Such a honor to be here...

I will now backtrack and tell you more about my visit, starting with Wednesday.  WHen I arrived, Mom was gone running errands in marble Falls.  Jerry was here and Dad was in his living room chair.  He seemed surprised to see me and gave me a great big hug and "Ah!"  Shortly after I was here, he started getting up fro his chair and told me he wanted to go outside.  I got his cap and off we went!  The first stop we made was at the rose bush across from the garage by the house.  He told me to pick one!  as we progressed down the driveway, he had me pick any different flower that we passed.  We went out the gate by the house and went all the way to the road and then to the shop, picking flowers the whole way!  He'd see one that we hadn't yet picked and point it out to me!  By the time we were through, we had quite a beautiful and colorful bouquet!  He was gathering Mom's birthday bouquet!  Jerry put the flowers in a vase for him and he was quite pleased with the results.  That was the most love-filled bouquet of flowers that Mom had ever gotten, I'll bet! 

Dad got back in his chair and was very alert, so I asked him if he wanted to go for a ride in the suburban.  At first, he shook his head 'no'.  But I was persistent.  I told him that it would be so good for him to have a change of scenery and that Jerry and I would help him get in.  And, he agreed!!  I was elated!!  Jerry helped Dad into the front seat, but he did it almost all by himself!  He's a lot stronger than I realized!  Off we went...we drove down the road to the last development that Dad and Leslie did together, but the big gate was closed and we no longer knew the gate code.  I made a few calls and left messages to see if someone could give it to us.  From there we drove a little farther down County Road 120 and drove through Cavern Ranches, another development of Dad and Leslie's.  Dad pointed out all the houses tucked back in the trees.  While we were in Cavern Ranches, a realtor with listings in Stone Mountain returned my call and gave me the gate code, so we headed back there.  We were successful at getting through the gate!  Dad swept his hand out and showed Jerry that this was the product of his work!  Jerry had never been in that development, despite the fact that he drives by it twice a day when he is staying with Mom and Dad!  We drove all over that subdivision admiring the views and the gorgeous houses! 

We drove past a man walking his dog and Dad indicated that he wanted to back up. I asked him if he wanted to say hello to the man and he said yes.  I introduced myself to him and said that I had my Dad Harvey Smith in the car.  The man, Terry Jones, was thrilled to get to see Dad and shook his hand very excitedly!  He told me that Harvey was such a nice man and that he had never heard anyone say a bad thing about him!  I told Terry that I was very proud to be a daughter of Mildred and Harvey Smith! 

We headed out of the development and back home.  Mom was home when we got back and she was shocked that Dad was willing to go for a ride!  She teased him and said, "I guess you think you're smart getting out like that!"  Dad gave her a big grin!  Once we were in the house, Dad showed Mom her birthday bouquet and she was so moved!  They are still the cutest couple I know! Needless to say, Dad headed straight to his living room chair and took a nap after our excursion! 

Wednesday evening we started watching "Wheels of Fortune", one of their favorite shows on television, and continued watching TV until 11:00!  Dad went to bed about 10:00, but Mom and I had to stay up and finish the movie we were watching. 

Thursday Jean came about 10:30.  It was Mom's birthday and she brought her some beautiful blooming plants to put in Mom's cast iron pot by the garage.  Jean and I took Mom to Burnet and had Mexican Food for her birthday lunch. Mom decided that it was too far to drive to Rosie's, but we agreed that we would meet there the next time she was driving into Austin.  We had a great girl's-lunch and then went to an estate sale to shop!  It was more like a garage sale than a true estate sale, but Jean ended up buying a paddle boat for their big tank at their ranch!  Her grandkids are going to love it!

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the house and Dad was awake and visited with us a good bit of the time!  Mom asked me to run into Marble Falls and get Dad some fried chicken.  He likes chicken wings and that's what she told me to get.  But, I also bought some fried chicken livers, cream gravy, and fried okra, knowing Dad also loves those!  I guess that's where I get my love for them!  He said a BIG "Ah" when I started setting the food out in front of him and told him what all there was!  I haven't seen him eat that much in weeks! 

Jean left about 5:00.  After she left, Dad told me that he wanted to go for another ride!  I couldn't believe it and, of course, Mom and I were thrilled!  I took him to the front seat of the buburban and he climbed right in!  I barely had to help!  As we drove out the gate, Mom asked him if he wanted to go get a strawberry milkshake and he nodded a great big 'yes'!  We headed into Marble Falls and went to Sonic!  I then asked Dad if he would like me to take him and show him the progress of the new bridge that is being constructed over Lake Marble Falls at the south end of town, and he nodded 'yes'!  We drove over the bridge and into the subdivision that parallels the lake in hopes of seeing the construction on the water-level.  The houses and trees blocked our view, but we enoyed seeing all the lovely homes along the ridge.  From there Dad was ready to head home. 

I don't know if I told you previously that the suburban I drive used to be Dad's!  Prior to his stroke, he kept telling Mom that he wanted one and she finally told him that if he wanted one, why didn't he go buy one?!  So, he did!  Ollie, Mom, Dad and I took it on our trip to Snyder in June of 2009 when we went to the West Texas Western Swing Dance Festival!  Dad was so pleased with it!  After his stroke, he still enjoyed riding in it!  Mom, however, loves her Lincoln and preferred to travel in it.  Ollie and I would borrow the suburban when we went to a book sale out of town because we could pack at least 15 boxes of books, our shelving and our luggage in it with no problems and no worries about weather.  After a trip to El Paso, Dad and Mom made us an offer on it that we couldn't refuse!  But, in my heart, it still belongs to Dad!  When we got home from our drive yesterday, he gave it a good inspection and pointed out a little scratch on the back bumper!  I had to explain that someone in a parking lot must have done that!  I just nodded and headed towards the house!  Whew!  I guess I passed inspection!!!   You can be guaranteed that it will be sparkling clean any time I visit, just in case he wants to inspect it!!!

Once we were back in the house, Mom let Dad have a little nap, but didn't want him to sleep too much for fear he'd have a restless night.  We watched several episodes of "Wild Russia" on television, which was very interesting and kept Dad's attention!  We ended the night watching a sappy Hallmark movie!  All in all, it was a great day!

The Hospice aide is due here at 9:45 to give Dad a bath.  I'd better get out of my pj's and get some clothes on before she gets here!  I pray that each of you has a safe and happy weekend!  Talk to you soon!

Psalm 86:10...For You are great and do wondrous deeds. You alone are God.

Amen!