Nebraska: Summer 2019

Nebraska: Day 1

On Friday last, I flew to Nebraska with Mary (10) and David (22 months) to attend the Celebration of Life of my grandmother L---- who passed away in April.

The 7:30 a.m. flight went very smoothly, with David napping in my arms the first two of three hours.

Girls' Movie on the plane: "Pollyanna"

When we arrived in Nebraska, we stopped by to visit my grandfather and his wife and to stretch our legs, running around with their dog Olie in their back yard. While in town, we got to visit the other local family and much family who had flown in for the event.

We then went to my aunt and uncle's home to help ready the house for the Celebration of Life and enjoy a delicious pizza dinner together.

We were tucked into our hotel and David was asleep with not one tear in his hotel-provided Pak N Play by 6:00 p.m. local time.

Girls' movie on Night 1: "Annie" with Kathy Bates

Nebraska Day 2

Being early risers and on East Coast time no less, David was up around 4:00 a.m. for the day. Hotel breakfast wouldn't start for three-and-a-half hours, so on both Saturday and Sunday morning, mary and I went to the Hi-Way Diner, open 24/7, for breakfast.

"Hi, Daddy!"

We still had time to pass before it was civilized to call on people, so we drove over to Pioneers Park and play at its playground. Unfortunately, we could not get in to see the herd of bison because the gates to that portion do not open until the 'late' hour of 8:30 a.m.

We went with family to visit Grandpa and C----, where Mary played them her current violin concerto.

After a nap at the hotel, it was time to head to my aunt and uncle's home for the Celebration of Life.

Aunt A----, Aunt E----, Katherine, David, Mary

Cousin E---- and David

Mary was asked to prepare music to play at the event: She played "Beautiful Dreamer" on piano and "Danny Boy" on violin, both received well.

The Celebration of Life was beautiful and helpful for those in attendance to experience our emotions together. Afterward, we were quite spent and fatigued, so tucked into the hotel, got baby to bed, and ate leftover desserts in lieu of dinner.

Girls' movie on Night 2: "Jo's Boys"

Nebraska Day 3

After our diner breakfast on Sunday morning, we headed to Mass at the FSSP parish in town.

I always appreciate in any FSSP parish I attend, the directions for using clear, pragmatic language to define just what is appropriate clothing in a Catholic Mass. How is someone new to know otherwise?

We enjoyed another visit to Grandpa's again . . .

Cousins L--- and David

. . . before nap time at the hotel!

Then I met up with one aunt and three kids as well as an aunt and uncle at Morrill Hall--a wonderful, old natural history museum.

A display of parasites! Ew!

Mary and I then walked around the Historic Haymarket District and bought souvenirs for the kids at home before calling it a night.

Girls' Movie on Night 3: "National Velvet"

Nebraska: Day 4

On our last morning, we enjoyed an early 7:30 a.m. visit with the grandparents before we had to drive to the airport.

Grandpa with me and two great-grandchildren

I was so glad to be able to get away for four days to see family and to honor L----. It's no small thing to arrange for a mother of six and I am thankful to Chris for holding down the fort and letting me come home to a house cleaned and laundry completed!