Dad's holiday

Hello anyone who reads this. I know this is nearly a month and a half past the event itself, but life has thrown us a curve ball or tow. I am only catching up one story at a time whenever I get a free moment. I fear that by the time I catch up, I may be in to next year as I will be missing current events in order to salvage past events.

So here goes...just two days after Brandon's return from Australia Dad arrived in Portland for a week! I met my client's for their three day visits the day before his arrival, leaving me essentially available to visit and share time with Dad.

Before Dad arrived when he first mentioned coming out, I asked him what this vacation looked like to him. He replied "I want to play games, sit around, and have people come visit me." So that is precisely what I intended to accomplish. While it was a major task to rearrange our lives to accommodate his wishes, we managed and I felt good that every one's efforts resulted in him being able to see people without being overwhelmed. Or, if he did get overwhelmed by the onslaught of visitors he did not complain.

I was greeted by him at the airport by his usual smile after he eased my presumably evident, tension at seeing him wheeled out by a porter; he simply said his back was killing him. I was glad to see that he was using resources available to him.

Just as we were about two miles from home Charissa rang to say that she was out of gas, and could I pick Jordan up from his climbing camp. It seems that a small part in the gas line was defective, eating up more gas than usual and throwing off the gas gauge. So we turned around, got a gas can filled, collected a very happy Jordan. Jordan was able to use this time have Grandpa Vergara's undivided attention. He was delighted, so a potential tragedy turned out to be a treasured moment for an exuberant little boy and an excited visitor.

Charissa got gas, AND a gas can, so all's well that ends well. So, while dad and Jordan had a few minutes to themselves I managed to get lunch on the table for hungry travelers, climbers and busy mommies.