Had a great morning with Granny. Woke up at the late hour of 9 (after going to bed reasonably early) to yet another snowy white and sky blue day. As I got up to make coffee, I could hear Granny getting her things together in the bedroom to come out and join me for some morning chatting. This morning we started off with clarifying my "agenda" as she refers to it. By agenda, she means my time frame for being here in Moscow, leaving for Mexico, going to Atlanta, and then to wherever I end up for school. Those of you who know Mary Nell know her incredible ability to forget details. That is to say, it took me a lot of repeating and re-repeating myself in order for her to understand. To be fair, my schedule is quite busy and scattered.
On April 22nd I fly to Mexico; Early June I fly to Atlanta; Depending on which school I start at next fall, I will be starting in either Mid August or Late September. It's kinda crazy. In fact, I'm still sorting through how that is all gonna go. Lots of moving about, transitions, and traveling. I think I'd feel a lot more grounded were I to know where I'm going to school. I think there's a somewhat subconscious spirit calling me to get out some of my wanderlust before committing to one place for 5 years. Who knows!?
Regardless, it was nice to help Granny understand all of the details. She really likes knowing what's going on. I guess we all do to some degree. But I'm constantly reminded how much more at ease she is when she knows where Grandpa is, what I'm doing, and what the schedule is for the day. That said, sometimes it drives me up the damned wall- but that's just part of the deal too.
I wanted to follow up on my last posting regarding Granny's health. I know that a few weeks back I may have somewhat needlessly caused concern about the seriousness of Granny's condition. Obviously, she hasn't really ever (even in the best of times) been a pillar of emotional stability. She's just so hard to read. But, bottom line, I see no real reason for immediate concern. You all probably know this better than I, but she always has made her own decisions about how she'd like to live her life, and I think, especially in regards to nutrition, she's finally starting to connect a few of the dots. I have no illusions that she'll some how turn into a health nut and start walking around the block for exercise- but I mean to say that she has had more good days recently- which isn't nothing. Clearly she and Gramps are gonna need more support as things continue. But I think History has taught me that she's just gonna be up and down.
Jeanne- I can't tell you how nice it was to just chat everything over with you the phone the last time. And it's comforting to know that you all are close. I also know from being with Granny how much that gives her comfort- just knowing that you all are close and can come and visit. Just being around makes her so happy. It's actually sort of profound how connected to people she truly is. She may forget logistics, but she doesn't forget people. And people really don't forget her.
Ok, I have something to divulge. Fox, if you have continued to read this random rambling I create here, I'm listening to Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours", and it's like the stupid, syrupy romantic comedies that so easily get me to laugh, cry, and ultimately love them way more than I would generally care to admit. But here I am. Fox- I love this song. There it is. I can see Jens rolling his eyes. I can see Bradley coming up with a medley of all of the other cheesy songs that I love. I can see Joel singing this song in his off-key, louder-than-one-might-expect fashion. And I can see Michael laughing and doing the fist pump. Eat your hearts out dudes.
I am so excited to see the dudes. The crazy dudes that helped turn what could have easily been an experience not unlike the many Lutheran potlucks I attended in my youth (stiff and mostly lame; save the delicious hotdish and jello mold), into something unique, memorable, and oftentimes slightly disturbing. I am so excited that we have maintained our ties across the miles and different directions our lives have taken. I read something somewhere about how the average male friendship lasts 5 years. Well, it'll have been six years this May that we all Graduated from PLU (5 for you Foxy- you little baby you), which, to me, confirms what I've always suspected about these dudes- above average. You Sodes- pretty sure you were voted MVP for PLU Reign and were the first in Grad School (who would've guessed that?). Soup you defy averages. Olsgaard- that is Dr. Olsgaard- you know where you stand. Fox- well, you get paid to do shit that you would do for free- enough said. I have the best damned friends in the world.
Two more days til Spokane.
Ikey,,, I read this as I listen to KPLU jazz in my Prague flat. Its 5ish and Im having fun cooking, mac and cheese for Clementine and Charlotte. (as well as homemade playdough). anne-sophie and I will eat walnut pesto pasta with a lovely spring salad.The sun is getting to a lower spot on the horizon highlighting the steeples outside my big windows. (i love these windows). Im supposed to be doing turbo tax..and filling out resignation papers. OINK.
ReplyDeleteLife is good. Peter is helping me keep focused and step through hoops that trip me up, where to live, what comes first, house, job.. Im lucky to have options.. but the idea of being unemployed sounds so irresponsible and a bit scary. well crocuses, and snow drops are out in Petrin park.. I think of you with the boys... I love you, Mom