We had a good trip out after a few hang ups - icy roads and frigid temps in Nebraska and a two-hour delayed flight out of KC, but we arrived in one piece - sans luggage - and into the arms of our folks. It was pretty cool having Dennis' parents and mom all there to greet us at the Harlingen airport. We were starved so we headed to the nearest Whataburger (Lubby's had stopped serving) while we waited for our luggage to arrive on the next flight from Dallas.
We spent the next three days at mom's beautiful apartment. She lives in a "retirement community" where you have to be 55 or older, which was a good thing because otherwise Dennis and I would have moved in! The next morning we met grandpa for lunch at the best authentic Mexican food in the Valley - El Patio.
Addie wasn't quite sure what to think of grandpa with is thick Mexican accent, towering height and big white cowboy hat. He wasn't shy though, and gave her a big smooch. He quickly won her over by wiggling his eyebrows up and down, which in turn made his cowboy hat move up and down on his head. Addie thought that was pretty hilarious.
We then went to visit Grandma Ruth. When we arrived she was asleep, which was a good thing because I immediately be
gan to cry. She just so reminded me of how Ellen looked when she was so sick. But when grandma woke up she blinked her eyes in disbelief and said "well, howdy!", just like herself, but then she seemed to immediately shrink back into herself. She did respond more to Addie. Addie wasn't sure what to think of her wheel chair at first, but warmed up after a bit, and would pat grandma Ruth on the leg and look up into her face. It was so very sweet. Addie even got a small smile out of grandma Ruth, so that was worth the trip right there. The next two days were basically the same. Between Addie's naps and eating we'd visit Grandma Ruth. We even got in a game of dominoes with her, and although she didn't win, she kept up with the game really well.
We also were able to visit Grandpa at the house. We went around the yard and picked oranges, grape fruit and avocados from his trees. He seems to be doing really well out there all alone, but I'm sure he's very lonesome. He and grandma have been married 35 years and have probably only spent a few days apart. I can't imagine how hard this is for him.
I'm not sure how aware grandma Ruth is of what's happening to her. Not very, in my opinion. She seems to be really withdrawn from the world. I know that's hard on mom too, but I'm really proud of her decision to go down there to care for grandma Ruth and grandpa. Grandpa is now all finished with his cancer treatments, and is waiting to see if any follow up treatment will be needed. Mom just needs to remember to take time to take care of herself!
On Sunday morning we all drove to South Padre Island to spend the remaining time with Wes and Carol in their condo, and what a lovely condo it was! It was right on the beach and had an incredible view of the gulf. Addie LOVED the beach! She wasn't really sure what to think at first, but once she got used to the sand and surf she couldn't get enough. Dennis would take her down to the surf to chase the waves. Wes brought bread to feed the gulls, which caused Addie to just squeal with delight, and she loved the sand so much that she would lay down in it! Everyday we would take at least one long walk along the beach picking up shells and seeing what we could see. It was just great! We are so glad grandma and grandpa Pope shared part of their vacation with us!
We've been home for two days now and Addie is still pointing out the window and asking "beach?". When I lift her up to the window to show her that the beach is no longer outside her window she says "uh-oh". Mommy and Daddy relate. We didn't give ourselves enough beach time. Before we knew it, it was time to fly home. We had a wonderful trip home without a hitch, just in time for our next blizzard. They're predicting 6-8 inches this weekend. Sigh . . . I think we'll be watching the DVD of our trip a few times this weekend!
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