Her 50th
November, 2025. A Monday morning. As usual at this time, I chat with Kat in Crofton, 8000 miles away.
“Mom, would you come to help me celebrate my 50th birthday?”
My mind races. Such a trip, although six months away, requires finances, packing, and care for things lift behind–like Sammy and a storage unit.
“Yes,” I answer with hardly a hesitation.
From that moment on, I am in preparation mode for the big trip:
1. contacting more than 100 worthy-cause organizations, requesting removal from their mailing lists and decreasing the amount of mail that would accumulate for four months.
2. sorting through my storage unit, disposing of all that I can and putting the rest into a private storage area that requires no rental fee.
3. securing a place for Sammy during my absence.
4. deciding what to take for a four-month stay and getting it all into two medium-sized suitcases.
All is accomplished and I fly to Wisconsin for a lovely three weeks with Heidi. That visit becomes the subject of four posts.
Then off to England I fly.
After six days, the reason for the focus of my last six months arrives! Kat’s milestone birthday is here!
It includes a big breakfast at Cannon Hall, a farm turned tourist spot a half-hour away.
Then onto Hull on the east coast, my first time, and to The Deep, a Newport-type aquarium. The exhibits and information are laid out so well, engaging and informative, with many opportunities to see ocean life up close.
We cross the Humber Bridge, the UK’s largest suspension bridge. The river seems a giant and compares to the Columbia and Mississippi in width.
That evening, we dine at The Castle, where I really enjoy for the first time a Swedish non-alcoholic drink, Rekorderlig strawberry lemonade cider.
Finally, three days later, the family is able to get together for a barbeque in the backyard of Adam and Cami, Ian’s son and daughter-in-law. 14 people of three generations gather for the occasion. Cami has hung birthday streamers above the table loaded with pulled pork, slow-cooked chicken, corn on the cob, burgers, and sausages. Such a feast! And conversation abounds!
So, the initial reason for my visit has come and gone.
But the days to come will be filled with one-day trips and assisting Kat with her own downsizing efforts and home maintenance. It is good to spend time with her. Thank you, Lord.
