Bob-Kats on the Road 11-22 -11

Trinidad

We had been in Trinidad nearly two months.  We loved every minute of it.  We explored the forests and beaches nearly every day.  We joined a church and met wonderful people that we will never forget.  Bob’s sister Barbara lives in Arcata, so we very much enjoyed reconnecting with her.

If there is any downside to this place, it is that it is so incredibly beautiful that even driving to the grocery store you feel compelled to stop and take a picture in case you do not have that view in that exact light.  I mentally calculate the number of pictures I will have of these two miles of beach over a year’s time should we ever live here.

Life Happens

Then I got a call from home.   It was clear that my 90-something year old mother could no longer care for my father.  We must find care for him in an appropriate facility immediately.  Bob cleared the jeep of backpacks and hiking boots while I packed and we were home near San Francisco six hours later.

We found a beautiful place for Dad and were wading through paperwork when I got a call from my daughter.  My daughter needed her mother and my mother needed her daughter.  What to do?  Well, both, of course.  We got Dad moved and I flew to North Carolina.  My brother and Bob stayed with my mother.  For light relief the two of them cleaned out my parent’s house, making trips to Goodwill, the county landfill and culminating with two huge 4x4x4 bags from the local refuse people for whatever was left over.   This sounds like something from the hoarding show, but it’s a big house with many hiding places.  Apparently my dad had things he liked to collect over the past 50 years– odd pieces of wood, rusted tools, broken small appliances, and all those things one might use again (not!).   Holy cow, this was every bit as much fun as it sounds.  There is general agreement in the family and in my parent’s neighborhood that Bob is wonderful.  (He is.)

I, meanwhile, helped my daughter move into a lovely little house on a beautiful horse farm in Chapel Hill. Actually, I am of no help with the real moving part.  My function was more a mom-is-here-everything-will-be-all-right sort of thing.  She has trees, ponds and horses outside her windows and many great friends nearby.  She will be just fine in her new solo life.

Both she and my mother have had burdens lifted from them and are breathing much easier now.

Dad, too, is settling in.  In our first visit with him in his new home, my mother said, “Missy is here.”  (My childhood name)  Dad has not known me for some time now, but he said, “My Missy?” and turned toward me and put out his arms.  What a sweet, sad moment.

Hutch and Max – Circa 1995