Home 4-29-12

Home 4-29-12

We hung out in Springfield Oregon for a while to see Scott’s old surf buddies.  We went to a couple of garage sales.  I found a pink wine glass to take the place of one that was broken over the summer (Cody).  They had one, just one, that was just like the ones I have.  It cost an entire dollar.  What a lucky find.

We met Scott’s friends at Shari’s.  They hadn’t seen each other in 40 years.  They talked about the good old days.  Russell has Parkinson’s.  He has had it for 20 years.  You know when you have this disease your hands usually shake.  He had a surgery in the brain (actually 2) where they burned off lesions and then did something else with some sort of wire.  Anyhow his hands don’t shake at all.  He does have trouble walking but does walk.  Not only do his hands not shake but he also took up painting two years ago.  And he is a fabulous painter.  They could sell for hundreds of dollars.  They are really good.  He paints each one for someone special in his life.  He is a true inspiration of never give up.  He took his love of surfing and need to give back and started to judge surf contests.  He couldn’t surf but he still wanted to be part of it.  Then he found painting.  He has a very positive out look on life.  He has things he wants to do and he will eventually do them all.  His friends and family are very supportive and willing to help him in any way they can.  The support he gets keeps him going.

Scott’s other friend that we met helps people who are in prison or coming out of prison.  He works for a nonprofit that puts together programs to educate and help the people develop skills they can use to become productive citizens.  They help them get back into society and feel good about themselves so they don’t turn to drugs, alcohol, violence or other things.  What a good program.

Our drive home was beautiful.  We really have a gorgeous world that God gave us.  It was tough driving.  A few times I could feel my chest tighten up and the tears come.  When we got home we were first greeted by Klyde.  He talked to me just like I thought he would.  I gave him a little piece of bacon.  He followed me around a little.  I had to go in a get the deaf dog Princess.  She came outside with all the wiggles.  She enjoyed her little bit of bacon.  Dude never moved form the bed.  I had to go upstairs to find him in his usual spot at the foot of our bed.  I gave him a hug and pet.  I think they were all happy to see us. 

Our niece, Janice, was at the house to greet us.  She had the house all clean.  That was so nice of her to make sure we came home to a clean house.  She even scooped all of the poop. 

I went into Kathryn’s room later.  This was the hard part that made me cry and question God.  She still seems so alive.  When I go to the blog and her picture comes up with that excited look on her face.  I can’t think of her as gone because she looks so alive.  How could she not be here with all of that life in her?  Most people think she had a long drawn out ordeal.  They can’t believe that the photos that we have of her just a few months before she died.  She went to Mexico with us in July.  She made the backdrop and cake for my birthday party.  She went to school and Houston and planned a big Christmas Party.  It went fast.  But I guess that is better than prolonged suffering.  The last week was hard. 

I didn’t sleep very well either and the Printer made some noises this morning around 5:45.  Kathryn just kept coming to me in my mind and I couldn’t sleep.  Once I wake it is hard to get back to sleep if I do at all.  My mind just won’t stop. 

I went through some mail and did a few other things but then I just crashed.  By 8pm I was out on the couch.  I couldn’t move.  My body was so tired.  Maybe my sleep on the couch was enough.

It’s a new day now and I’m up and ready to get some things done.

Have a Great Day!