Well, the original plan was to update my previous post right after opening the boxes from Kuwait/Iraq. As you can see, that didn't happen... Time just got away from me... So, here's a little catsup... (It'll come to you eventually....)
Opening Dad's boxes was not as traumatic as we anticipated. For whatever reason, we opened the boxes, removed the contents (mostly clothing), looked through paperwork and his things, and we were okay. The next day was different for Mom when she received Dad's retirement paperwork. For the same reason opening boxes DIDN't seem to affect us, getting that letter DID affect her. It's little things, out-of-the-blue things, that set each of us off in different ways at different times. I know I've said it before, but grief sucks.....
After we went through the boxes, Shan, Emily and I went to Wal-Mart for groceries etc. On the way back, as I pulled into the yard, there was that stupid armadillo... right in front of us... So, I gunned the gas and ran him over. That was that. Or so I thought... As we pulled in front of the house, the crazy armadillo ran out into the area lit by the headlights. He danced, spun in a few circles, leapt into the air, did a backflip (no lie!!), then keeled over. It was a death scene right out of your favorite spaghetti western.... I saw the whole thing. Shan saw none of it. She had her eyes covered, only wanting to know if the show was over. It was, so we waited a minute or two before getting out of the van. Shan was convinced it would roll over and charge her. But, it didn't... Call me the "Armadillo Hunter." Or something...... :-)
Saturday was a full day! Took Tyler to baseball practice at 9:00 (yes, that is AM on a Saturday!), then Shan and I (with Emily) went to the school to move things from Shan's "old" room to her "new" room. Around 10:30, we dropped Tyler off at the "Chicken and Egg Festival," ran to the ATM, and headed back to the festival. I'll post pictures later...
On Sunday, my Mom came down to the house so we could all go to church. She pulled a watch out, ran her thumb across the face a time or two, and asked if I would like to have Dad's watch. I don't think I even let her finish the question before saying that I'd love to have it. When we were going through Dad's boxes, we came across it, and I thought about saying something then, but if Mom wanted it, I wanted her to have it. I wore it all day Sunday until it was getting close to bed-time. I already know that wearing it will bring up raw emotions - it already has, and sometimes I fight them.... But, I wouldn't trade the watch for anything....
Shan and I ate at the Texas Roadhouse Sunday evening. We've decided that in the future, we would be just fine with ordering a salad and layered cheese fries... Who needs an entree!? :-) Notice I said, "in the future..." Let's just say we had a couple of to-go boxes.... :-)
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