Everything is changing. Everyone is doing their very best to roll with it in their own way.
I took this shot on the morning of our departure from 411. It is poignant. This is the only piece of furniture left there. My black dress that I'd worn for Mom's day added even more somberness to this parting shot.
As I've written before, each trip to 411 has been different. Mike, John and I knew that 411 was basically "empty", but we were prepared to stay there. We brought what we needed. We hit the ground running and didn't stop. To be honest, we had fun.
We shocked others with what we were able to accomplish in this "empty" house that had been my family home. My sister-in-law looked at the beautiful snack trays we'd put together and said: "You mean you were able to do this in that empty house?"
It actually was an excellent question. When we came back from the store with our goodies, I walked through the front door and about half-way to the kitchen I remembered there wasn't a table there to put everything on-just the counter. We did a good job of making do: a lace table cloth for "picnics" on the floor in the living room; graduating to lace on radiator covers to make a kind of staging space for a wine and cheese buffet after the services; sweet little touches from tiny surprises that were still left behind; resting coffee cups on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen; and enjoying a picnic on the back patio in the sunshine.
We had quite a couple of days. Those days felt good for lots of reasons.
On our last night, neighbors Theresa and John came over to share a wine with us. Theresa sat with me on the folded out chair/bed. Everyone else pulled up a piece of carpet. It had been quite a day. Toward the end of our visit Theresa asked: "Do you think you'll ever come back to this house?"
I had to say I didn't know. I don't. We continue to be on such uncharted waters with all of this. I expect to come back at spring break.
Where we will be by then...
...only time will tell.
Thanks for your sentiments and being with us in spirit, Angie. It was wonderful to see Gary again after all these years! We're all at that take it a step at a time place for the moment, and Dad seems to be doing pretty well. I'm grateful for that. Thanks again-Love, Laury
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | February 26, 2016 at 02:03 PM
Dear Laury, so beautifully written. My heart breaks for you and your family. You all have been in my thoughts and prayers all week. I am sad that I missed your mom's wake but very glad Gary made it. Hugs. ❤️
Posted by: Angie Bourgeois-Feegle | February 26, 2016 at 01:51 PM