Better Late than Never

I intended to blog immediately after returning from Denver. Man plans, God laughs. I have no idea how I ever had time to work for all those years. One of my children (who shall remain nameless) even cautioned me against retiring because I would be bored out of my mind. Needless to say, that child was wrong.

I landed in Denver on Tuesday evening, shortly before DIA was closed due to a thunder and lightning storm. Another member of my aunt’s family was arriving later that evening and was diverted to Colorado Springs.

That storm intensified, got colder, lost the fireworks, and rained for the next two days straight. I had anticipated rain, but not below freezing temperatures. The clothes I had brought for the memorial Mass were not really weather appropriate. But it was just as well, because all of the indoor venues were too warm anyway.

After Mass we went in a funeral procession to the columbarium where my aunt’s remains were entombed in the niche with her husband and son. She was the very last of my parents’ generation to pass. It is sobering to think I am now a member of my family’s existing senior generation.

I am very glad I made the effort to be present. I was the only Wadleigh (my maiden name) to be present. None of my cousins, my uncle’s other nieces or nephews, were able to travel to Denver. The other family members present were my aunt’s brother and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

My efforts were rewarded in a very special way. I was given a restored photograph of my grandparents’ wedding picture taken in 1904. It is a precious keepsake that I will pass on to my daughter. I brought home some other photo albums in my suitcase, but this picture I carried with me lest my luggage be lost and this picture with it.

I returned from Denver on Thursday afternoon. When I departed there was snow on the ground at DIA which wasn’t there when I arrived. Of course, I didn’t return to the sunny warm weather I left behind, but instead it has been wet and cold since I have been home. But since weather travels from west to east I can’t be held responsible for our current climate in the Bay Area.

Live long and prosper!