Chief Dishwasher

Yesterday was a very busy day running around and making sure all the preparations were proceeding. Family members are beginning to arrive in town or will be arriving today.

So far, keeping my fingers crossed but things are coming together, this is in large part to our families. I couldn't have done this without them.

I have to keep reminding myself that I am not the only person who lost her and I have done my best to try and be inclusive in the planning of our good bye to her. I have asked and/or assigned things to folks and everyone has come through with flying colors. I will never be able to thank everyone enough for all of this.

In their heyday my folks liked to entertain and there would be parties or gatherings for all types of occasions. Christmas tree parties, snowmobile/sledding/hay rides. Holidays were also big gatherings we often had 20-30 + people for Holidays.

Once Jennifer joined the family she took on the roll of chief dishwasher. It is weird to not have here in her apron washing dishes or loading the dishwasher. She had many a laugh and many a groan (someone would find something else that needed to be washed) over the sink at my folks house.

I know it was not her favorite activity, but it was her way of contributing to these events that she felt comfortable with. It will be hard not having her here and I guess I will have to pick up her slack for future events. I assure you that it is not my favorite activity and that I will probably not do as good of job as she did, but I will certainly try.

We're in the final stretch now. I had a few tough moments yesterday. Surprisingly the hardest one was driving by the golf course, the old tears started flowing as I was driving by. We had some fun times wacking the ball around there.

I also visited the cemetery to see our plot. For those not in the know. Jennifer's sister Elaine and Jim were still in Butte when we got the diagnosis that her condition was likely terminal and they went and got the plot secured for us. Well they did a fantastic job and we will be close to her folks with the "The Lady of The Rockies" will be overlooking us. I went to her folks graves and told them that I would be bringing them their baby in a few days and thanked them for loaning her to me for 34 years.

The words her dad said to me as he handed her hand to me at the church at our wedding was "No deposit/no return". Jennifer was not too pleased with him for that but she laughed about it later. I guess I am renigging on that agreement as I am about to return her (at least temporarily). I hope they are laughing about that up in heaven.