Thursday, June 11, 2009

Seasons...

You know I always get those emails that talk about friends come and go in seasons. I never thought much of it because my friends have always been there if I have needed them and we have always done the best to stay in touch and be there for each other.

However, I finally learned that there is probably some truth to it. I am hurt, frustrated and don't get it but at the end of the day, it is what it is, and it just isn't a call I will make the next trip home.

See, BALLER and I have been friends since I got out of college. We lived together for a few years, played ball together, etc. She moved a lot for her job and I was always the friend that went on road trips to see her, to IL, to TX, I even took off work and helped her move to IL when her family didn't.

But, as the seasons go, the friendship changed and really don't know if I can say she is a friend anymore. I invited her to my mom's party, I called her on my way back to town and what did I get from it - NOTHING. God forbid if BALLER would miss a weekly event to see a friend in town. God forbid if BALLER couldn't come and see me after her softball game instead of inviting everyone over to her house after the ball game.

I just think of all the efforts I have made over the past to keep the friendship there, the family functions I went to, how I cleared things so I could see her when she was back and town and basically, she couldn't fit me into HER schedule when I was back. It hurts, it sucks, and the best is she put it on me, that I didn't call, that I was busy with family, blah blah blah. Of course, it also makes sense why she has never come to see me in TX either.

There are seasons for friends.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

A Surprise Party, an Aunt, and a Funeral

Wow what a journey, a road trip that the planning started last year in August. Mom was turning 55. A surprise party it was. She didn't know I was coming back to Nebraska, she didn't know her sister and brother in law were coming back to Nebraska, and she didn't know we had a GIANT surprise party planned for her. The invitations were sent with strict orders....it was a surprise. Dad intercepted the mail with ease and she didn't realize that cards might be coming in the mail for her.

With the plan laid out, I began my journey back to Nebraska via car on Wednesday evening. The plan was to make it to OKC and stay the night there. Well, crinkle number one in the plan was that there is not any hotels on the north side of OKC. Once I did find one and went in, I was told my dogs were too big, pound sand. So, FINALLY around midnight, I found a place to lodge with the two pups. Since it was late and I had already talked to my brother & dad earlier in the night, I shut the ringer off and attempted to get some shut eye.

Well, I had to get up with the beasts at 5 because they need some bathroom time. I finally got up before 9 and already had a message from dad...but something in his voice was VERY different than the night before. It wasn't my imagination. They say God works in mysterious ways or maybe it was Grandma just waiting for all her Grand kids to be home, but God made the call and Grandma Schmidt went to join Grandpa, Roy and Brennan in Heaven.

After discussions with the family, it was decided that the surprise party would go on. DC was helpful in giving me airfare prices since my mom was demanding that we start looking at flights. I had to hurry to my parents house and check the mail since my dad was in Columbus helping with the funeral plans. I wish I would of video taped my mom walking in the door. The dogs greeted her and she kept saying "What are you two doing here" and the look on her face was priceless. The tears came with the "Happy Birthday."

Fast forward to later in the night when her sister and brother in law came around the back of the house and said Happy Birthday. It was the best birthday ever for her. I was able to cover Friday morning saying I was going to see friends and lunch with old co-workers so Trav & I could shop for food and prepare everything. We managed to get her out of the house and back for the Surprise without her every knowing.

The party didn't go as late as it probably would of since most of the family headed home early to prepare for Grandma's funeral. By the time dishes were done, it seemed like almost all were gone. But, my nephew was still there. Yep - I'm an aunt and can officially say it. Shane is a dad, a little boy, Gage Francis born on April 17th. He is a doll and I continue my speciality of putting the babies to sleep.

My trip was extended a day so I could make Grandma Schmidt's funeral. However, I think Grandma deserves her own post and I'll have to do that tomorrow. In the meantime, I need to get some zzzzzz's like the pups did all day!