When we reached Amarillo, the sides of the roads were covered in snow.

              

  I met a lady in a restroom, traveling in the opposite direction, and she said they had had about 5″ of snow in Amarillo, the night before.

  We were glad we only found lots of deep puddles, and the snow that remained did not impede our driving.

               

  Then, we set out to find a hotel and check in, before the family was due at the funeral home for the viewing. 

  NO HOTELS AVAILABLE!

  We thought, “Not seriously?  NO rooms, ANYwhere???”

  It ends up, there was a national rodeo in town and, of course, we hadn’t reserved a room in advance. 

  Our young nephew told us where his family was staying, and they had a hallway of rooms still available (at a greatly increased price, per night!).  Of course, we took it, and we were so very glad we had a nice and clean hotel room.  They also served a good breakfast in the morning for free (although the price of the room didn’t make it feel like it was “free”)!.

  The funeral plans went well, as far as everything being as the family had requested. 

  My mother in law’s mother came to the funeral, she had always been close to my father in law and liked him quite a bit.

             

  The flowers were beautiful and people didn’t send many arrangements, AS THE FAMILY HAD REQUESTED.

  Jesse was a pall bearer and that only required them lifting the casket from the wheels and into the hearse.

        

  The funeral director instructed the pall bearers to remove their flowers and place them on the casket before closing the door to the back.  I thought that was nice.

  I’ve never taken pictures at a funeral before, but I knew Jesse’s siblings (in Tacoma) might appreciate them, since they weren’t able to be there in person.

  My mother in law was so glad to see me, and said quite a few times how I have a way of making her feel calm.  She said I looked good and kept hugging me.  I’ve written letters to her (this past year) every few weeks.  She said each time she felt upset, one of my letters would arrive.  I was VERY glad I decided to make the trip. 

  It *was* stressful and Monday afternoon I started to feel chilled. Ends up I have a 100+° fever.  Rissy came down with the same thing, today.  No symptoms, just a fever and body aches.

  We left on Sunday in the early afternoon.  My favorite sister in law (Hi, Angie!    ) and Jesse’s brother were an hour behind us with their rental car and arrived at our house shortly after us. 

  Sunday night, I made a huge green salad with hot chicken slices and had pumpernickel rolls. A perfect “light meal” after all the traveling and casseroles, etc. people had brought to the house.

           

  Richard and Angie left this morning, very, VERY early, and when Jesse returned from taking them to the airport, he woke me up.  That’s when he told me,

  “My mother in law’s mother died this morning from a massive heart attack.

  It was all a bit hard to process, but we will be going back again (same time, same funeral home, this coming weekend) to take care of my mil’s mother. 

  I’m worried about my mil, needless to say.  She’s been caring for my fil for such a long time (Alzheimer’s) and was preparing to rest and make a new life (alone) when this news hit about her mother..

  Those of you who have known me a while might remember that my own Dad died last October and my brother died (suddenly) from H1N1 flu, less than 6 weeks later.

  My heart goes out to my mil and Richard, who was very close to his grandmother.

  I continue to do a little bit here and there, around the house, to put the house back together.  When we returned, things were still stacked here and there, from when the carpeting was installed.  It’s going to stay that way for a while, too!  I just can’t face wiping everything down and putting it back in the china cabinet. 

  I think I need to rest, regain my strength, and drink lots of water!

  Please keep our family in your prayers.  Prayers for us traveling safely, finances, and prayers for my mil’s heart would be greatly appreciated.

  Be Blessed  ~

  • 10:43 pm
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