Mother thinks my kitchen is a deli. She always checks my kitchen counter for a biscuit to go with her coffee when she comes in the back door. At the end of every visit, she snags another to take home for a snack as well as raiding the fridge before leaving. I caught this picture of her leaving yesterday. You see the eggs in her hand. In her hobo’s bundle, she has a container of fruit salad, another of turkey salad, and a piece of pound cake. Last week she had a surprise lunch guest and couldn’t wait to tell me what a fine lunch she’d whipped up: turkey and dressing, canned fruit, and cake. It was my home-canned turkey, my home-made dressing, and sour cream pound cake. I do believe she had to spring for the peas. I’ll bet she never breathed a word of where all that food came from. Of course, she had a plate of my pickled veggies on the side.
Anyway, that is not the story I set out to tell. For Mother, leaving is a process. First, she announces she’s leaving and gathers her gleanings from my kitchen. Then, I go out to turn her car around and take the first load of stuff. She follows to watch. She has a little trouble backing out around our vehicles and camper trailer. She keeps an eagle eye on me, then heads back to use the bathroom one last time before heading that long seven miles home, or wherever is next on her agenda. She has to pet Buzzy a bit and hunt Bud up from wherever he’s escaped to say “Goodbye,” because she might not see him for a day or two. Then she has two get a drink of water and talks a minute on the way out. Sometimes she gets all the way to the car before remembering she’s left her jacket, phone, or maybe an obituary or newspaper article she brought to show me. That necessitates a little more visiting. Eventually, she makes it all the way to her car. It’s not over yet! Finally settled in, she makes a phone call or two before hitting the road, unless she’s forgotten to tell me something and has to come back in for a minute. Her average leaving time is eleven minutes, though it’s not unusual to take thirteen. She’s so little she has to sit on three cushions!
Your mum is such a character! I think it is wonderful how she still maintains her independence (despite raiding you cupboards)!!! 🙂
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It’s worth the drive.
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Oh , yes it certainly seems like it! 🙂
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This story has made my day. I love the hobo bag. And the lunch she whipped up. And the…. well, obviously all of it. Mostly, I love her smile.
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I will tell her. She enjoyed doing it.
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She should be in her own series…..wait….she has a book! 😉
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Sure did.
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Enjoy every single second you can spend with your mom no matter what she says or how many times she repeats herself or if she takes some of your food. I lost my mom when she was just 55 and I sure wish I was you. She sounds wonderful to me and she is funny too. Love it. ☺☺☺
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She is a pure delight. She loves this stuff I write about her. See her big smile! We have a great time!
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God bless your Mom if she is still able to drive safely at her age. I’m becoming concerned about my mother-in-law, who at 88 has begun telling us that she sometimes can’t remember how to get to the grocery store that she has visited every single day for the last 30 years. Hope we don’t get one or those calls that she’s been located in the next county when all she set out to do was drive to the nearest mailbox. Unfortunately, she’s still “with it” enough that we can’t just take the keys away from her. but we are trying to convince her not to renew her car lease when it comes up in a couple of months.
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Mother drives just fine. She’s just so little she can barely see over the wheel. She has her seat on the highest position and still sits on three pillows.
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Exactly what I had a mind to say: Your mom is a f.i.r.e.c.r.a.c.k.e.r. 😀 😀
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Your mother is a cutie. The hobo stick with the packet of goodies is classic and her beaming smile beats everything else. How she drives at her age is a miracle.
Susie
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She is only 4’10” so visibility is an issue. I take her everywhere except Walmart, church, and her coffee group.
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Can I come over and get stuff for my lunch too? Your Mom sounds like a great lady!!!
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I can promise you no one ever left my house hungry. If you came by right now I would give you shortcake and fried chicken. You could have a hamburger to take home for tonight.
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I will be right over!!!!
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Any time!
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LOL!
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I was thinking the same…if you are fortunate…that will be you with the hobo bag ! Too funny.
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No kidding!
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They say it’s not getting there, it’s the journey. It seems your Mom has taking it to heart and that includes getting started too.
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She is a firecracker!
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Linda–did this ever strike a chord. Why does the process of leaving a friend or relative’s house take so long? Mom’s picture with the hobo bag was too much.
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She is a good sport!
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You and Mom gave me inspiration for a post idea–thanks.
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Please send me link. Can’t wait.
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Will do.
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Look forward to it.
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Here’s the link, https://www.itinerantneerdowell.wordpress.com/2017/02/12/never-can-say-goodbye/
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If the link failed try http://www.itinerantneerdowell.wordpress.com/ then go to post titled, “never could say goodbye,” posted 2-12-2017.
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Thanks. Reblogged it.
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LOLOL Someday, you’ll be your Mom Linda 😄😄😄
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My daughter says it’s happening already.
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It’ll be her turn later 😄😄😄
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That’s a promise!
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👍😄😄😄
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