Our journeys hold many 'turns and dips' some of which are predictable as a slow rising sun while others appear with the suddenness of a quake. The greater the tribe's numbers, the larger the circle of love and the larger circle increases those probabilities of turns and dips.
My wife, Gerry and I headed back to the Metro-East area this past Saturday, a mere three days after the funeral of my sister-in law. This trek promised to be a more fun-filled Christmas-holiday gathering of my in-laws. Our entourage would include our three children, their spouses, grandchildren and even boyfriends/girlfriends of older grandkids. We would all meet at our first planned stop, my mother, Lou's assisted living quarters in Glen Carbon for a Christmas-moment.
The ninety-three matriarch of the Roustio/Bennett clan is in declining health and at times is most unsure and feeble. None-the-less, she appeared somewhat engaged with the fourteen individuals who took turns visiting, laughing and sharing gifts with their beloved Mamaw. The scene is a far different 'look' for this seventy-three year old son who recalls a young, vibrant and beautiful young woman who side-by-side with my Father would regale us with holiday foods, gifts and family festivities. Oh, the many turns and dips since 'those wonderful years.'
After the hour and a half visit with a weary but happy old lady, the gang began its quick stops at three different internment sites to pay respect to no fewer than fourteen late-love ones who once shared this pilgrimage. It was now time to turn our attention to the 'family-celebration' at my brother-in law's spacious Edwardsville home. The gathering began in mid-afternoon and continued well into the early evening hours. The laughter, story-telling and love of belonging was and is so very much as most who read this blog; the reader's own family recollections underscore any attempt on my behalf to profile such joy.
As the evening wore on, our son and his family departed for another gathering while our youngest daughter and family headed back to Jacksonville. Our oldest daughter, who faced the longer trip back to Chicago would rest the night at a nearby hotel as would my wife and I. We would plan to meet for an early morning breakfast, stop by Mamaw's dwelling before heading home to Decatur and Chicago respectively.
One of those sudden turns/dips disrupted those plans when my brother telephoned to tell me that our mother had fallen and was rushed to the hospital emergency room at 6 A.M. Sunday. My wife and I would shoulder the day's vigil until mother's discharge early afternoon. The hospital x-rays, scans and tests would disclose some troubling information but that is a 'turn and dip' for which we have been anticipating. We will seek strength and comfort as we approach 'that' journey's moment.
May our God who shall give our family strength be with those parents in Newtown, Connecticut who must deal with the most unimaginable 'turn' in a life's journey. May the prayers, in behalf of those who mourn, from every faith and believer become a unified petition never before heard by our Creator.
PS. I should tell you that as we were leaving the hospital, I saw a former Edwardsville basketball player of mine from the early 1970's, Vince Alleria. He and his wife were entering the facility to say hello to their second grandchild born that morning; oh, what a wonderful and joyous time in their 'journey!'
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