saturday evening i flew into long beach and rented a car. i drove to la mirada, where candace and ben made a beautiful dinner. that night i stayed at chez de ma souer (sisters house, in fullerton) on the most comfortable couch. in the morning family arrived and we started a caravan out to the desert.
in yucca valley we shared laughter and tears and hugs. we sang “row row row your boat”” in a round for thom (something solemn we all could do, and theresa laughed at the appropriateness.) “life is but a dream”. we took turns gentle taking my brothers ashes around to the bases of his beloved trees. we all slipped some of the beautiful pistachios (still in their squishy rose pods) in our pockets for remembering.
after a long table lunch at one of my brothers favorite restaurants, we parted ways.
94 year old auntie and my just-older-brother and i drove through the evening and night to Las Vegas. arrived at the casino near my sisters house. we got settled and then met my sister and our long time friend fred downstairs at the starbucks.
the next day we got to spend with wendy, viewing her aquariums at home, looking at old pictures, out and about on errands. spent the evening with she and fred. amazing food and long sisterly talks.
i love how auntie is getting to be part of the gang, and the thoughts and stories that emerge when she is feeling relaxed.
yesterday she and vince and i drove a long time to head into idaho, with frequent stops along the way for snacks, blood sugar checks, pictures of rocks. we arrived in twin falls late, and watched a very loud cop drama on tv (aunties favorite). i fell asleep before they caught the bad guy.
we have had a lazy morning. auntie making use of the ADA accessible amenities and coffee. today we head to boise to visit uncle tony. we have a supply of various jellies and sweeteners, ketchup and salsa packets nabbed along the way. (resourceful auntie).
o, live 