Today is the last day of my visit. Mother is staying until Thursday when Dave will come over and take her back to the airport and go home. There’s not much more to see, so we decided to spend some more time with Grandma. I had some pictures of my little family printed and framed to put on her shelves. She was sleeping when we arrived, but woke enough to know we were there. I showed her the pictures and helped her drink some water. She went back to sleep and mother and I enjoyed the time just sitting with her.

There are many photo albums on the shelf so I decided to pull a few of the older ones down to see what treasures I could find. I was greatly rewarded. There were scrapbooks filled with all the people mother had been talking about through the week. I remember older faces from my childhood, but these pictures captured them in their youth and in their prime. I especially enjoyed seeing my grandparents and great grandparents as young people.  The pictures revealed that many of people I considered old as a child were actually younger than my present age. I wonder how I appear to Elizabeth and Amelia?

Grandma Doris and Mother

We needed to leave to make it to lunch at Debbie’s. Before we left I gave Grandma a goodbye kiss and knew that a chapter of my life was coming to a close. It’s doubtful I’ll see her again in this world. I know that she is a part of me though, and I see her legacy in my mother, myself, my children, and my children’s children.

Debbie’s sister, Patty joined us for lunch and we had a marvelous time catching up. All too soon it was time to leave. I got mother back to her hotel, said my goodbyes and made my way back to Seattle to board my red eye flight to Boston.  

It’s been a great to experience this trip with my mother. It’s been 20 years since I last visited this part of my life.  I’m so glad we were able to share this time together to have one last visit.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller