While his passing makes me incredibly sad, and I still cry sometimes when I see his photo or something that reminds me of him, I'm glad he's no longer in pain.
While I love Alaska, I also love Pennsylvania. Liverpool is a very small rural town. It's a pretty, placid area. My parents' house looks out over the Susquehanna River and it's just peaceful.
I got my scrapple fix, and even managed to bring some back to Alaska. Although I've had some since my return, I'm portioning it out so I can enjoy it when I get the urge for some.
In addition to being able to be with Dad before he died, I'm so grateful for the time I was able to spend with so many family members. We're from a large family - 6 kids - and all of us were there except one sister. She's in AZ undergoing treatment for cancer and couldn't make it in.
While I was there, my sister (in-law) Karen saw to it that I was able to get out now and then, as I didn't have a rental car. We went shopping and Karen, my brother John and I took my mother out for lunch at Red Lobster (Mother's favorite restaurant).
She took me to see the play at our local high school. My little sister Luci was the director and my niece Meghan was the lead. When I was in school, we just did simple plays. These kids do musicals! This year they did "Seussical the Musical." Meg was the Cat in the Hat.
The girl who played the Grinch was also great.
The entire cast was terrific. Some of those kids have great voices. It was a really good evening, with some laughs and a few tears when we saw a note in the program from Grandma and Grandpa (my parents) wishing Meg lots of luck.
I spent a lot of time in my dad's chair on my family's front porch, watching birds and enjoying the springlike weather. There were some days with rain and temperatures in the 40s, but there were also days where the thermometer reached 60+. It was a good place to sit and reflect, and cry.
I also spent wonderful times with my sisters and my nieces and nephews. Two of my sisters and I went to order flowers for the memorial service and stopped for lunch at a local restaurant - great crab cakes and a very nice day with them. I wish I lived closer so I could spend more time with them. My sisters are amazing women and I love being with them.
I had the opportunity to spend time with nieces and nephews, some of whom I haven't seen in many years. I met the wife and soon-to-be wife of two nephews and totally enjoyed talking with them. What wonderful young adults they've become. The worst thing about living in Alaska is being so far away from my family. I missed all the years they were growing up, with just short visits over the years.
Now that I'm back home and settled back into my routine, I'm so happy to see breakup is on the way. Snow is melting, dripping off the eaves. The main roads are clear. The sun is shining. I've started moving snow off my porch so I can begin enjoying sitting out there. I made a pretty good start, but still have to get it off my benches. Soon I'll be out there for my morning coffee!
Happy Spring everyone.
1 comment:
I understand so well both the sadness over losing your dad - and missing the sound of his voice during your weekly phone call. Now that both my parents are gone, I replay some of the last conversations I had with them. I can still hear both their voices in my head, and I hope I never forget them.
The distance is definitely difficult. We miss out on so much of our family's lives. When my nephew was killed nearly two years ago, it was hard for me to imagine him as an 18 year old. I hadn't seen him since he was 13.
But yet, when I do go outside - even though I love spending time with my family - I can't wait to get 'home' to a place where it's a little less noisy and congested. Where moose come through my yard and snowshoe hares eat the birdseed.
I can't wait for spring. I'm ready to see color. Soon...
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