A weekend with Grandma Mary

We had a most wonderful weekend at my step mother's house this past weekend.  It is impossible to be there without feeling loved and nurtured.  I just love her so much and thank God more than ever for bringing her into our family.  Even though our mother has been gone almost 28 years and our dad almost a year (how can that be possible???), we still have Grandma Mary and her warm love, her humor, and her GOOD FOOD!!!

On Saturday morning we drove to Lancaster County.  Dick dropped me off for my hair appointment, then he and Destiny spent time with his parents till I was finished.  When he picked me up we went shopping at Salvation Army, Penneys, and Kohl's.  GREAT bargains at each place!!  Destiny now has a nice amount of school uniforms for the new year and I have some new bathroom and kitchen items.  (The vinyl floors and counter tops in my kitchen and bathrooms just don't match what I had from before and I'm trying to find things that do match.  I never dealt with gray before.)

Then we went to Grandma Mary's house where she had the most scrumptious supper prepared.  My sister Mary Ellen also came for the evening.  After supper we went to the mini golf course in her community. 

Dick and Mary Ellen golfed, 

Destiny climbed rocks and took self portraits, 

Mary and I acted like old ladies and just sat and watched and talked and laughed!

Of course, Destiny's all-time favorite activity at Grandma Mary's is getting a chance to drive the golf cart!  (That goes for most of the other grandchildren as well!)

Sunday morning we had the most yummy breakfast casserole before going to church.  At church I led worship for the first time since July 4th.  Wow, my voice should have had a warm-up first!  Singing to and with Austin just doesn't keep my voice in shape, I guess!  

After church we went back home to Mary's for another delicious lunch - hamburgers on the grill and fresh corn-on-the cob.  Here's the only picture I got of Mary in the kitchen - scared her half to death when my flash went off!

What better thing to do than take a Sunday afternoon nap, especially a rainy Sunday afternoon?  I slept like a log.  Destiny contented herself watching a DVD we had gotten at Salvation Army the day before. 

Yes, we slept in the sun room. The room where a year ago my dad suffered, lingered, and died.  And it was okay, it really was.  I sensed his presence and the presence of the Lord in that room.  Mary and I shared many laughs and memories and tears this weekend.  We all still miss him so very much, but no one as much as she.  She is the one who lives daily in that house without him.  My heart aches for her, and I'm so glad we could be there this weekend to somewhat relieve her loneliness and to give her someone to cook for.   We needed her and she needed us. 

Sunday evening we took Destiny home to Reading, came back to Mary's for the night, and headed back home Monday morning.  I was more than eager to pick up Austin from daycare at 11:15.