All day yesterday I listened to the radio and did laundry. The sky was gray and cold landscaped with falling snow. A perfect day to bang out a chore that I despise, but find great triumph when the last sock is put away and the shirts all hung.
Our laundry facility is in the basement and I’m up in the penthouse on the third floor. Laundry day is combined with a good workout as well.
About two loads into the day I received a text message from an old friend.
I just walked up the backstairs and I looked out the window and there was my friends car. So now I’m hustling down the front stairs.
The visit was a combination of a couple things. We have been friends since we met at Chris and Tina’s wedding in the late 1980’s. She worked at the Merc and I was at the Board. So we hit it off and the friendship lasted longer than our trading floors.
The visit was kind of a well being check and didn’t last long. I was able to get some things off my chest with someone that I trust.
The visit was a “two birds with one stone” trip for my friend. She grew up in Riverside and her parents still live in the neighborhood.
One of the ongoing subjects on the Chalkboard is my relationship with my Oldman. My stories sparked my friend to go visit her father. He’s eighty three and she knows his day’s are possibly numbered.
First, it made me happy that a dear friend stopped by on a snowy Saturday. More importantly it moved me that the Morning Chalkboard was the catalyst for her visit to see her daddy.
On another snowy Saturday story my cousin sent me a text. My aunt had a knee replaced last week and her daughter is spending a week and a half with her parents.
They are obviously aging as well. My Uncle is probably the most well read person I know. My aunt has stuck with me since day one. That’s over 20,650 days that my auntie has been holding my hand.
So my cousin is down in Indianapolis hanging out (taking care) of her aging parents for nine days.
Back to her text.… Auntie is recovering well. Uncle is moving slowly, but what is so special about this story, the last text….
“I just cut my dad’s toenails. Opening wine now. Smiley Face."
I’d do anything to drive over to 220 South Lombard and clip my Oldman’s crooked ugly ass toes.
Many of us have parents in heaven, but if you still have them, make me envious….
…..Enjoy them on a snowy Saturday afternoon.
The Merc Chick and my Baby Cousin are two strong daughters making great memories while I’m folding laundry and listening to my Saturday programs on WDCB.
The laundry is done and Sunday Funday is Championship football day. I think I need to fill a growler with some BuckleDown and chop some onions.
Chop onions…. That only means one thing, I’m putting a sausage into a bun.
Give Sunday some love, call your parents if you can or do what I do… pray to them. It’s the next best thing.
