Another Day

Our trip to Waco yesterday was a success, and the manager at Kohl's went above & beyond in replacing Margo's missing slacks for the memorial service. AND... while she was shopping, my dad & I browsed the clearance racks and found some great buys. I picked up a couple of expensive shirts for just $6, and my dad found several things that he liked in "tall" size.

My dad's cousin's daughter, Karen, sent a beautiful arrangement of flowers which are now on the great room table. Such a simple and thoughtful gesture, and it really meant a lot to my dad. (Okay... dad's cousin would be my second cousin, but what is my second cousin's daughter? Third cousin? Second cousin once removed? Someone help me out here and end the debate!)

I wrote out what I want to share at mom's memorial service on Saturday, and Margo gave it the thumbs up. It was easier than I thought it would be. Margo found a couple of photos of my mom that were tucked away somewhere -- her wedding photo, as well as she took during a recent visit to Arizona that really captured her warm smile. I had them next to me as I composed my thoughts and scribbled down my memories, and it almost felt like talking to mom. I'll post it all to this blog (probably on Saturday morning).

Oh, for the record and for those who have asked, the memorial service will be this Saturday, June 19, at 10:30 AM at the First Baptist Church in Whitney (209 S San Marcos Street, Whitney, TX 76692; (254) 694-2555). Our family will hit the road early Sunday morning and begin making our way back to Virginia. I need to be back in the office on Tuesday morning to get some things ready for our church's big annual meeting that night.

Someone wrote me and asked if there was any kind of memorial fund set up for my mom, or if they might make a donation to our church's Building Fund in her name. Of course, Hope would gladly receive such a gift (Building Fund, Hope Christian Fellowship, 39 Garrett Street #24, Warrenton, VA 20186)! But when I asked my dad, he hadn't even thought of that yet. He guessed that if mom were here, she'd say to send it to the Youth Ministry at their church in Whitney (at the address above). Apparently mom was fond of telling dad to "go write another check for Pastor Tim" in recent years. :D

Last night was the toughest one here so far. Dad had to make a difficult phone call, and it was a pretty emotional experience.

I'm looking forward to doing some work today -- putting together some budget stuff for Hope, washing and detailing my dad's car, and that sort of thing. It's nice to keep busy.