A difficult goodbye

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Autumn is stunning in the Pacific Northwest. Walking 5 meters out the back door, I snap photos of the forest. The trees and moist ground absorb the smells and sounds of city life.

It's a treat to refresh our eyes and lungs with the acres of green behind our neighborhood. A creek runs through the dip between our street and the next one. Sometimes coyotes, deer, rabbits, and raccoons visit, though we live in the city.

A beautiful parcel arrives via post. Our friend has filled the box with 25 home-baked espresso-chocolate cookies. They go into the freezer until we pack for home. All year long, I'll ration them for times of discouragement or stress = her instant touch of love and friendship. THANK YOU, Keelee.

We meet Andy for breakfast. His group partners with us for teaching and humanitarian projects. 

The pancakes and omelet hit the spot.

Today we start to pack our suitcases for home. Then we throw a few things into a duffel for the weekend trip to Canada.

Friday

We're on our way to see our moms by 7:00 a.m. W doesn't want to get stuck at the border. My mom lives in one city, but he has a lunch date with his mother about an hour away.

The blueberry fields offer a splash of color in front of "Old Indian" mountain. That's politically insensitive now but that's what we called it as kids. (I don't know its actual name.) W drops me off at Mom's before he drives to his mother's.

My brother from Germany and his daughter are already at our family home. From the back, he looks like his oldest brother and like Dad did. Same posture, same desk.

Sandy, who masterfully manages Norm's work and Mom's care, has set up a digital screen for Mom. We can all send current photos to her via an app. It's her reminder of family around the world. We post for pictures with Mom. Our youngest sibling is internet tracker averse, so I blank out his face.

My niece and I walk along the dike beside the Hope Slough. It was Mom's favorite walk for decades.

The maples are glorious, shedding their leaves in the drizzle. How did we survive, living under this grey sky?

Saturday

I hang out with Mom most of the day. She's very frail. We have this time - precious and too short - to talk, eat, and sit together.

Many of our family memories were served on Mom's dishes and shaped by her hospitality. My niece and I go through the china cabinet and drawers. "This is your chance to find things that remind you of Grandma." She fills a box with dishes, trays, and other items she likes. She'll take them to her place in Germany next week.

I set the table with the best china, crystal goblets, and Mom's "good" cutlery. It brings back memories of doing this since I was 16 years old and we moved into this house (in 1972). My brother Norm brings Chinese food from The Capital. 

"This may be the last time we sit around the table like this," Norm notes. Unfortunately our youngest sibling has the stomach flu and misses supper. 

W and a guest buss the dishes into the kitchen. I quickly wash them by hand like Mom taught me. My niece plays a mini-concert on the piano and helps in the kitchen as we're wrapping up. Soon everything is packed away. Who knows if we get to do this again.

Sunday

We speak 3X in a local congregation. Mom's care-pack of four amazing! women get Mom there at 10:00. It's the first time she and Norm have heard us speak in person. Her friend Donna comes, too. Donna's hydrangeas caught my eye on our walk the other day. What magnificent pinks.

My younger brother and his kids stay home to visit. "We see each other only every two years." My nephew lives in Vancouver.

By the time W and I get to Mom's after the third service, it's 1:30. I hug her neck many times and record her memories and things she wants me to remember. We talk about Dad and how much she thinks of him in our interactions: he shaped most of my young thinking and values. And our personalities were similar.

There will be times I need her counsel and encouragement, even when she's gone. We remind each other of God's goodness in giving us this family. We also say aloud how much we love each other. Mom prays a blessing of peace over me, W, and our work.

Our youngest son drops in for a few hours. He lives in Seattle and hasn't been here for years. He and Grandma have some special time together, too. It's a double-blessing; he sees his cousins and his uncle lookalike. My brother takes his son back to Vancouver late in the afternoon. 

It's been a moving puzzle of family, these last weeks. Mom personally assures each child and grandchild that they are special to her and known by God. "He knows your name. Your future is in His hands."

W and I visit W's mother on the way back to Seattle. Can you spot the trackhoe (yellow machine, halfway up) cutting the face of the mountain along the freeway? Looks precipitous. 

The blaze of blueberries stands out against the mountain range.

W poses with his mom before we say goodbye and exchange hugs. She shoos us out the door with concern for our safety; it's rainy and getting dark outside.

We cross the border without a hassle. The border guard is crabby and holds up a long line of cars with detailed questions. When he gets to us, we have a question. He answers and waves us through. As the sun goes down, the roads light up, slick with rain.

Through the mountain passes, the clouds billow above us.

Monday

This morning, our middle son and his family drive through those passes to see Grandma. Meanwhile, W packs so we know which extra items fit into his luggage. I stock up on household things to last the year in Indonesia, so my suitcases fill up quickly. We head home tomorrow.

Our daughter Kirsten recommends Fang's Noodle House (Totem Lake) for lunch. OOOOOh. Is this the perfect chewy hand-pulled noodle? The taste and texture are outstanding. Highly recommended.

W's running errands. He drops off sacks of books at Half Price Books and picks up some final computer gear. That gives me a few hours to do laundry, clean house, and refresh the bedding. Our daughter arrives in 2 weeks to visit Grandma. During her trip, she will stay in our flat and connect with family and friends in Seattle.

There's time to set the table for supper, too. The grand/kids come over (downstairs from their house) one more time. I make Mandarin Chicken, while W picks up noodles and green beans.

Read more: the prayer of Jesus

*[Jesus told his disciples,] "This, then, is how you should pray:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [Amen.]

 

"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Castles, late books, and expats galore

Sunday, October 20, 2024

We get no sabbath, which we miss. Today continues yesterday's discussions about potential security issues for those who live abroad.

I pluck some greens off a tree and put them on the table to unknot my mind as we review potential dangers.

We enjoy lunches with other expats and make new connections. People who live globally have interesting stories.

One day we eat wonderful Chinese food. Another day we try a Peruvian restaurant housed in a classic Springfield building. We eat leftovers from each place for at least one or two more meals. The bill is normally $30-40 for the two of us. We keenly feel the sticker shock; we'd feed a small group for that back home.

Look at this tin ceiling and the old chandelier.

The wood carvings on the old bar are intact.

We walk back to training and spot a wasp nest forming in a painted doorway. Most Midwest construction is brick, unlike the wood used on the West Coast. Despite attempts at revitalization, few shops and restaurants are open Sunday or Monday.

For another lunch, we eat Dutch crepes served with smoked sausage, potatoes, raisins, and bananas. I take a picture so I can replicate the unusual mix when we get home.

The rose bushes along the parking lot are fragrant in the hot afternoon sunshine.

By the time we're headed back to the hotel, it's often dark.

W is curious about Bucky's, a midwest "thing." So we go in one day after work.

Its shelves carry high-calorie snacks and ranch-style souvenirs. In the center, some guys are barbecuing beef and chopping it for sandwiches. They make a noisy production of yelling at each other and slamming down the knife. Must be a boy thing.

Want the Western look? You may find it here. We leave empty-handed.

Tuesday

We fly to Seattle late Monday night after a final day about practical risk management. We unlock the door to our flat and haul in our luggage after 1:30 a.m., toss in a load of laundry, and fall asleep after 2:00.

We wake up this morning in our own beds, eat breakfast, and open the mail. My book series arrived while we were gone, too late to take along for those who asked for a copy. (We forgot to order them before we came - too much to do back then?) I'll stash them until our next visit.

It's a chore and pre-packing day. I start to refill a bottle from the tap in the laundry room and forget about it, flooding the floor. Mopping up the dust accumulating in the corners over time is an unexpected win! hehe We toss wet carpets and towels into the washing machine.

W has caught a cold as usual after travel. I avoid close proximity for a day or two. I don't want it! We prepare for Sunday's talk and sort through books.

The guys brought a bookshelf from upstairs into my basement office. The grandkids carry down loads as I take them off the upper shelves.  I'm deciding what to keep, rehome, or toss. The books make me smile: they contain memories of what I've learned, seen, and absorbed on their pages. I make a few giveaway piles and shelve the rest.

Kirsten is sorting her photos and finds a pic my Dad sent to our kids years ago. He included this tagline: Wow! Too bad you didn't know her sooner (= me as a little girl.) Lucky for them: I was a tomboyish whirlwind in pretty dresses, thanks to Mom. Looks like that day, Dad was preparing for summer by putting away the storm windows.

The younger grandkids sleep over tonight. They fall asleep quickly and without fuss. Good kiddos! (or Good Parents!) Their older sister is at orchestra practice and their older brother is browsing a book we bought at Windsor Castle (think: real knight armor, castle photos, and turrets.)

Wednesday

Sleepover is a success. The kids and W are sick so I sleep on my office sofa. I hear the hacking and coughing a few times in the night. (I'm trying to prevent getting ill as I have one more chance to see my mom who is very frail. That's this weekend.)

We empty two bookshelves from upstairs. The kids run down our books as I pull them off the shelves. What a boost! If I had to run them down, it would take a lot longer. I shelve mine of put them in giveaway bags.

The kids pile W's books and magazines in heaps before I get downstairs. Unfortunately, his office is completely full; when I come down, they've stacked his books in my office until he gets to them.

The kids head up to lunch, which their mom made before heading out to work. (She's amazing.) I tidy up, remake the sofa bed, and cook lunch for us: an omelet and a chopped salad. W is "under the weather" so he takes a shower and preps the PPT for Sunday's talk before resting.

I clear my books and W gets to his after a few days. The library card catalog is still going strong; art and office supplies are easy to find.

Read more:

*You are my witnesses, says the Lord. Isaiah 43:10

*Jesus said [to his followers], “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

Moravian Prayer: Lord, you said you are the vine, and we are the branches. You ask us to carry your message and share it with those we encounter. At times, the mission is arduous, but your grace and our faith in you is constant. Be with us. Amen.

Sweet times and itching to learn

Monday, October 14, 2024

We have a mandatory trip to Springfield for security training that bites a chunk off our annual month of itineration. We hopped a plane yesterday after speaking at a morning service and lunch with a pastor.  Mt Rainier does not disappoint as we leave SeaTac.

We try to see our kids every year when we come back from Indonesia, especially our daughter in Texas. We see the lights of Austin below as we approach. We arrive at midnight after an uneventful flight. That's the best kind!

A lamp from Grandma's sheds light in the guest room. Year by year, Kirsten is making her home more beautiful and personal. It's a delight to see the memories she collects.

W has only a half-day with Kirsten before he's off to the theology commission in Springfield so he crams in as many repairs or upgrades as he can. She drops him off at the airport after a barbecue lunch YUM and his handyman specials.

Tuesday

Our goal is to find a bathroom rug, change outdated art in K's frames, and spend time together. Kirsten and I hang some pictures. Then we hit the discount stores: at DD's Hispanic discount store I find a Christmas tablecloth for $5.99 (well, a shower curtain with a cute fringe), At Ross' we load up on rug options.

Kirsten tests the rugs out in her bathroom and makes a final selection. There's no return policy in Indonesia. Get the wrong size? Wrong color? Appliance doesn't work? (They usually test it at the store because ...) There's no returns permitted.

Wednesday

We pull up crabgrass and seed the yard until after 11 a.m. We can't figure out what these little seed balls are. Or are they bug incubators? Anyone know?

When we eat at a Mexican restaurant, we're the only non-Hispanics. That's a good indicator of classic Mexican food at reasonable prices.

We return the unwanted rugs for K's bathroom to the Ross discounter.

We stop at TJ Maxx for an electric toothbrush and a few things for the house. It's odd to see that the social distancing introduced by COVID is alive and well in the checkout line.

We find the fabric K is looking for at JoAnn - a cute print of bees and another of the woodland animals that frequent K's yard. 

K's a wonderful cook so we're not losing weight, that's for sure. We take our time eating together.

Keelee's up for a call in the late evening, too. I miss the interactions with friends, often online. Sometimes they're busy; sometime we're not available. When we connect, it's a blessing.

Thursday

Kirsten makes tea sandwiches and scones for breakfast and we finish another round of watering in the seeded yard. 

It's a pleasure to spend time together. We agree that each visit gets sweeter. We laugh when we say the exact responses in unison - how can that be when we've lived apart for most of her life? Like daughter, like mother.

We replace old art in existing frames with new fabrics. I trim and hem a large tablecloth to fit K's tea table. K makes spicy noodles before we collapse onto the sofa to watch a fun renovation episode on Plex.

She drops me at the airport with time to spare. Austin has its own look in shops and the airport: "Modern Cowboy."

Both flights are very cold - it feels like 65o inside the planes and the Dallas lounge. People wear coats or drape themselves in blankets. 

W picks me up from the Springfield airport after midnight. We catch up on his week. He had satisfying meetings with the theology commission and got an incentive to write his book on women in ministry.

Friday

For the week, W has found a fancy Toyota Tacoma for a fraction of the price of car rental. The moon is on the wane but still huge as we open the curtains to a cold morning (43oF/6oC). Brrr. I don't have warm clothes along beyond a jacket and long-sleeved top. When I checked weather last week, it was in the 90s (33o) during the day. Today it may hit 70o (19o).

It's our one day off. We wake at 7:00. I'm feeling a little hungover from a short night. The mattresses are comfortable even in a cheaper hotel. The breakfast options are not appetizing: sugary cereals, white bread, and a slow-cooker full of chalk-grey gravy. The OJ is a tang-like mix. W researches breakfast places before we head out the door.

We end up at Gailey's, a downtown eatery, where meals are so big that we take half to our hotel for tomorrow.

We spot this sign, walking back to the truck. I thought Christians were quoting Jesus, not Gandalf. How odd.

This guy has an old man's chopper well in hand, sans helmet. That's legal in Missouri.

We buy some clothes at my once-a-year stop Half of Half Price. We stop at Aldi for chocolate and German breakfast fixings (bread, sausage, cheese).

Neither of us is hungry when we pause for a mid-afternoon lunch at Corner 21, the best Chinese food in Springfield. But when the food comes, our appetites revive. It's so good! We stash half of that in our hotel fridge, too. Portions in the USA are family-sized.

The ant bites (from working in K's yard) are swollen and irritated. W offers Orajel to soothe the itch.

The room has a bathtub which is a rare luxury. W naps while I soak. When the sun sets at 7:00 p.m., we're almost ready to rest for the hard week ahead.

Read more:

*Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it. Proverbs 15:17

*Jesus also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:2-4

Moravian Prayer: Holy Spirit, draw us closer to one another. Heaven is a place full of love and healing. It is up to us to bring Heaven to Earth, flooding our spaces with a deep love. Help us in this task. Amen.