This weekend I flew out to Boise for Grandma Ruby's funeral. It was a very beautiful ceremony. Angie and I spoke about her life and the memories we girls had of her, and Dad related what he was grateful to his parents for and what he learned as he took care of his mom as she grew older. A hospice chaplain sang some songs, and his voice was so beautiful. He comforted Grandma in her last days. She loved music, especially gospel hymns, and so I grateful he was there for her.
It was so nice to see cousins, aunts and uncles from the Hambelton side again. It has been years and years since I have seen most of them. They all have a great sense of humor, so despite the somberness of the circumstances we still managed to find something to laugh about.
I was so happy to be able to fly out and be there for the funeral. Grandma was a great influence in my life and, being away these last few years, it has been hard to register that her health was declining as much as it was. It's sort of like thinking of your niece as the same age you saw her last, despite years passing in between. I think I was able to say good-bye and be happy for her to be with Grandpa again.
Meanwhile...back at home, debauchery reigned. Pizza and hoagies were the staples of the diet despite my leaving leftovers; eating in the living room was allowed; Apollo apparently "drove" the van through the neighborhood; the kitchen looked exactly the same as when I left it (which wasn't pretty). When the cats away...
To my dear husband's credit, he did get the kids off to school on time on Friday and somehow entertained Apollo while being on conference calls all day. Saturday he took Apollo to his friend's birthday party at Jump U. Apollo was the comic relief at cake time: He "snuck" the last piece of cake (despite a stealthy approach and looking over his shoulder, the parents were all well aware of this theft), and then stuck his fork in it and lifted the cake like an overgrown lollipop and proceeded to lick the icing off it like it was an ice cream cone.
Athena also had spa night for Activity Day girls. It was supposed to be a mother-daughter activity but alas, I couldn't be there. Luckily, our surrogate sister here in Jersey took her in my place. They both said they had a blast. Athena took pictures so I wouldn't miss anything. Thanks, Jess!
As for the rest, I think it was just Brian's way of saying I shouldn't go away and leave him alone again for awhile...
I'm glad you were able to see family and find closure. That's always important! As for husbands keeping our house the way it "should be", you had it right when you said " When the cat's away..." We will see if my hubby does any better. although he won't have the kids ;)
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