Out Into the World, At Last

Coffee. Formula 1 qualifying from Japan. A perfect Saturday morning. Lots of F1 gossip and a few shocking announcements in this "silly season" when the drivers are scrambling for next year's rides.

Michael's sister Anna and her newly retired husband Doug have just returned from their many weeks on a river cruise on the Danube from Budapest through Germany with stays before and afterwards. This is Anna's first big trip anywhere. First time out into the world as she had refused to go on other trips with her husband and son. I am so excited to hear what she thinks of the whole experience.

Also yesterday, Michael's mom flew to see his sister Debbie, her daughter Valarie and Val's son Josh in Knoxville, TN. It is her first time seeing Val and Josh in fifteen years. They were burning up Facebook with anticipation and excitement all day.

Mary flies through airports in wheelchairs and even had a long layover in Dallas where she spent her time having a few cocktails. I just had to laugh. She usually is in bed by 5PM and up around 3AM. I loved the thought that she was up and out into the world, flying on her own, hanging out in a cocktail lounge in Dallas and arriving in Knoxville around 10PM our time. She hasn't been awake that late in years!

After a week, Debbie and Mary will take a road trip to Decauter, IL to visit Jeannette, Mary's oldest sister. They have been working on their family tree together over the phone and have gathered quite a bit of fun information. Mary will stay with her for a week before being driven to St. Louis and a flight back to Orange County.

This trip will be so good for Mary. She tends to hide from the world, does not get dressed everyday, stays in her room and won't move her body. Because of that, she is having a hard time walking and has lots of pain. I have been trying to inspire her to take some drugs my mom takes for osteoarthritis pain. I have suggested that she take walks to the driveway next door and back then work her way down the block within a few months. Nothing. Sadly, it will be too late when she realizes that she can't get up off of a toilet seat or a chair or her bed. Pretty soon, she will need diapers and a caretaker. Maybe this trip will help to inspire her to adopt a more positive routine and participate in life.