Made it through 2 very rough firsts

Mother’s Day weekend was tougher than hell, especially since Mother Nature kept me from going to the cemetery to complete my task. But a week later on Tuesday, I was on vacation so I was on the road by 8:30 AM and headed to the cemetery. I was praying that I had loaded up everything I needed, but knew that I probably forgot something. I pulled in around 10 and the sun was starting to peek through the clouds. It was still kind of chilly but it was a beautiful morning and I was going to be spending the day with Dad and Mom. Started unloading the tools and all the landscaping items. First things first roll out the edging to let the sun warm it up so it will be easy to work with. Next dug out the trench for the edging. Dad probably would have had a cow because my lines were far from straight, but any one that knows me knows that I am crooked as they come. Next got out the plastic to lie it down, wasn’t windy but there were occasional burst and I think Mom and Dad were just trying to keep me on my toes. Now lets get that edging in place, everything was going great until I had to round the corner by Dad’s Naval Service plaque, took a little Morgan smarts but I got r done. Get all the way around and low and behold I am about 12 inches from reaching the finish line. Good thing I bought two things of edging. Next thing was laying the rock inside and remembering to get all my tools out that were holding the plastic down. See that is them Morgan smarts working. Five bags of rock and would you believe I need more. Time for a break and run into Vandalia and get some more rock. Only bought 3 bags and needed 2 more, but I will get them later before Memorial Day. Got the rock on and spread out, then added the landscaping stone at the foot on Mom’s side that my buddies from work sent when Mom’s passed. Put Keith and Diane’s flowers back on there and I think it looks good and Mom and Dad would like it. Made it back home around 4 PM. It was a beautiful day and it was just me and a couple angles watching over me.

McDonald’s breakfast…$4.00
Additional Marble Rocks…$9.00
Spending quality time with the best parents…PRICELESS
That all was day one of my vacation and was a perfect way to start and now time to focus on getting ready for the other first, which is our first reunion without both Mom and Dad, and also Renee. I just wasn’t ready for this at all. I took off the week in the hopes of keeping my ass busy. I did a pretty good job during the day; the weather was perfect so I was out in the yard. I played in the dirt, dug up trees away from my house and also dug some out of the fencerow and planted them in my lot. Then there is mowing and weed eating. Also built a small patio to put my picnic table on so I don’t have to keep moving it when I mow. See that is them Morgan smarts working again. When I wasn’t working, I would just sit on the glider I got that was Mom and Dad’s and you know who was gliding right there with me. And I live right by the house I grew up in so I could just look over there and man the memories flow like crazy. I see Dad and Mom over there quite often. Dad messing around in his garage, although he would kick Kim in the ass and tell her to clean that garage out. Then I see Mom messing around with her all her flowers, or both of them just sitting on the porch.

I had told myself that I would get a memorial video done before the reunion, but I was struggling making myself get motivated to start. When I would start looking at the pictures of Mom, Dad and Renee it was so surreal that I would walk away and go do something else. I still can’t believe they are not with us any more. I know none of them are struggling any more and it is all part of life, but nothing prepares you for this emptiness. Some say time helps well my experience is no it doesn’t. Maybe it will someday, but not yet and not until I say so. I was able to kick myself in the ass and I did finish the video. It is about 20 minutes long and I started with the video I made for Mom on Mother’s Day. Next were some pictures of Renee, then some of Mom and Renee and finally some of Dad, Mom and Renee. The songs were perfect or at least that is my opinion. I got up one morning and it was raining so I sat in front of the computer until about 1 PM and then it was done. Cried the whole time and every time I would watch it. Everyone really liked it. Heather, Jeremy and Jason really loved it so that made me feel good. Ivan didn’t watch it with us, but I know he has watched it. They are harder than hell to do, but they bring back so many great memories.

Reunion day – up at 5:30 AM waking up the neighbor to start grilling. Kim did a great job this year and like I told her, Herbie would be proud. Dad and her had many good times grilling and you know Dad was always giving advice and I have to say Kim kicks ass on the grill. I even went out there and she was feeding Keith and Diane’s dog, just like Dad would take care of Gator. By 9:00 AM meat is all done. Finished up around the house and loaded up the truck with the food and coolers. Jumped in the truck and looked in the passenger seat, someone’s missing. For 5 years since Dad passed I always took Mom and now here I am flying solo. Deep breath, start the truck and look up, I know they are smiling down on this Morgan clan today. Floor it and got a ticket on the way to the park…NOT, but that would have been funny wouldn’t it.

Reunion was good; we have our hands full with the next generations of Morgan’s. My great nieces and nephews are getting so big and that means I am getting older. That is OK, I am not growing up though cause I have too much fun with the little ones. We had our 2 little ones that were the stars of the show, Grey and Sam. Now they can always put a smile on my face. Aunt Edna, my Dad’s sister made it and that put a smile on all of our faces. That day we really saw where my Dad got his mischievous streak. Aunt Edna went and tied Jerry’s shoestrings together while he was sleeping in the truck, don’t believe me look at the pictures below. I know both Dad and Mom were smiling at that. Aunt Edna, who will be 90 this year, maneuvered her walker in between potholes and every thing to get the task completed. She is my hero. Ended with rain at the park, but we pushed on to Sharon’s where the annual poker game was held, plus the video showing. It was a great week as you can see from the pictures below. The minor flood in my bathroom was just a way to clean the floor and the floor in the basement.

It was a rough couple of weeks, but I did make it through. Thanks to Jada Bird and Sam for always putting a smile on my face. I also have to thank Loser and Scrappy cause Jada, Sam and I should be able to get a group discount for therapy in dealing with them. DOOMED! Just kidding, I love my neighbors, they are there when I need to talk or when I need a beer and I am out, at least that is what I tell them. There is one other nerd that I need to thank, just because she has the touch of pulling me out of a funk. All it takes is a phone call or a text message here or there. The simple phrase “Why do WE have to leave?”

Enjoy the pictures from the cemetery and the reunion.