Looking Glass

 I have noted in many blog posts of writing about my life's history in order to lead readers up to the beginning of this blog, five years ago. I opted not to start at the beginning of my time, although that is important to write about at some point; childhood memories, family happenings and the like. But, not today.  I debated about starting at the middle of my life which would peg me at 27 years of age, as I turn 54 this year.  At that point in time, I gave birth to my third child, had been married for 7 years and was a "stay at home mom," raising the kids and that first husband. Despite the importance of that year in my life, I didn't want to start there today either.  I chose not to start at the beginning nor the middle, but at a pivotal time in my young life; age fifteen. It was the year my mother uprooted me from my family and hometown in Minnesota to move across the country to Washington state. This seeme...

  I wasn't part of the gathering nor was I a fly on the wall the previous day when my kids met with their father, for the first time in a decade and a half. Therefore, their encounter will be difficult to describe as I had to rely on their explanation of the gathering, when the five of us met for brunch the day after.  We met at a casino/restaurant to converse over a Sunday brunch. When first seated we chose to get a morning beverage and food to help alleviate the kids' affects of being up late into the night for two nights in a row. Plus, I didn't want to seem over anxious to hear how the private event played out. Between the four of them taking turns sharing their viewpoint and my asking careful questions, I learned that the gathering went as they hoped. Hugs started their six hour visit and sharing general stories of the past fifteen years ensued, mostly from the kids. I gather their dad didn't have too many proud...

 In about eight hours, my kids will be seeing their father for the first time in years. It appears they are all anxious and my daughter has more excitement about the pending meeting than her brothers. Her and her husband landed in Seattle about 9:30 PM last night and she called me while enroute to pick up their rental car. Last night was being spent painting the town red as her older brother turned 31 a couple of days ago and they were having a delayed celebration. Seeing his dad for the first time in years, at the age of 31, blows my mind. It blows my mind I have a 31 year old first off, and I know he has a lot of pent up questions and resentments he is placing on the back burner for today's visit.  Here's to my kids...cheers, good luck and I hope it goes the way you want. I will be looking forward to the debriefing tomorrow. My daughter and son in law will be spending Sunday and Sunday night with me.

 Cautiously optimistic is the phrase my daughter has used often of late. Her term is revolving around a pending meeting with her father, of whom she hasn't seen for about 15 years. She was a 14 year old sophomore the last time she saw him, my eldest was 15 1/2 and on the verge of learning to drive. My youngest son was in 8th grade at this time of the separation and divorce from my alcoholic husband. For whatever reason, since he couldn't have control of us anymore, he disappeared from our lives, his family's lives and the community, to pursue a life of hidden, who knows what.  Over the past few years, when my daughter Googled him, all that seemed to turn up was a rap sheet of him being jailed for "Possession of Illegal Drugs". She spent more time the year prior to her wedding searching for him as this was another milestone in her life he was going to miss, and she wanted to at least tell him so. She has gone through many emotions, as they all have, during ...

It will look better with a push up bra and girdle and proper shoe wear. But this is the dress I found as my Mother of the Bride Dress. Per texting my daughter throughout the ordeal, it was her favorite as well. Hope it's not too matronly.

 I could feel myself getting more tired as time passed at this party at the Heights. My feet were quite sore as my heeled boots had been on me for at least 18 hours, since before dawn, when I journeyed to the airport to catch my flight, in ample time. Some of Shauna's new family members. Goofing around with the kids; Lights in the Heights. Mom and Daughter   Before we actually left the party, myself, my daughter, her fiance' and a few friends trekked through the Heights to admire the lighting displays on the houses. By this time, we all were a bit tipsy and Shauna & Eric were on a natural high to boot. We had a lot of fun walking through the neighborhood and sharing the excitement with each other. Not only were they getting hugs and congratulations from all present, they were getting text messages and phone calls, as the word was spreading. We eventually hailed a cab for the transport to Shauna and Eric's home.  The next am, Sunday was relaxing for me, ...

  Eric's parents picked me up at the Houston airport. We talked almost non stop of the night's pending event. We reassured each other of our pride for the others child and the magical match this couple made. After a light meal at a local cafe, we retreated to their home for a bit of relaxation and for them to ready themselves for the big event. Hustling onto the bus.  The plan per Eric's instruction, was to have as many as 50 people meet at their joint friends' house, and at 8:00pm, a bus that he had chartered would take the large group to the "party house." In meeting so many of their friends and family, I was often enlightened with the respect this couple earned from so many people. Every soul present was as excited to see this occurrence as myself and Eric's parents. Everyone was so respectful of the fact that I was Shauna's mother, and Eric's to be, mother-in-law.  The bus was loaded and on it's way to the destination site of their ...

 I sit here in an unusual situation. Despite the late hour and the long day spent yesterday, I am wide awake now. I type this from a computer that I am not used to, a laptop, so I feel awkward while typing. I am definitely grateful for spell check tonight.   I received an unusual phone call two Mondays ago. While sitting at my computer at home,on that late afternoon, my cell phone lit up with the name, Eric, my daughter's boyfriend. A feeling of depredation hit me as he has only called me one time. That was in October to wish me a happy birthday. I answered my cell phone and was pleasant, despite my wondering of the call. We had the usual pleasantries and he didn't sound worried, so my concern disappeared. My daughter must be OK.  He explained the call was to get my blessing to ask my daughter to marry him. He explained his crazy love and pure happiness with her. Of course, tears leaked from my eyes during his explanation of this and during the granting of my permission...

  So, there it is. Mom moved 10 days ago and my brother followed a few short hours later. She by airplane with another brother, he by truck and trailer with a brother in law. Both of their journeys were without incident. Apparently, Continental Airlines treated mom well, and gave her much attention. My brother's truck held out for the trip and no inclement weather hindered them, the whole time. So, my mom is staying with my sister in WI, and Bro is staying with his daughter in MN, temporary for them both until they get their own digs. My mom was to go into an assisted living facility, but they declined her application due to her challenged walking and need for an electric scooter. Really? Really? so, they are off to look at other facilities in my hometown, Austin, MN. (Yes, the home of Hormel). Yes, I've heard all of the jokes about Spam, you can imagine. It's okay. (smile here).   While talking to my sister on the phone, (the one who is housing mom, temporarily), I had to...