RODE HOME
. . . so much to remember
Sunday Mar. 16, 2014
Road home – catching up on calls with friends in other time zones, detour to drive around old haunts in Red Deer, chance encounter with Dixie (so nice to see you) – and then back on the road. Signs of spring everywhere, though drab and dirty looking, in need of a spring shower hosing off . . .
That road, Highway 2, driven so many times. Remembering when we first drove it – my dad moving us to Red Deer from Estevan. That was March, 1960. So many things in Red Deer have changed – but old residences, schools and haunts are still the same.
Smaller in reality than in my memory.
Older than in my memory.
I drove down streets I’ve not visited in decades, and found myself remembering which kids lived in which houses …
I had a fantastic sleep – early to bed shortly after grandkids hit the hay … rose early and departed before anyone was up. Carla was sleeping (as if there is much sleep for nursing moms), Isla was sleeping … [Yesterday was not for that. It was for driving – then watching a toddler with endless energy and a baby with endless capacity for eating, pooping and sleeping. Such was a day spent with Isla (22 months) and Alex (7 weeks). Amazed their mother Carla can still stand at the end of her long day/long night … when every hour could be feeding time. They are all marvelous. Saw Chad too, but then he had to shove off to his night shift, Dinner, Asian take-out, with Carla was perfect. Early to bed, early to rise … makes grandpa happy and wise]
Mark Kolke
198,352
column written/ published from Calgary
morning walk: 5C / 41F, Gusta had her walk in two sections – very early near a Tim Horton’s in Sherwood Park, the final stretch here at home – she’s loving the muck and I don’t mind it so much now that she has much less coat to drag …
Reader feedback / comments always welcome:
Mark, amazing what hugging a daughter and grandchild can do for you……thinking of you….god bless…. , GB, Crossfield, AB
Sorry to hear about your Dad. Take care of yourself, one day at a time, AH, Okotoks, AB
Hi Mark. I understand your father passed earlier this week. My condolences to you and family. I'll be in touch later in April when I return, RS, Calgary, AB
|