Noise and Now the Quiet...

Fifteen of us sat down to the table during the celebration of Mom's life this past weekend. We didn't have to talk about what brought us together, just our presence spoke those thoughts. There was a lot of visiting, laughter and yes, some tears too. 

Sunday's Jason's Deli lunch
 from Wisconsin & NY cousins

As is tradition relatives and friends took care of the meals so the immediate family didn't have to think about food as we ate and we ate and we continued to graze throughout the weekend. Burge's smoked turkey salad, delicious apricot noodle kugel, Panera's sweet rolls and bagel breakfast, Chick Fil A's, a hearty cabbage roll dinner with noodles, Jason's deli trays and soup, sweet brisket, potatoes and carrots. Dad will have some great left overs for future meals.

But perhaps the most difficult part of the weekend were the departures for my Dad. 

First to hit the road heading for Atlanta before 7am Monday were my daughter Lori and her fiancé Evan, who by the way appropriately calls my Dad, Pappa just like the other grandchildren.

The next set of goodbyes came from the Texas branch of the family, my brother Keith and his family who had torrential rainstorms on their car ride home.   

Son Steven and his significant other Karen shared a yummy dumpling lunch with us before their airport departure on Monday. Texas storms would delay their Philadelphia return until 1:30 am the next day.

With a bit of time before the airport run we took a little walk around the Arkansas Arts Center.

Nephew Matt and his Pappa 

The remainder of the out of towners would stay one more night and leave Tuesday am. Unbeknownst to us until the last minute, returning college senior nephew Matt realized he was on the same flight  with us where we would all change planes in Chicago's O'Hare.

We have now departed the 'Rock' now, leaving my brother Marc and his wife Terri (both saints) and high school senior niece Becky who live in town. 

Marc, my saint of a Brother 

Marc has the toughest job living in town. He has been an amazing, loving caregiver for our folks, Mom and now just Dad. We are so lucky to have him as both he and his wife have hearts of gold.

Dad mentioned in our phone call last night that the passing of Mom now has had time to start sinking in as the noise of all of us is gone and the quiet surrounds him. I know it will not be an easy transition. 62 years together is a long companionship. 

We as his family can only hope he will find inner peace with all their memories and begins to fill in his days in a different yet productive way...