We are heading out to visit my mother tomorrow. As usual, our son will be taking care of our house, which I so appreciate! I cannot stress how much stress this takes off my shoulders. And, every little bit of help is appreciated.
Whenever I look back at all of our family visits up to Colorado Springs, I have such wonderful memories of when our children were little and absolutely could not wait to see Gramps, Maija, and their uncle. Our children absolutely loved visiting them, and of course, seeing Aspen (my father’s Cocker Spaniel) was the frosting on the cake.
Our trips always included a welcome-back lunch that consisted of Margo’s Chicago Style hotdogs – which my father would pick up from a food truck down in Old Colorado City. We would sit out on the patio, gazing up at majestic Pike’s Peak, and enjoy the lazy summer days.
Hmmm… A lot has happened since those happy days when going to Colorado Springs was the yearly family vacation that all of us looked forward to. My father has been gone for a while, as has Aspen. And, my mother is not the same energetic, fun-loving person she used to be.
Instead, our “vacation” trips up to Colorado Springs are spent taking care of business and making sure my mother is well-cared for. We share all of our family time with one of her 24/7 caretakers. She depends on them for everything and I guess I do, too! Without those wonderful ladies to take care of her, she would have had to move from her home, which she repeatedly says she does not want to do. (With an emphasis on the NOT!)
I will continue to post entries that I am in the process of writing right now, since we will be pretty busy taking care of things. It’s a nine hundred mile drive, so I’ve got our books loaded on my MP3 player. We’ll probably start with one of John Mortimer’s Rumpole mysteries. A little humor never hurt anyone!
Sheila says
Heard some parts of Colorado had snow. Have a safe trip (both ways). Enjoy your visit with your mom.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila, my husband and I are having to pack for both cold and hot. (I just found out that my mother’s caretakers are feuding, which is the last thing I wanted to have to take care of…)
Sheila says
Danna. I hope the feuding caretakers have resolved their issues by the time you and your husband get to Colorado; and you are able to have some quality time with your mother.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila, I believe the feuds have finished. My sister called me last night and told me one of the caretakers has been taken off my mother’s case. My sister called the agency, and apparently they resolved the problem.
Kim says
Good luck on your trip. You have company in this emotional journey. I left my home to care for my mother in her last months of life…it was
precious time, emotionally charged. Since her death several years ago I am still processing all the emotions, memories and events of that time and past times. Just this week I took some of her belongings to donation centers. The items still had the gentle smell of her perfume.
I hope you are able to make some good memories which will be treasured down the road. Soon enough it will be our turn. And yes, the comfort of books, specific titles, will forever be associated with this journey.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kim, thanks so much for good wishes. I know this is something that a lot of people have to go, and you’re right, I have to remind myself to treasure the good moments and memories.
Jackie J. Griffey says
Danna: Sending up prayers for your Mother and Mother’s day visit, come home to us safely.
Cyber hugs.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jackie, thank you!
reginav says
Danna, I hope all goes well on your trip to CO.The memories of our early days are so precious.I wish my children would accept that I am not the energetic person I once was.I am still interspersing mysteries with historical books. Some of my favorite authors are producing some great cozies these spring months.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Regina, I’m glad you’re enjoying your Cozy Mystery authors. It has seemed like there are more Cozy Mystery authors to choose now, and that each day there are more new ones joining the ranks.
reginav says
Danna, These comments probably belong to another blog we were doing, but I am going to intersperse them here. WE were talking about favorite authors and sleuths.I looked back at the books I have read or am reading now. Everyone is by one of my well loved author containing a sleuth.On my list are Peter Robinson,Maddy Hunter,Nancy Atherton,Carola Dunn,Mignon Ballard,Ann Purser,Jessica Fletcher,Mary Daheim and 2 non mysteries but very good reading. Maeve Binchey’s last book and one about Shirley Temple. All of them I downloaded onto my Nook without reading any reviews because I like them and I was not disappointed in them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Regina, I also have specific authors who I don’t bother checking on reviews. Of course, I am so behind with most of my favorite authors that I really should stop and wait. Unfortunately, as soon as I see they have a new one, I add it to my very long TBR list.
Eileen Goudge says
900 miles is more than a trip, it’s a road buddy movie-in-the-making. Complete with requisite drama awaiting at the destination!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Eileen, I wish this trip was more like the kind you described!