But last week going back in time became reality for me, and I loved it! It was bitter sweet, because it took my Uncle's funeral to get me there. I wish it could have been that long overdue visit instead. I have lost a lot of uncles and aunts in the past 15 or so years. I mostly only went to visitations when they were close enough or not at all if they were far away. But when Uncle Sam passed away I really wanted to go because I have so many precious memories of time spent at their house and fun times with my cousins.
So we, Steve and I decided to take the risk of taking Pop down to AR for his brother's funeral. At 87 it is a bit risky. Pop is a tough, determined person and he thought he would just be fine driving the 12 hour trip straight through. He did okay but he is getting older and things are harder for him. He was pretty tired when we got back.
There were so many things that I have forgotten....... I forgot that they sang German songs, My memory replayed the German prayer phrase after phrase, even though I didn't understand most of it. I had a flashback of when I was a child when I heard the words Gnauty Gottes.....and remembered wondering why they were calling God naughty. I now think that means Gracious God or something like that.
When I mentioned to Phebe that Gnauty means Grace, she got that lightbulb look and replied that she now knows the perfect nickname for her little sister Merry Grace.
They did have a very good message that I could understand, in English. And lovely English singing in perfect harmony as well. Although I can understand all of the PA Dutch, just not when they read, sing or pray in German.
This is only a small fraction of all the cars that were at the funeral. I tried to be very discreet with photos as I know they don't like having pictures taken.
I took this one at a distance so as not to be able to tell who is who there.
I wish I could have stayed longer. To visit all the places my cousins, Darwin and I used to go to. To once again drive with them through the beautiful winding roads of Eureka Springs. But, since we are not kids anymore and have other responsibilities it just wasn't possible.
Pop fell today at the bank. He thought there was only one step out of the bank where there was actually two. He had forgotten his cane again. He forgot to take it to AR as well. I thought that if mom was in her right mind she would be making sure he had it with him. I am still learning what he needs.
He said his chest was hurting and it affected his breathing. Tonight I ran over to see how he is doing and he said he was feeling much better. The pain was better and it was easier to breathe. Darwin calls him every morning and evening, so he will be keeping tabs on him.
Pop fell today at the bank. He thought there was only one step out of the bank where there was actually two. He had forgotten his cane again. He forgot to take it to AR as well. I thought that if mom was in her right mind she would be making sure he had it with him. I am still learning what he needs.
He said his chest was hurting and it affected his breathing. Tonight I ran over to see how he is doing and he said he was feeling much better. The pain was better and it was easier to breathe. Darwin calls him every morning and evening, so he will be keeping tabs on him.
No comments:
Post a Comment