I set off with my grandparents today on vacation. Everything they do takes forever--not because they're older but because they have no sense of urgency. I was told to show up at 9:30 AM, so I crawled out of a comfy bed with my boyfriend to shower and drive over. Naturally...they weren't even out of bed. Then we had to have breakfast not at a drive-thru but an actual sit down restaurant.
I wish I had their patience. If the world were going to end tomorrow, they would still spend several minutes every day making the bed together. They'd watch "Jeopardy" and "The Price is Right." No matter the impending threat, nothing is going to make them afraid of the all-consuming clock.
One thing today did make them urgent. We got a call saying my great grandmother is in the hospital and in a poor state. She is my Papa's mother-- Grandy's mother died last November.
Maybe that has something to do with good and bad things always coming in threes.
My dad saw the humor in the situation. A couple of times in the last several years, Grandy and Papa have been haulted on leaving for vacation. Heart problems. Illness. Now Grandma's in the hospital. "Someone up there just doesn't think Dad deserves a break," said my dad.
He's right. This past year has been hell for our family. Happy loving people but lots of sick and sadness. Three cases of pneumonia, several hard flus, a handful of hospital visits and a funeral. Two of us almost died this year and one truly did.
_____________________________
In South Bend, we drove past the hospital my brothers and I were born in. At my request, we drove past the house we lived in. Things look so strange years later. I thought the house would look smaller since I've obviously gotten bigger.
Not so much.
___________________________
In Grand Rapids and lucky Grandy and Papa have decided to continue heading for vacation. Pheew! Rumor has it they were going to leave me in Grand Rapids (with all of my luggage) to wait for someone to pick me up on their way to our vacation.
Enough rambling...
I wish I had their patience. If the world were going to end tomorrow, they would still spend several minutes every day making the bed together. They'd watch "Jeopardy" and "The Price is Right." No matter the impending threat, nothing is going to make them afraid of the all-consuming clock.
One thing today did make them urgent. We got a call saying my great grandmother is in the hospital and in a poor state. She is my Papa's mother-- Grandy's mother died last November.
Maybe that has something to do with good and bad things always coming in threes.
My dad saw the humor in the situation. A couple of times in the last several years, Grandy and Papa have been haulted on leaving for vacation. Heart problems. Illness. Now Grandma's in the hospital. "Someone up there just doesn't think Dad deserves a break," said my dad.
He's right. This past year has been hell for our family. Happy loving people but lots of sick and sadness. Three cases of pneumonia, several hard flus, a handful of hospital visits and a funeral. Two of us almost died this year and one truly did.
_____________________________
In South Bend, we drove past the hospital my brothers and I were born in. At my request, we drove past the house we lived in. Things look so strange years later. I thought the house would look smaller since I've obviously gotten bigger.
Not so much.
___________________________
In Grand Rapids and lucky Grandy and Papa have decided to continue heading for vacation. Pheew! Rumor has it they were going to leave me in Grand Rapids (with all of my luggage) to wait for someone to pick me up on their way to our vacation.
Enough rambling...
No comments:
Post a Comment