Memories

Stumbled across this unpublished, sloppy, unedited group of memories.  Was going to clean up and caption, but instead, grace will prevail and I will simply publish now.  It's been quite a week, Corona.  More later. 

12 Looks Good on Andrew

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 The weekend of March 13-15 we were to be in Greensboro, NC watching the ACC basketball tournament and enjoying extended family from near and far. 

But Monday and Tuesday that week were odd.  The U.S. was becoming exponentially more concerned about the spread of the novel Corona virus.  On Monday, there was talk of potentially holding basketball tournaments without fans, to reduce the number of people being around each other.  

On Tuesday, it was first mentioned that various tournaments may not occur at all.  What?!?  But how would the NCAA...???  

Wednesday, more scenarios would fly.

After several positive Covid-19 tests in the NBA and other sports, the entire sports world seemed to collapse.  

All NCAA basketball tournaments cancelled.  

March Madness cancelled.  

All pro-sports suspended indefinitely. 

The Kentucky Derby postponed 6 months.  

The Masters-not happening.  

It was if the devil had personally kicked the first domino.  

Andrew's 12th birthday was Thursday, the 12th.  He was on a field trip with selected science students and was to get back to school at 2:00, before 4:05 dismissal.  Duke was to play their first game at 2:30, so I agreed to pick him up early to come home and watch.  Not a fun call to make to school for the birthday boy, "I'm not going to pick you up because there's no Duke game to watch because the entire thing is no longer happening:-(" 

All of that is to say, with no trip to Greensboro happening, we decided to jump up to visit Dody and Granddaddy overnight.  (And since I'm always behind, I can now say how grateful we are that we saw them then.)

Look what Dody noticed about the 12-yr-old!

(Note their different reactions to this reality:-)

Dody was thoughtful enough to get Andrew a cake on short notice.  

Andrew wanted to go to dinner and an arcade with friends to celebrate, which were to do the following weekend.  But since no longer going to NC, I thought we should move it up a week, praying the boys were all still available.  "What if next weekend restaurants are closed?  I know it's crazy to consider, but let's reschedule ASAP.".  So with 24 hours notice, we rescheduled the party...and, again, thank goodness we did.  

We had Firefly to ourselves with the staff wiping down machines and tables constantly.  Silver lining - no waiting in line?  Food came quickly?     

Happy birthday, young man!

Happy birthday, young man!  Dad's still got you...for now, anyway!

The child's best friend...snuggles with both girls every night:-)  

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward."

Psalm 127:3

Chicago, just in the nick of time!

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"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." 

Proverbs 18:24
After months and months of trying to find a date that all FIVE of us could leave our families and commitments to reunite in Scottsdale, AZ to see how Kathy's "new" life has taken shape, we wound up in Chicago(?!?) for an amazing weekend.  

First loop around the city, waiting for the Arizonian's arrival.  

Thanks to Janey, Margaret's camp counselor at UVA and wonderful family friend, for the incredible  Siena Tavern recommendation!  Right by the Westin, it was the perfect first stop.  

 Unbelievable architecture around every corner.

"We're all in this together..."

 The flowers with the harp...an emotional overload.

 

 

We texted "Wolanski", who delivered countless babies for the three of us:-) 
We gave him faces he would recognize from our times together!

The Westin's landmark - 1960's parking garage next door.  

The Architectural Boat Tour was indeed the best way to see the city and learn its fascinating history.

Apparently this is what a $1,600 shoe looks like.

Abe...or Albert?!?

They indulged me with the Duke-UNC game early Saturday night, but it was their idea to order in....best decision all weekend, better lending itself to hours of real catching up:-) 

 A lazy agenda Sunday morning, I was determined to top the Sears Tower (Willis, whatever), so off I went.  And it was absolutely worth the walk and wait.  Unbelievable views in all directions.   

It wasn't until this moment I realized how huge and vast the city really was.  It had seemed so manageable until then...perhaps just a weekend, at the beginning of the Corona Virus situation.  

 It goes on for as far as the eye can see in all directions. 

The Ledge

After watching dozens before me, it was harder than I expected to step out there---it's clear, and it's a LONG WAY down!  

 

Basement of our Brunch hub.

 The Institute of Art

 

Kathy shared the ingredients of a lasting friendship:

1 - Been together more than 4 years
2 - Weathered difficult storms (babies, moves, etc.) 
3 - Have come through tough relationship issues with each other
  

Check. Check. Check.


And now we travel together, as if we do it everyday.
It's a beautiful thing.  
And I will be eternally grateful.  

Proverbs 18:24 "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

 

We got home after midnight on Sunday the 8th.  Little did we know what the week would entail worldwide.