Monday, July 19, 2010

Sneaks up on me

Memories of mom that is.

My mom passed away almost a year ago. It was the end of August last year, and every now and then there are reminders. The holidays especially and when I had my birthday earlier this month. It was late in the afternoon when I found myself expecting a call from mom.

The latest "memory" moment happened at the eye doctor last week. I hadn't been in awhile, (shame on me) and I had to fill out a new form with name, address, insurance, and so on and so on. Then, when it came to the line, "Nearest relative NOT residing with you that we should contact in case of emergency," that had always besn mom, since I moved out when I got married many years ago. I thought of mom briefly, then wrote down my oldest daughter's info since she is now out on her own.

I don't know how long these reminders will keep coming up. Not that it's a sad reminder, it just gives you a moment to pause and think of those that have passed on.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Mercy sakes alive

I'm back from vacation, suburned and broke! I had a nice break and I hope everyone had a nice 4th of July.

On June 30th, the family left Fairhaven and drove to Weston, WV. My son was there for a fire fighter academy and this was probably the longest one-day drive we had taken since my mom drove my brother and I to Disney World in 1972. We drove 13 hours through Massachusetts, Rhode Island, good ole 95 south in Connecticut, NY, New Jersey, Pennsylvannia (that's a WIDE state!) Maryland and then West Virginia. It gave me a whole new appreciation for truckers. My wife and I took turns driving, switching about every 2 hours and I cannot imagine what it must be like to drive cross-country like this every day or every few days as an occupation. Stopping at a couple of truck stops I discovered that these folks truly are a family and as you look at all the different merchandise they are hauling, they truly do keep this country moving. I salute ya!