Today April 17th, I got up too early for my liking, got myself showered, dressed, and out the door to my job. My husband of 24.5 years was, for a change awake this AM. He has an early appointment in Downtown DC ... I got to say "have a good day", and "be careful".
As I sat down at my desk, brewed up that first cup of tea of the day I was reminded of how long my day is going to be and why.
A Girls' Group Dad lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, his service is tonight. I and others are driving from near and far to Cumberland, MD to attend and lend our support to his family.
I would be a flaming hypocrite if I said this adult was a dear friend, in fact I interacted with his wife more and frankly we weren't all that friendly. But when the Master's Call comes too soon - to a Girls' Group Dad who was indeed, one of the good guys, you go, make the effort and bury all the stupid crap.
You find something to say, and try not to think, I survived, he didn't. I was lucky. SO very very lucky.
I am reminded that while the underlying issue was cancer there are oceans of differences, Stage 1 breast versus Stage 4 lung, his had moved to his brain, my stayed put in the removed body part. Mr. B smoked a long time - but again, no one deserves to leave so early when he still has so much ahead of him.
I will admit this loss, again while not a close friend, has hit home in a way I didn't expect. The fact that he's only 8 years old than me, that I looked at my own spousal unit and wondered and worried - then in a twist that is only me, imagined the funeral with my in-laws and the vast amounts of liquor I would consume after the screaming was over.... Any wonder why my ticket is already punched for the fire-y depths? That previous statement- states evidence number 873.2.
So tonight, I will work all day, drive with others another 2 hours north in rush hour traffic, attend his service and pray for his family, return home, and thank the good Lord above for all my blessings. It doesn't feel like enough, but it's what I can do today.
*sigh*
Enough of that.... depressing and unproductive.
On to something fun... ish. Last weekend, in a fit of I don't know what my darling husband managed to make it home - EARLY. I know! I wasn't done getting ready and in walked Bubba. I darn near hit the floor... instead I kicked it into high gear and got out packed and out the door in record time. Heck I even managed not to forget anything -- well that I really needed. Wanted to bring Nana the 2 other seasons of Downton Abby... but forgot those. Its Ok, I have a do-over in two weeks... THAT will be a much more interesting and blog worthy trip. Stay tuned.
This past weekend can be summed up as... we rode, or in Bubba's case he drove... we drove from MD to PA then once in PA we drove up and back and around. But I will admit it was worth the trip.
I am sure my sister's friends have said something to her about her pushy sister and her trying to run the Chinese Auction - but hey when someone says they don't know what to do and I've done a few of those... I well yes, took over. Forgive my type A personality. Its what I do.
Fun part of the weekend, was when my sister's darling step daughter showed up... and yet didn't come in the house. Hummm - we left early enough to swing by the in-laws.. for a BRIEF visit. Insert snarky comment here -- but seeing my sister's face was enough. THAT is one hornet's nest I really don't want to even start to poke at....
The nest I will toss a stick at is my Mother-in-law.... my darling husband called her, said we'd be down in an hour, and she LEAVES. She had to take the kids home , apparently the youngest of the brood up there was at Children's Hospital because he's got a double hernia... poor baby. Apparently his nether regions are swelled unnaturally and they had to operate. Poor Baby.
Oh a side note, watching my husband and his father discuss this - made their facial expressions pretty darn priceless.
So - back to our tale, OK baby in hospital, Mom with Baby, you couldn't wait another 10 minutes for us to get there?? Its not like you didn't know when we were coming!!! So Bubba in his wisdom, dumped and we got the tale and we left. And in a move that surprised everyone... Bubba Sr come out and said Hi and chatted. I KNOW! Bubba Sr, father of social phobic Bubba Jr - came out to the car to say Hi to my parents... color me amazed!
We rode the rest of the way home, got up Sunday morning, had breakfast and headed out the door to home. Much smoother (less traffic) ride home. Bubba got to ride his motorcycle, I got to finish a book, and Shelby got to nap in the sun. It made for general happiness in our world, the next trip home - that will be another tale.
We are headed back to attend the niece's going away party - she joined the Army Reserves... Her mama ain't happy and is going to stay that way when princess come back a changed woman. There is going to be a lot of growing up this summer for niece D - and it's about time. I basically told Bubba he had to go, D needs his support because she's not getting it from home. Of course that was AFTER I found out the darn party is on Sunday and we'll be getting home late. BFD.
All right off to be a productive member of society... and eat lunch.
Later
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