This last weekend, I felt what it must REALLY be like to have a mother. I mean, a mother who is still very much alive. :)
I flew out to see Theresa and her daughter Leilani and her husband Bill. Although I felt comfortable and have gotten to know Theresa over the last year, you still never know how you will be in person with each other.
I get to SeaTec Airport and get my luggage. Those jerks broke my bags!! Anyway, Leilani picked me up and took me back to her house where Theresa was waiting. It was SUCH a great welcoming. Theresa had made me my mothers favorite, German potato salad. It was my first time trying it and I must say, YUM!!!! It is a vinegar based concoction of potatoes, red onion, and vinegar. She also had German lunch meat with Salami, Havarti cheese and some delicious spicy mustard. It was so incredibly sweet and she thought I would be hungry so she had this all set up for me.
Wednesday we just chatted all day and looked through pictures, and journals and letters from my mom and I learned a great deal more than I thought I would. Theresa has such a deep love for my mother and has always thought of my sisters and I. After we had a delicious dinner, we went out SHOPPING! It was so much fun to go out with Leilani and Theresa. Leilani is just 5 months younger than me and we are very much alike.
Thursday morning, Theresa took me to see my mothers grave. It was a beautiful day and we drove an hour to Lakewood, to my mom's final resting place. It is SUCH a beautiful cemetery. I told Theresa that I wanted to see if I could find the headstone myself. I DID!! I left four flower pots on her grave with a label on each one. A love note from each one of her daughters. We took some pictures and then the rain and wind started up, so we left. It was really nice to visit, I am always in awe of how beautiful it is. So fitting.
Afterwards, I asked Theresa to go thrift store shopping with me. There are very few good thrift stores here in Vegas, but in the Seattle area, there are TONS!! It was really fun just hanging out with Theresa. I felt like we have known each other forever and that I was just a part of her family. I found some really cute clothes for the kids!
Friday was our last day together. Leilani, Theresa, and I just played with makeup and talked and spent some REALLY wonderful quality time with each other. Theresa and Bill took Leilani and I out to Bellvue for dinner at John Howies steakhouse. It was a VERY nice restaurant. Bill pointed out that a famous baseball player, Edgar Martinez, was sitting next to us with his wife. He played for the Mariners and is going into the Baseball hall of fame. So, naturally, I was starstruck (even though I didn't know who he was!) I was determined to get a picture with him. We didn't bother him during his meal and I was kind of bummed when we left and he was still eating.:( We went to some shops next to the restaurant and we laughed and hung out, when we went back to get Bill, out walks Edgar Martinez and his wife. I went up to then and said, "Hey Edgar, can I get a picture with ya?" He said yes and his wife, who is SO SO sweet, took my camera and asked what I wanted in the background and what angle to take the picture. I didn't care, as long as I got one. I stood next to Edgar and right before she took it, I asked him, "Is it cool if I put my arm around you or is that too forward?" He just laughed and said it was fine. They were SO nice and friendly. I thought I was super cool too! :)
We went home and we watched the coverage of the tsunami and the earthquake in Japan. What a devastating ordeal for the people of Japan to endure. My heart ached for them and I called my grandma to make sure her family was safe, luckily they are all in Okinawa, that was barely affected by the disaster. Leilani, Theresa, Bill, and I all had so much fun together, it was very natural for us to just be with each other. I felt so completely relaxed and at home. What a special blessing. I know my mother is overjoyed. Every time Leilani and I would say the same thing at the same time and every time we would talk about my mother, I could feel her spirit with us and I could feel her joy.
It was very hard to say goodbye the next morning. My grandma Best picked me up from Theresa's house to spend a few hours with me before my flight left. It was the trip of a lifetime and I am forever grateful for the opportunity. Leilani, Theresa, and I are planning a trip to Cannon Beach next summer so that our families can meet each other!!
I did not take my kids. Tyson thought it would be a very good trip for me to take alone so I could just focus on my mother. I have to say, Tyson was A MAZE ING while I was gone. He cooked ALL the meals for the kids, he took them out to see Rango (don't take your kids unless you like swearing and smoking) He also took them to a birthday party (he hates those) Ashtyn was invited to it, so Tyson took it upon himself to call the girls mom and ask if Kai could come too. He did not want Kai to feel left out because Ash is always getting invited to parties and Kai, not so much. Anyway, she said YES! They had a blast today and then came to get me from the airport. We walked into the house and it was SPARKLING clean!!! Laundry was done too!!