This will probably be my Monday morning post after every weekend that Addie has been here. When she first leaves, I sigh, sit down and relax for a minute. She keeps me hopping, that’s for sure.
She spent so much time at the spinning wheel. She was showing Chad how she did it and I heard her say “I don’t know why I love this thing so much!” Chad will probably be looking for a spinning wheel at the auctions he attends. He’s a funny guy. He was asking all about the fiber and wanted me to show him how I spin. He’s truly interested in all things crafty . . though I don’t see him sitting and spinning but I do appreciate his interest in my craft.
Sitting in my chair knitting last night and feeling so . . not lonely but just missing Addie, her chatter, her excitement about everything . . my mind drifted, as it so often does.
My grandparents lived in a very rural area with no close neighbors. The closest neighbors were my grandpa’s sister and brother, and their families and they were probably two miles down the road. No phones. No TV. An old radio that provided Lawrence Welk on Saturday night. I sometimes think it was a lonely existence but maybe if that’s all you’ve ever really known . . maybe it isn’t lonely.
I’ve mentioned before that we went up there (2 hours from us) every weekend. My uncle and his wife went every weekend (same 2 hours) but they stayed with his in-laws and would come by to visit my grandparents.
My grandparents had hard lives. They grew most of their food, raised chickens, pigs, cows . . not many . . there were usually a couple of pigs for butchering each year, Spot, the milk cow and a calf raised for beef. My grandpa had a job with the Forestry Department so he left for work every day and my grandma was left home to take care of the animals, do most of the gardening, canning, cooking, baking, laundry, etc.
My grandma looked so forward to us driving up on Friday evening. In the winter, it would sometimes be close to dark when we got there and Sunday we would leave mid-afternoon. I’ve mentioned this before too but I remember my grandma standing at the gate every Sunday afternoon, waving with tears streaming down her face.
I think I know how she felt! I can’t imagine her walking back into that empty house after mom, dad, myself and my sister had been there for the weekend, knowing she’d be totally by herself most of the rest of the week.
These thoughts make me even more thankful to be in Missouri. Being 45 minutes from Chad and his family is a world closer than being 10 hours away.
Last night I was looking at the weather and as much as I want him to be here, I told Vince it’s a good thing he wasn’t planning to come this week since there may be some icy roads in western OK. The weather always had the final say in whether I got to make the trips as scheduled.
I suppose Sunday evenings, after Addie has left . . that’s the time when I’m most thankful that we’ll soon be spending 100% of our time closer to them. I hope I never forget to be thankful that we’re making this move. As I’ve also mentioned before, this wasn’t a move Vince really wanted to make but he knows how important it was for me and I so much appreciate what he has done and is doing to make this happen.
pam dudgeon says
I am so glad that you have close family ties like this. makes me smile.
montanaclarks says
I miss my family terribly at times–I am the only member of my immediate family that does not live in Arkansas on the farm that belonged to my grandfather and now belongs to my brother. Dad’s parents helped raise we three kids–both my parents worked and we lived close enough to grandma and grandpa that we caught the school bus at their house and spent summers with them. Could I live in Arkansas again–I don’t think so–way too hot and humid for this Montana/Arizona girl now. But I do miss them!
Judy Laquidara says
I know you do! It’s so hard to be away, and be the only one who is away and know everyone is together for all the birthdays, celebrations, holidays . . except you but at least you love where you live and are happy with your life. It would be really bad if you didn’t like Montana/Arizona and everything/everyone you loved was back in AR.
I was laughing this morning because I got up, used the flat iron on my hair. A couple hours later I walked out to the mail box, passed by a mirror and did a double take. What happened to my hair? Oh . . I walked to the mail box in the drizzle/humidity! 🙂
Sara Fridley says
My kids and grandkids all live about 90 minutes away – just far enough and just close enough. LOL I know when all 5 grandkids have been here at the same time I’m kind of relieved as they all drive away. And then after about a half hour of quiet, it feels lonely again. This afternoon I’m headed to one household with 3 meals prepped to help them get through some Covid quarantine days. I will drop them off on the front porch and chat from a distance. My son-in-law has Covid and the kids all have to be home from school too as a precaution. My daughter is a respiratory therapist at a large – and very busy – hospital, so she is required to go to work but with extra precautions. Thankfully my SIL has mild symptoms, and so far no one else is sick. Hope it stays that way.
Judy Laquidara says
I can imagine with 5 at the same time, especially if they aren’t all from the same household and are excited to be together.
I know your family appreciates the meals. I hope your SIL’s symptoms stay mild and he recovers quickly and no one else in the household gets sick.
Twyla says
I want to think my grandmother’s tears were happy tears I had been there . We never went anywhere and it was still the best place to be. My great-granddaughter was here this weekend and I tear up when I take her home. But, I am exhausted by that little 6yr old. After being in a quiet house for weeks and then a chatter box comes to visit even my ears are tired.lol. So glad to hear your stories of you and Addie having fun.
Judy Laquidara says
I do understand that! Sometimes before Addie leaves I’m thinking it will be nice to have a few moments alone and quiet but the minute she’s gone, I wish for her energy and noise.
Karen says
My grandmothers always cried when we left. I cry when my sister leaves – I usually only get to see her for two weeks in the summer (not this year darn it!). I learned to have something to do away from the house when she has to leave. That way I’m busy with something and when I get home I’m not as sad.
Judy Laquidara says
For me, sometimes just walking back inside the house is the hardest part. There’s a big lump in my throat but usually once I get back in and get busy, I’m ok. I miss her but I’m not fighting back tears, unless I come across something really cute that she left behind and then I sometimes get teary again. I’m just so happy to be this close after having been so far away for so long.
moneikquilts says
I just love hearing your Addie stories. We lived 1.5 miles from my grandparents. Grandma never drove, so we took her everywhere. My other grandparents lived in town, 30 minutes away and I lived with them for a year during high school. I have so many good memories of my grandparents. My dad and his wife are 45 minutes away, out in the country and I love that we can go out often. Usually just day trips, but they love to see us. My quilt frame is at their house, so I plan quilting days there.
Judy Laquidara says
Don’t you love those memories. I suppose folks who don’t spend time with their grandparents, or who have grumpy grandparents make other memories but I am so thankful for the ones I have and sounds like you have good ones too. So nice to live close to your dad and have a good reason to spend time at their home. I think the long, all day visits are the best!
Nelle Coursey says
He loves you and wants to make you happy. He may have grumped about it for a while but I think he knew all along what was going to happen and he made it happen. Thank God you found the house you both love! You will have many more years of happiness there! He will be there soon and you may wish he would come back to Texas and work on things here! LOL
Susan says
Initially, Vince didn’t want this, but I think once you found that house and bought it, he’s probably as excited as you are to be making the move. I have to go to Utah this coming weekend, so I was watching the weather on I-40 and I-70, and I’m happy it wasn’t THIS weekend I was going!
Judy Laquidara says
I’m glad you weren’t making that trip this weekend too! Be safe.
I think Vince is ready to get it over with. I wish there was more I could do to help him pack up the shop but I think he is happier with me here so he can work at his own pace without me interrupting; and he can rest when he feels like resting without feeling like he has to explain to me why he’s taking a break. There’s not a lot I can do there but I’ll go back and help any time he wants me to come. It’s hard to believe we’ve had the MO house for almost three months.