Just a few random thoughts...
I went to my aunt's funeral Wednesday. It was a 7 1/2 hour drive up, and the same back. I'm grateful my DH offered to drive. I would have flown had I gone by myself. I don't do so well driving anything over an hour and a half. The road puts me to sleep.
It was great to see my cousins! I wish they didn't live a state away. I didn't get there in time for visitation, but I did get to socialize with my cousins that evening and the next day. The service for my aunt was held graveside and the preacher did a nice job. This is a photo of my aunt and dad when they were fairly young.
Something I realized is that when I talk about my dad to my children, I always forget that they were only 8, close to 9 years old, when he died, and they don't have the memories of him when they were babies and toddlers. They remember some things, but they don't see him the same way I do. I wish I could be The Giver in the book of the same niame who was able to impart memories to others. It would create such a warm, comforting feeling, but then again, it would create sadness that he is no longer here. My kids really missed out on getting to know him in their teenage and young adult peers. He was such a great Papaw and a wonderful man. Sometimes, I wonder, "What if?" But it's useless thinking like that. I just feel so bad that they never knew him as well as I did because his life was cut short way too soon.
~heavy sigh~
My husband and I spent a night in San Antonio this weekend for his birthday. It was loads of fun! We didn't do anything "new," meaning we have been there many times and done the same things, but it was still enjoyable. We stayed at a beautiful, modern hotel on the Riverwalk, Hotel Valencia. We went to the Menger Hotel, founded in 1859. They are billed as the "...oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi." George Washington, General Robert E. Lee, Ulyses S. Grant, and Dwight Eisenhower were all guests of the Menger Hotel. The hotel also holds the unofficial title of "most haunted hotel in Texas." I wouldn't go to the bathroom while we were there this time because last tie I did, I didn't feel like I was alone although there were no other women in there. We love the bar. It's so unique! Here is what it looked like in early days:
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| photo credit |
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| Photo Credit |
When we left the Menger, we walked over to the Alamo and walked around the grounds. It is such a pretty, peaceful area, very unlike its original intention.
We had dinner on the Riverwalk, yummy Tex Mex. And we spent hours at the piano bar at Pat O'Brien's. Needless to say, we didn't get much sleep that night. We checked out, had breakfast burritos for brunch, and headed home. It was quite relaxing.
What is ONE GOOD THING about today?
For me, it's my twins, especially when they're being silly!
She's in England for the semester, and he is here, and they are actually missing each other. Witness this conversation between them today:
He's still taking care of her in his dreams! It melted my heart. That is DEFINITELY one good thing!
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| copyright 2016 DLA |
Time for Coffee Chat
What is ONE GOOD THING about today?
For me, it's my twins, especially when they're being silly!
She's in England for the semester, and he is here, and they are actually missing each other. Witness this conversation between them today:
He's still taking care of her in his dreams! It melted my heart. That is DEFINITELY one good thing!
The only upside to funerals, in my opinion, is getting a chance to visit with family you might not see for long stretches of time. Glad you enjoyed seeing your cousins, even if the circumstances were sad. LOVE that picture of your aunt and dad!!
ReplyDeleteYou regaling your kids with stories of your dad is the best way to keep his memory alive.
What a fun weekend for your hubby's birthday! That's a place I've always wanted to go, especially since friends have described how awesome (and historical) it is.
Your twins are awesome! I love that exchange and your son 'taking care' of your daughter in his dreams. They'll have a bond that will last forever!! :)
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So nice that you got a chance to visit with your relatives - even if the occasion was sad. My kids never really got a chance to know their grandparents as they also passed already, and mine are still young. They have no real memory of them. But when I am doing stuff like baking bread or pies, I tell them about being in the kitchen with my grandma and how she taught me stuff. Or being in the barn with my grandpa working and riding horses. Then they get to know them a bit. We are lucky now to have my parents living in the same town, so they get to see their own grandparents quite often! They will have great memories of them, like I do of mine.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely little trip you had! I love old hotels like that and I would have loved to stay in a haunted hotel!!! How cool.
I hope my own children keep that good aspect to their relationship as they grow. That is one BIG thing!!! :)