I can't believe how much has happened in one month's time. Here's a condensed version of the most recent events.
After K's visit to DC, we flew together to Lexington, Kentucky. I must mention that we stayed up all night Friday anticipating our 3 am departure to the airport. The whole Memorial Day weekend was filled with family events centered around our beautiful niece Abigail. And thanks to that Kentucky hospitality, the weekend was also filled with good food. And I do love me a good BBQ cookout.
On Memorial Day, I did some shopping with Erin and Crystal. It seems to be an inevitable activity whenever those ladies get together. Later that night those of us who were still in Lexington saw
Prince of Persia at Movie Tavern. The theater has dinner and a movie all in one. It was pretty neat. The movie was quite cheesy and yet still entertaining.
The movie credits had barely finished when my brother got a phone call about Grannie's death. We were floored. It definitely put a damper on that night and the rest of the week. At 91 years old, you'd think we would have expected it, but we didn't. At every goodbye over the last 10 years or so, Grannie would always say "This may be the last time I see you." I never believed her because she would always be there at the next holiday or family gathering. She was always there and I think selfishly I always wanted and expected her to be there no matter how painful life had become for her. And now she's gone and I have to cope with that loss. My life may not appear different in how I live from day to day, and yet it somehow feels like everything has changed. I never expected the loss of Grannie to penetrate me so deeply. I loved my other two grandparents, but I don't remember mourning for them like I have for Grannie.
[She hated having her picture taken so this is one of the best ones I have.]
I flew to Miami the next day for a work conference. I stayed in a gorgeous, tropical hotel and spa in Coconut Grove. I ate loads of Floridian food. I networked with many colleagues who travelled down from DC and other organizations across the U.S. I enjoyed the first day of the conference the most. On that day we visited Shake-a-Leg and took a boat out into the Biscayne Bay. Then we visited the Miami-Dade County Fire-Rescue Headquarters. Lastly, we visited the network office and studios of Univision. Later that night there was an opening reception at the Freedom Tower, which is known as the Ellis Island of Miami, because it was used to process Cuban immigrants. It was a little difficult for me to focus during those few days there. It still feels like a daze.
During my last few hours in Miami I escaped from the conference to take an expensive cab ride out to South Beach. I walked in the sun and dipped my feet in the ocean.
After Miami, instead of flying back to DC as planned, I flew home to California.
We made a quick stop to a produce stand on the way home.
I got to Fresno in time for the final day of the California State Track Championships. The last two years the meet has been held at my high school alma mater. I was able to see my twin cousins compete in the 100m and 300m hurdle and the pole vault. They are incredible athletes and both of them medaled. It was kind of neat, though ironic, that all of our family was able to attend the track meet since all of our family was in town for Grannie's funeral.
Alyssa made the front page of the Sports Section for this shot of the flying hurdle that knocked into her the day before. She still managed to qualify for the finals.
The walk to the stadium.
Our family cheering from the stands.
We got my favorite Me-n-Eds pizza after the game. The night was cool and breezy so me and my siblings walked home. Then we spent all of Sunday together as a family. The funeral was on Monday morning in Selma. I was honored to give my Grannie's eulogy. I'm still not sure how that came about but I'll never forget it. I am grateful for my faith in God's plan. I have no doubt that I will be reunited with her after death.
After the funeral we drove by the old houses in Selma where my dad and his family used to live. Then my family spent the evening at home eating a big dinner and playing games. It seems silly to remember what we ate, but it's so telling of our family traditions. That night we ate tri-tip, rice pilaf, summer salad, ribs, red potatoes, shrimp cocktail and strawberry pizza. It was a perfect ending. And now I feel homesick. Dang.
beck
