Tales of the Ordinary Days

Day 23 | 30 Days of Writing Last night in Kingman Today was our last day in Kingman before we hit the road again. It doesn't feel like we've been gone for over a week. In fact, thinking about being back home next Sunday made me a little sad. Our epic road trip is living up to expectations and going by way too quickly. I also noted that my 30 day writing exercise coincidentally ends with day 30 being the night we pull back into our driveway. Thoughts were starting to stir on which writing project I should take on next. Mom helped relieve me of this decision. I am now officially on the the writing team for the Pick Family History book. We spent the afternoon going through Mom's mounds of documents, files, and research with her. Google file sharing will be our saving grace as other contributors include mom's brothers in DC and Indiana, and sister in Idaho. My very organized mother white-boarded her outline of the book contents with many notes on key points...

Day 22 | 30 Days of Writing Zeke enjoying his chewy stick at Uncle Matt's house Day 2 in Kingman, Arizona. My brother, Matt, has now said on at least a couple of occasions, "Today was a perfect day." And that it was. We hung out all day with Zeke as the center of our attention. From football watching to dog walks, light conversations were ongoing with a set agenda non-existent. My husband, the Purdue grad, was very happy with the main game outcome today. Zeke didn't take sides, although he does now have his first two team bandanas to wear proudly on game days. These gifts from Uncle Matt include a blue NAU and a golden Iowa number. Matt worked on his bike in the garage for bits of the afternoon while Mom and I sat at the table with computer and iPads. Football games were on at least three TV/device screens throughout the day. Zeke rotated from garage to the living room to the backyard, depending on the human of interest and doggy desire of the moment. ...

Day 21 | 30 Days of Writing The parents We made it to Kingman, AZ. It's been way too long. I love both the laid back pace and the great company. Now not only do I get to spend time with my parents, but my newly Arizona transplanted brother, Matt, as well. About a month ago when we were planning this trip, my father-in-law, Larry, was waffling on joining us. His reasons were valid, but it wasn't what I wanted to hear. I really wanted our road trip to happen and to have Larry be a part of it. After a lengthy discussion, listening through his list of pros and cons, I finally came clean with him. "You've never met my parents. It would really mean a lot to me for you and my parents to meet. This may be the only chance." My parents are perfectly happy in their new house and are done with the hassles of TSA and airports. We now go to them rather than them to us. Fair enough. I owe them big for all the times they bailed me out when the boys were growing up ...

Mom & Me selfie outside Del Webb Wellness Center in Kingman, AZ I recently talked to a friend about pursuing her passion in her next career. Currently in between jobs, she is looking to jump from the insurance world to the hospice world. Most would see this as a leap of faith. I see it as a great fit and a huge asset to those who will benefit from her strengths and desire to serve her greater purpose. My friend's husband died many years ago. Raising her child on her own after a lengthy period of caring for her young, ailing husband, I see no one better equipped to help others work through end-of-life. As we talked through her transition and desires, I immediately thought about a favorite book of mine, "Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande. The author, a practicing physician, argues that quality of life is the desired goal for patients and families. Gawande tells wonderful real-life stories of elderly and hospice care demonstrating that the last years or months of ...