A trip home

A few months ago we flew to my hometown for my Dad's Memorial. It was a whirlwind of tears, laughter, hugging and reconnecting with loved ones.  But what I mostly have to show for the weekend is the food we ate.  At first I thought against writing a post about it, because of disappointing lack of photos, but I decided that what I had was enough.  We were loved and supported by people who either felt like family, or were family.  We ate at our favorite places which my Dad would have loved.  It was enough.  

Here's a glimpse. 

We were glad to have a direct flight from Houston to Seattle.  The kids, of course, love to fly, so settled right in with some of their favorite things.  Drawing for her, Garfield for him.

One of the things that I miss about living in Texas being able to pop into a Glassy Baby store.  I tracked down their mini shop in the Seattle airport.  I bought "Smooch" in honor of my Dad.  I'll never forget all the final kisses I gave to his precious cheeks.

After getting our rental car we went right to Taco Time.  One crisp chicken taco later...

Then we drove to our old neighborhood.  It was so good to see the bay and smell that familiar salt air.

Our old street.  The kids nicknamed that "Cherry Blossom Lane."

We visited with our old neighbors for a few minutes and waved at our old house.  It looked good.  I saw that my peonies were coming up.  {{Hug}} to you sweet home.

And then we picked up sandwiches at our favorite sandwich place - MSM's Deli.  So good. And so messy.

And we hightailed it over the mountains to Wenatchee so we could get to Larry's Chicken before they closed at 8:00 PM.

We made it!

I need you to know that Larry's Chicken is, hands down, my favorite food from my childhood.  I am instantly transported back to being snuggled up in my parents car, chomping on chicken dipped in tartar sauce and drinking Pepsi.  I'm happy to say that Jon and our kids now crave Larry's just as much as me.  My work here is done ;P

The next morning we were up and ready to pick up my oldest sister from the airport.  Both Jon and the kids were going to speak at the church service.

I grew up under that mountain, named Saddle Rock.  My entire life I listened to my Dad expressing how lucky he felt to live in such a beautiful place, the Wenatchee Valley.  As a kid, I took it all for granted, but it is such a lovely place.

Another thing that I grew up hearing my Dad talk about was the gorgeous Wenatchee weather.  This day did not disappoint!  It was perfect!  He would have loved it.

The hardest part for me was arriving at the gravesite.  Suddenly I was transported back to my Mom's gravesite funeral and all at once it was all too much.  The pastor, the military service, it was all so wonderful.  I can't even find the words to express how wonderful it was.   Oh, he would have felt so loved.

We hung around the cemetery for quite awhile. We collected the shells from the Military Salute.  We held them in our hands and smelled the gunpowder.  My nephew, Ben, was able to put my Dad's ashes in the ground.  We got to watch as they covered it up.  It was good for closure.

My kids have a fun inside joke with Uncle Bob, called the "Dumb Club."  He surprised them with a giant cookie, which lightened things up a bit.

It was hard to go.  {{sob}}

Back at the church, they dug in.  We love you, Uncle Bob!

I didn't get any pictures at the service.  I need to ask around and see if anyone else did. (Family, if you're reading this, send pictures?) The service was so beautiful. Jon shared such a meaningful story about my Dad, which was the highlight of the service for me.  The grandkids all read his favorite verses.  I love this man dearly.  And I miss him so much.

Ahhh, the 70s! ;-)

The next day we just hung out together.  We tried to do things that my parents loved to do.  We walked the old neighborhood and along the canal, which was my Mom's favorite walk.  We soaked up the fellowship of our family.

There's "my" mountain.  I'll miss it.  I miss it now, but mostly because I miss my parents.

More food.  You see what I mean?

Later we went back to the cemetery to leave flowers with my Mom's grave.

My Mom and I tried to live my the verse, "Let your gentleness be evident to all, the Lord is near."

Flying home - waving goodbye to our old neighborhood.  Until next time, T-Town.

....and coming home to Texas.  (it's so flat, ha ha! :)