Quick Trip Home

Wednesday morning - I get the call that mom and dad are on their way up to Galesburg to be with grandma. She's not doing well.

Wednesday afternoon - I get the call that grandma passed away. Funeral will be on Saturday in Monmouth, IL. Max and I make plans to head home for an unexpected trip, realizing we will be traveling the same route the next weekend for a wedding. Worth it though to be with family and there for my dad.

Friday at noon - We head off for the 6.5 hour trip home which took nearly 7 hours thanks to the slow trucker in front of us on Route 4. Lots of talking and laughing and we're finally home. I go crazy in the car when I see the Broadway sign. It's been 5 months since I been home. I can't take it...it overwhelms me to the point where I go through the same ritual of rolling down my windows on the exit just to smell the Quincy air. Most would think I'm crazy, but I've done it nearly every trip home I've ever taken. This time was a little more exciting because I had my honey sitting next to me in the car. I made him roll his window down too and take a wiff - he just gave me the look like I was completely insane. But, it smelled great! We headed straight to my dad's workplace and surprised him. Later we met up with mom and the rest of the family at the KofCs. We met John and Sha at the YMCA for their volleyball game and watched them crush the other team 3-0. I could tell John had been working out:)

Saturday 7am - We left for the funeral. Max and I in front. John and Sha in the back seat, dressed and not quite awake. We head to good ole Monmouth where we have many childhood memories there. I rope Shawna into singing "In the Garden" with me for the service - she was awesome! I think the boys had heard enough of my version of "Eagles Wings". Thanks Loretta for the recording...you're amazing!

Saturday 10am - Visitation and funeral. Family comes. Hugs. Church family comes. Hugs. Surprised so many friends made the drive. We are blessed. Looked at the flowers sent. Bouquet from Dave Stone - shocked. Beautiful plant from my Elementary Team at Southeast - amazed, but not surprised because they are incredible. Gorgeous mum from Kev and Ret - beautiful. Reminded once again - we are blessed. Matt and Melissa couldn't be there because of work and the new baby about to arrive. Sad about that. Max stepped in to be a pall bearer. Thankful for him. Funeral service was short and small. Crazy how you can live a long life of 87 years and it can be summed up in a 20 minute service. Makes you think about what kind of impact you are making in this world and what people will say about you when you are gone. What kind of legacy am I leaving?

Saturday afternoon - Back in Quincy after the services and lunch. Head to the Crossing for Saturday evening service. Good to see John, Sha, Ret and Neal on stage leading worship. Dinner afterwards at Lakeview Restaurant. Great conversation with Loretta about life and God's amazing story for our lives. Incredible fried chicken salad - needs to be labeled "World Famous". Take the tour of John and Sha's remodeled home. Wish I had their creativity. Head to bed.

Sunday morning - Services at MPCC. Good to be home and see familiar faces. Embarassed like no other in Mike's Sunday School class. He's my biggest fan...just trying to get me married! Thanks for your help Mr. Nobis:) Pretty sure my face and Max's face were a nice shade of red for all to see. Lots of hugs and brief "catch up" conversations. Quick lunch at Fazoli's. Turn around to see Pam and Yvonne in line right behind me. Wow! God is cool like that.

Sunday 2pm - Head back to Louisville...yippee! This time trip takes 6 hours and 15 minutes...much better! More laughing, talking, coke-drinking, belching to pass the time away. Good fun had by all! Days left til we make the trip again - 2! Decision to fly this time around - definite!