Ride of his life.

On the beach.

 

I'm home again. Got home last night, and was glad to be home again. I would consider my trip successful. Which is easy when you don't have very many expectations while I was there. 

The one thing I wanted to do was to return to Huntington Beach pier, and say good bye to Sweetie again. So, on Friday night, I headed to the pier, with Sweetie in my pocket. It was cold and windy and I was glad I had brought a long sleeve shirt to wear. 

California is famous for its June Gloom with foggy mornings, warm afternoons, and chilly windy evenings. Knowing this I planned ahead. 

As I waked the pier, talking to Sweetie, watching the folks bundled up or huddled together on the rails of the pier. Because the wind was blowing on shore, the fisherman were on the south side of the pier. 

When I got to the end, it was empty, so it made my saying good bye was easy. As I stood at the rail, ashes in hand, with a tear in my eye, I took the top off, and added her to the ocean one more time. 

With my mission completed, I headed for the shore. Two things happened that night, the first, I felt good about adding her to the ocean again, and the idea that this will be a deed that needs to be done every time I come here until she is all gone, to be waiting for me to come to her. 

Daughters and Tweety

As for the rest of my visit, it began with the entry into a neighborhood car show. My youngest told me about a neighborhood car show, and wanted to add Tweety to the show. So, on Wednesday evening, we were there. Had a wonderful time. Didn't win anything, but the admiring looks of those wanting to see the newest Corvette. 

While I was here, played 3 days of golf, went to meetings, and raced Tweety on  P.C.H., attended an Angele game with family. 

Sunday, took oldest to church, because she was singing, she needed to be there for rehearsal. She told me that she hasn't had a chance to ride in Tweety, and wanted her turn and wasn't going to miss this opportunity to get it. 

So much happened when we got to church. One of the best was the Pastor's son. He has autism. Turns out, his favorite car just happens to be a Yellow Corvette. When asked if I would show him the car, no problem. It was when he got into the passenger's seat, buckled in, and was ready. 

OK, off we went. Before I got to the street, asked if "You want to go fast?" "Yes." and off we went, burning rubber as we went. He was hooting and cheering as I took him for a ride of his life. Then a trick speedy move back into the parking spot to finish the ride. It was great for both of us. 

After church, oldest granddaughter and her boyfriend wanted to take me to lunch. We went to In&Out. Two young kids, and it was her boyfriend who wanted to get to know me better. I was flattered. Talked movies, life, finances and what they are planning. I listened and told them what Sweetie and me went through and the life lessons I learned. After lunch, I got my hugs, and handshakes, and headed home.

When I left for California, New Mexico was very dry. No rain in over 6 months. When I came back, I drove through rain and thunderstorm. It seemed that while I was in California, New Mexico has been experiencing rain for the past week. Needless to say, my lawn is lush and green and in need of a mowing.

From the time Driver and me got into the car and headed to California. I was excited to make the trip. We had planned this together, when to leave, what to do, and when to come home. I trusted Him to keep me safe and have a adventure to remember. After all, we are on the Road to New Life, and Keeping My Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv Ya, and God Bless. Arthur. 

 

Honor her memory everyday.

Sweetie is home with me. 

I now have something that I can talk with, hold, and sleep with so I am not alone anymore. May I introduce you to my Sweetie Bear. She is a gift from the Respite company. They work with a lady that will make a bear from the clothing of your loved one. 

She does them all by hand and gives the first one away and charges for any other after that. I've talked with her children, and there were only two takers and they will be made in about a month. I think that this is something that I can support, so that others who cannot afford the extra bears, maybe I can pay it forward so they can have a keepsake. 

I know that some of you have wondered how I'm doing because I don't post everyday. As of now, I doing OK. Keeping myself busy, playing golf almost every day, and taking in movies when something comes out that I want to see. Plus it is less expensive with matinee prices. 

As of now, I'm making plans to head for California next week. It is my birthday event. I try to take in a Angel game as a way of celebrating my birthday. At the same time, I get to see my daughters and granddaughters, and oh yea, my son in law. 

Today, I'm giving a friend a ride to the hospital to have a lump removed from her upper arm. Out patience's surgery, and I'll just drop her off, and in a couple of hours return to pick her up. 

She is someone I knew when I worked doing taxes. She is a good friend, but now replacement material. Not a good fit. Which is good, because she is getting ready to move back to her home state. I'll be sorry she is gone, and yet, that is OK. 

Getting ready to join the men's golf association so I can get a handicap and start playing in some of the local tournaments. I think that will keep me busy and grow my circle of friends. It will also teach me to play in competition mode. As of know, I play against myself, and I don't do that well. I'm just slowly learning to get my feet under myself, to balance myself, and to move on. 

I feel that my blogging has been a help with my grieving. I realize, that with my daily posting, I was preparing myself for what I happening now. I feel lonely, as I should. I cry when I should,  and when I get ambushed, and  I honor her memory everyday. 

Life is getting easier as Driver and me get into Tweety and motor down the Road to New Life. As for now, it is very easy to Keep My Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv Ya, and God Bless. 

 

 

Up, up, up passed the speed limit.

Home

Came home a day early. It seemed the right thing to do. I was planning to spend Sunday with my friends, go to church, breakfast and spend the day lounging around, and stuff like that. 

I seemed to take more out of them then they thought it would. And I got a message that they didn't have the same plans for them as I had for me. A last, I headed home. 

One of a good note, was that I decided to not wear what I was going to wear, simply because it seemed like I was going to be over dressed. 

Because of the temperature, it was hot and muggy, I didn't wear my long sleeve dress shirt with tie, I decided that my Hawaiian/California shirt would work better and I fit right in with the rest of the crowd. 

While I was at the anniversary party, I was quickly known as the corvette driver. The second generation wanted to know about it, and as you know, I'm very easily swayed into showing Tweety off. Even gave a couple of young men rides. 

After the pictures, the food and cake, the bride came to me and told me about her brain scan. I told her I knew, and would be there for them, and she was so glad to know that. Then it was time for me to head back to my room, and get some rest. 

It was in the morning when I got their message of about staying in, and I made my mind to leave for home. 

I had a good time, and am looking forward to going up and stay with them again. 

The drive home was uneventful and arrived safety, picked up some supper before I got home, and finished the day at home, eating my dinner, and watching TV. 

Driver and me had a good day on the Road to New Life. We did a speed run, and got Tweety up, up, up pass the speed limit, and finished well. So, until next time, when I travel, it will be with my Shiny Side Up, C'ya, Luv Ya, and God Bless. Arthur.  

 

Sweet memories of my Sweetie Pie.

Forever in the shadows of my heart. 

Just an update. I haven't posted because I've found that there isn't anything to say. For now, I'm just letting the loneliness of me being without her just flow over me. 

I make plans for the day, then I find myself just not doing anything. If it is something that I must do, and have to do, I will get it done. If not an urgent need, it can wait.

This morning, I'm getting ready to head out, a road trip to Texas. Been looking forward to this trip from the time I made my plans. Will tell you all about it soon. 

The days go slowly by, and then it is bed time. Still getting 6 maybe 7 hours of sleep each night. It doesn't seem to account for when I go to bed, 6 hours later, I'm up. There are times when I wished I could sleep 10 to 12 hours a night.  

Driver is waiting for me to get going, so I'll close for now. Have to pack, feed my bird and fish, set out enough food so they make it while I'm gone. Take some of Sweetie with me, to give to her best friend, then in to Tweety we go. Me, Driver, and sweet memories of my Sweetie Pie. For we are on the Road to New Life, and for this day, I'll be Keeping My Shiny Side Up.