An Unexpected Visit

Kim got the word last night that her father was now under hospice care. Jamie decided to bring his family up to visit his father, probably for the last time. We are only one hour and 25 minutes from his house. We invited them to spend the night so they could visit him today and tomorrow. As it turned out, I brought two nice sized pork roasts (making German hunter’s schnitzel), extra baking potatoes and all of the kale in my garden. The two teenagers prefer peas to kale; we had at least a dozen cans. When hubby and I went to Mass, we stopped at the grocery store and I bought a cucumber and corn bread. Our meal was complete. Mancil made Cindy’s birthday cake (using my mother’s famous pound cake recipe), I bought a quart of freshly harvested strawberries and Cool Whip so we even had a nice dessert to share. We have the quiche and blueberry coffee cake so breakfast is taken care of as well. I think there was some Divine intervention when I packed the food this time. How often would I bring enough dinner for eight when there are only four of us? Kim is coming up to visit him tomorrow but cannot stay. Kristen is trying to formulate a plan. So glad we are close by to offer assistance. We were married for 23 years; I can’t help being sad for him and my children. Our BIL changed the oil and filled up the four-wheeler tanks and took the two kids for a long ride to distract them when they arrived. See my extra. Otherwise, my sister and I spent the day preparing the meal and readying everything for guests. Hoping your weekend is going fine. Stay safe. Thanks for your visit. “It is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our priorities.” —L. Tom Perry