Andy and I are sitting at SEA-TAC waiting for out out bound flight to Prague where we will enjoy the company of Mr and Mrs Brummitt for an entire week of touristy visiting and consumption of beer. And the best part: the laptop has been left behind, and work has been completely abandoned for the week.
I cannot imagine a better vacation than to spend almost seven days with the most awesome friends a guy could ask for, and in a beautiful city to boot!
Well, I think the fortune cookie was wrong, because every day this weekend was fantastic for it’s own reason.
Friday was great because I got to help make a fantastic homemade Italian meal at DD’s house and watch the Godfather in its entirety for the first time. I know how to make Ravioli from scratch! I still need to acquire DD’s grandmother’s pasta recipe, and the required tools to roll pasta, etc. etc. The food was amazing (ravioli, cannoli, wine, wine, and… more wine). As for the Godfather Part I, even though I think I had seen most of it before, it was great to see it in its entirety. The problem is that Brando was the best part of it for me, so I’m not as excited to see Part II & III. However, I will be excited to enjoy more homemade Italian…
Saturday was great because I got to spend the morning/afternoon doing things for myself and then a rock’n good time with Mister Miyagi. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from the band. I mean, how can one band cover the entire 80’s? Well, apparently one can! It was one of those nights where you got to hang out with some of the best people you know while dancing your ever loving ass off. And nothing makes me happier than shake’n tail. It’s been a long while since I had that much fun out, mostly because the people I was with were crazy fun dancers.
And today… well, it was great. I got to catch up with friends/family on the phone and spend the afternoon out in Ballard with Andy. We hit up the farmer’s market and grabbed a cup of coffee. Nothing really out of the ordinary or special, but that’s kinda what made it great.
And now back to work… and there’s less than two weeks until I leave for Prague! Yikes!
Pa passed away peacefully this morning. I really appreciate the thoughts and concern that all of you have shown to me this week. It was a little tough being at work today, particularly because most of my coworkers knew why I was away and would ask how things were, went, etc. They would say things like “I hope you had a good trip” and “I hope things worked out”. I appreciate their good intentions, but it’s hard to say “he died” without making them feel bad for asking.
I’m doing alright, however. I would rather be with my family right now, but that’s just not possible so I’m dealing with it other ways. Mostly I’ve been thinking a lot about the life that Pa led, and how much he meant to our family and his friends. He lived an amazing life. He served in a World War, raised a strong family, continual gave back to his community by volunteering, and always took care of others and never wanted to be a burden to anyone. He was active in his church, the American Legion, volunteered as a school crossing guard, and spent hours at the local nursing home visiting residents up until the last year or so. At 93, the majority of those he was visiting were younger than him! He was quite the man. I hope that I can look back on a life that was fulfilling and meaningful as his.