Monday Morning

Well, we're awake.

We started yesterday afternoon with the most delicious potato salad you have ever tasted. And to think - the maker had been living next door all along. My Oh My!

Family gathered for a little Boley brainstorming - when in times of crisis - create! That seems to be the way we deal with life. The grandchildren are busy planning their contribution to Betty's memorial and their efforts are beyond wonderful. I'm still working on the obituary this morning. I've had all these months, but it seems I've been busy writing a blog and now I have to face reality.

As food started to arrive we arranged things as we always have, and when the grandchildren arrived they stood in the kitchen crying. When asked, they explained things looked like Grandma had done it. We continue her tradition, but to tell the truth Betty would have prepared twice as much so I had a little chuckle.

Raymond went to bed early after an exhausting day. I checked on him at 10 and he wasn't asleep so I coaxed him into trying a Tylenol PM. He was still in bed this morning when I woke and that is a first. He usually rises with the sun. Breakfast is soon to arrive via another dear friend. Sausage balls and breakfast casserole are promised.

Sharon and Raymond are going to do a little banking this morning and then he wants to take a walk in the woods. It's hard to let him go, I'd rather Dennis accompany him, but he is a grown man so I must trust that we've done a good job raising him and he will make good choices.

Right now he is busy tidying up, rearranging pillows, unloading the dishwasher, and standing at the door awaiting breakfast.

When we visited the funeral home yesterday we found that Betty is already back in Scottsburg. That is a huge comfort to Raymond and all. A dear friend's child worried that someone would take her Daddy when left at the funeral home over night. I know that feeling. Another of our children wanted to remove her Grandpa's suit coat so it wouldn't get dirty when he was buried.
No matter the age of the grieved individual, those child like concerns remain. It must have been hard for Sharon and Dennis to leave after Mother's death. We hadn't left her alone for so long.

Betty's cremation will occur after the legal requirements are satisfied. It seems red tape continues even after our death. And so the old adage, "nothing is sure except death and taxes," can now be extended with the addition of the words "and red tape."

Our Grateful Boley Family