With my dad safely back at home in Houston, we spent our week working and closing out the end of the year. We had a nice time with our daughter as she finished her vacation with us and prepared to leave for South America. December 31st arrived and we were off to Houston for some final activities.
Early Thursday morning the 3 of us headed out. Our first stop was my old house, the setting for our previous adventure "Operation Clean Sweep." It looked unbelieveably good. It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint, clean floors and removal of years' worth of trash....I mean treasure can do for an old house. The men were still working and updates would be needed, but for the first time I could actually see the house becoming a new dream home for another family.
Next stop a quick lunch at Los Tios. Nobody does Tex-Mex or makes chile con queso "puffs" like they do. Then it was on to see Dad and his new digs. Of course Chris and I had been there before, but our daughter "C" had not. And obviously since we were in Houston, we wanted to see Dad again. We helped him move some furniture, dropped off a few things, visited and were soon out the door. Again, he was not ready yet to see my mother's grave. It was still too painful and emotionally "raw" for him. So we would be going alone.
We stopped a few places, but could not find appropriate flowers for her grave. We had to visit empty handed. But I was so pleased when we arrived. My mother is buried in a National Cemetery because my father had served in the military. Just like at Arlington National Cemetery, wreaths had been placed at all the graves. It was a beautiful sight.
Thanks to modern technology and the site locator, we quickly found my mother's final resting place. I took some pictures and we paused to pay our respects and to say goodbye. Sadly, there were already 3 or 4 new rows of additonal sites for people who had died and been buried since my mother's passing. So many WWII veterans and their spouses are dying every day. We were very pleased with everything we saw and felt comfortable with this cemetery. We had been there for the service in October, but it was held at a central location. Loved ones cannot visit the grave until after the burial and the marker is placed several weeks later.
On to the airport for another farewell. "C" was leaving for a school trip to Chile for 3 weeks. She would then be going back to grad school in California, so again I had to say goodbye. I can tell you now that she had a fabulous trip, learned a lot and loved the people. I am so thankful she was back before the big earthquake, not that California doesn't have its share of problems. I always cry for about 2 minutes, but then I bounce back and am fine. I am grateful for the time I am able to spend with my children, but am pleased that they spread their wings and are off doing what they love.
Last stop....back to my brother's house to pick up a piece of furniture and the last of the memories from my old home, my parents' house. We had not been able to bring back everything from the house when we had cleaned and emptied it earlier in December. We had stored some things at my brother's. We had a quick visit with them, loaded the car and off we went.
A four hour drive and a quick stop for dinner later, we were back home in Dallas. We even arrived home in time to watch the ball drop and toast in the new year with a glass of champagne. It had been a long and emotional day, but also one filled with satisfaction and accomplishment. I was able to say goodbye to several places and people and to feel contentment with life moving on and the cycle it follows.
Next time I will write about another family member and her incredible journeys at the age of 85. Don't worry...I will keep you posted on my dad and his antics. He attended the Houston Symphony recently and can now cross that off his "Bucket List" so to speak. He had not been there in years.
Thanks again. Until next time,
Jan
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