EUROPEAN VACATION

In '85 I took a trip to Europe. Included in the trip were visits to missionary friends in Germany, Austria and Italy, and friends in France. Upon arriving in Paris, I began traveling by train across the continent, after visiting my favorite European city, Paris. This was my first go-it-alone trip and I deemed it a real adventure.

Paris was beautiful, as usual. One of my favorite things to do was to locate, with help from the hotel concierge, small, neighborhood restaurants for fine dining at a reasonable price.

Paris abounded with signs warning of pickpockets. I kept my money and important papers in a money belt, but wanted to test the crooks. One morning I boarded the Paris Metro subway wearing my raincoat with a few francs in a pocket. At one of the stops a man brushed by me, excused himself, and left the car. Sure enough, I felt in my pocket for the francs and they were gone.!!

After Paris, I boarded a train for Mulheim, Germany, to visit a young missionary supported by MBC. L____ and her partner were so happy to see me. We talked non-stop for two days, although I found time to by twin dresses for my granddaughters. L____and friend were leaving for a vacation in Italy and wanted me to visit them there, which I planned to do.

More, later.

CARS

THE NOVA

Dear son and family had a small red NOVA. While staying with the family one time(son was traveling), I had occasion to go to the store, so took granddaughter Kelly along for the ride. I was having trouble getting the car into reverse to back out of the driveway. Each time I had the car in what I thought was the right gear, the car would move forward. "PopPop," said granddaughter, "We're supposed to be going backward." "I know dear," I said, "But I can't get the damn thing into reverse." "Oh, PopPop," she said, "You just said a bad word." Out of the mouth of babes. . .

THE MERCURY

One day while driving from Northern Virginia to Richmond, just south of the Springfield exit, I was hit by a large tractor-trailer, who crossed into my righthand lane, spun the car around, and into the medium strip. The truck driver stopped and apologized, saying that he never saw me in his mirror. Of course his company paid for the repairs.

After the car was repaired I decided to sell it. A yound Muslim (so he offered), made me the right offer and we went to the DMV to transfer the title. The DMV wanted an insurance policy from him but he didn't have the money, so I paid it for him with his promise of repayment. I never saw him or the money again.

More, later.

WEEKEND DATE

An absence of grandparents in my life left me with only one, an American grandfather. I never saw my Irish grandparents, and my American grandmother (from an Irish family ), died before I reached the age of three. My grandfather was not tuned into his grandchildren's lives (perhaps it was because he had 35 of them!), and so I had few opportunities to know him well, although I was one of the very few that paid any attention to him.

All of this to say that I was determined early on, to be a different kind of grandfather - one that would be involved in my grandchildren's lives, and so it has been.

One time I proposed a weekend date with my two granddaughters (grandson not yet born), and it was accepted. I drove to Richmond, then we took the train north to the Washington, D.C. area. We left the train at Alexandria and took a cab to the Key Bridge Marriott, in Arlinngton, just across the Potomac River from Georgetown.

We had the best time. After Saturday morning breakfast we went to the pool where I played the role of the GREAT WHITE SHARK coming after tender, young flesh. A nice lunch at poolside was followed by a nap. We had dinner in the motel and then took a walk through downtown Arlington.

Sunday morning, after breakfast, we went back into the pool, watched some TV until lunchtime, then back onto the traian for Richmond. FUN! FUN!!

More, later.

MY PARENTS (Part II)

As referred to in my previous blog (MY PARENTS), my aging parents' physical deterioration brought me to decision-time once more.

My first decision, for safety reasons, was to separate Dad from his car; not an easy task. When that happened, Dad became depressed. "Might as well be dead," he said. The next decision was brought about by my mother's poor eyesight. She was still cooking meals and counting their daily pills (although they seldom took them regularly). I was afraid that she would forget to turn off the stove and cause much harm to themselves and their neighbors.

All of these concerns disappeared when they agreed to enter a near-by nursing home. It was a clean, well-run organization and offered programs that they could enjoy.

On one of my visits to the home, Dad confided in that "This place is run by the Mafia - these guys walk around in dark suits and keep checking on things." I think I convinced him that they were probably state health inspectors.

I knew that their days were numbered. Even so, I wasn't prepared for the call I received in April of '87, while with dear son's family (he was traveling), that Mother had died. I can still see my dear daughter-in-law and granddaughter Kelly giving me consolation hugs; that was so helpful.

Dad died in early December. I felt these losses very much.

More, later.