I’m not the type of dude who would ever reprimand my mom for anything, but – ahem – for anyone out there who might even vaguely remember Catie and me, I’d just like to say loud and clear: “WE’RE STILL HERE!!”
Yes. It is true. There was another wedding in September and another stay at the doggie bed and breakfast. It was too brief a stay to plan a trip (I was thinking Alaska might be a nice change from Las Vegas). It was my brother’s turn to tie the knot this time.
Two weeks later mom cooked a turkey on Saturday and gazillions of people came over. Grandpa Rod was supposed to be here but he had to go to the hospital instead. He died the next morning, on Thanksgiving Sunday, October 10.
This meant that MORE people came to our house. Catie was beside herself. I was beside Catie. And Mom was beside EVERYBODY, cleaning and making meals and beds and doing laundry and giving and receiving many hugs. People we haven’t seen forever were here.
Like my oldest brother who came for Grandpa Rod’s memorial. Mom was soooo happy to be reunited with him, let me tell you. It was a sad day but a good day because even though people cried, there was much laughter too. People watched John Wayne movies in Grandpa Rod’s honour. People played the theme song from The Sons of Katie Elder and Moon River by Andy Williams and the greatest hits by The Ray Conniff Singers (we heard Do you Know the Way to San Jose? so many times that Catie and I are indifferent now as to where the heck it is).
At one point during the memorial party I simply had to get away from it all. I discovered – as everyone knows my deductive powers are outstanding – late in the evening that there was a direct and indisputable correlation between the increase of wine consumption and the decibel levels of human voices.
Catie and I were tuckered out for days and days by all the attention and the tumult.
The bottom line is: I’m fine. Catie’s fine – and her whiskers have even finally come back. She just keeps hopping along. The world’s a little different for Mom and Dad and Grandma Ellen because Grandpa Rod is gone but we’re all going to be okay.
I just know it.
P.S. And special thanks to COMET for the PAWESOME header!
And P.S. to Lincoln:
Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever… Isak Dinesen
I’ve been waiting to hear from you, Riley. I know your Mom has had some tough times lately, so it’s good to know that she has you and Catie to help her through the day when things get rough. I’m especially glad to hear your oldest brother was around. I bet that was pretty great for everyone, wasn’t it?
We really like that saying you posted. In fact, I’m going to add it to my list of favorites.
It’s important that we don’t forget those we have lost. Once they are gone, it’s up to us to keep them alive by remembering them; as long as we do that, they’ll live on and on and on.
Hugs to everyone…you and Catie, but right now, especially to your Mom.
Riley, Catie and you were never gone in my mind! Good friends just pick up where we left off like it was yesterday!
I know it’s been tough going over at your house but what a wonderful, wonderful way to celebrate life by having your brother home! We are so glad you told us Riley! You, Catie and I have had our paws crossed he’d come around and he did!
Pawsome header indeed BECAUSE it’s got my two favourite (note the “u”) foreign friends in it!
– Commy Com
Thanks Riley. Now I can’t get “Moon River” out of my head!
ray conniff singers…now we are all humming here in east tennessee. sorry to hear about your grandpa rod, good of you and catie to be there for your mom. we all know there is no permanence, but that’s hard to wrap our heads around sometimes. glad to hear of the brotherly visit and wedding, life does go on and offers us unseen adventures as it goes.
gayle & charon
Wow Riley, you’ve had a lot going on these last few weeks. So sorry to hear about your Grandpa Rod – that must have been very difficult. And those songs… those are all the songs that I remember listening to when I was a young girl and forever etched in my mind. My husband and I love to slow dance to Moon River…so romantic and moving. And John Wayne movies…can’t get better than that.
I’m also so happy to hear that your brother came to visit – that must have made your mom and your family so happy! What a great reunion that must have been.
And that header of yours – just stellar! Beautiful. Just like the quote that your mom posted from Isak Dinesen.
We’ve missed the Riley files and so glad that you’re back!
Hey guys, we know you’re around, your great presence can be felt all over the world even when the blog is silent for a bit.
I’m so sorry about your Grandpa, that sounds like a ruff time but only a pack like yours could turn it into a celebration of life and love. How cool.
And Comet, that header IS very cool! Nice work you artist you!
Hey Riley, It sure is good to hear from you and your sister Catie. I’m sorry to hear about your Grandpa. That must have been really hard on the entire family.
Say hey to you Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. The quote is beautiful, and one that I will remember.
Fortis and Brett
Riley, we are so sorry to hear about your Grandpa Rod. It is too bad it took something like that to get the family together, but I think that happens a lot. Welcome back, and like Comet said, we never forgot about you and Catie.