When I was in Ft Myers with my grandson taking keel boat sailing lessons, I told him, now that Meredith had passed, I was now able to attend his football games. I told him I would be at everyone of them. Yesterday, it almost felt like he was playing in Douglas County. To travel forth and back was only one hundred and twenty miles. I leave the office around three, no later then 30 minutes after as my trip takes me through the heart of Atlanta and DeKalb County. During the drive, the expressway will fluctuate between four lanes and at one point seven lanes wide. Trust me. If I left any later, I would still be trying to get to the game. I arrived early enough to get something to eat. It has been years, but I broke from my diet and sat down at the counter of the Georgia iconic restaurant, Waffle House. I ordered my favorite meal, The All Star, over light, wheat toast, scattered, sausage and the waffle. Due to lateness of the day I declined the coffee and had water. For my Northern friends who have not had the sheer pleasure of the All Star, I will inform the uninformed, this is the greatest balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and just fantastic overpowering flavor of a meal that has no beneficial food value any way look at it. Well the glass of water is good for you.
For the third week in a row, I arrive before the stadium gates open. I wait patiently. I watch all the booster members getting the stadium ready for the game. At six the gate opens and with ninety minutes of time to pass until kick off, I grab a seat and wait. The good guys come out and start to warm up. Grandson has told his mama, “It’s cool to come out and the only person in the stands is grandpa. He is real easy to see.” We give each other thumbs up. It gives me a warm fuzzy. The good guys won in a romp. I got home earlier then usual but was very tired. Fed the fish, the dogs did their circle dance and we were lights out by eleven.
We have now arrived at the namesake part of this rant. Weekends were difficult when Meredith was alive. Here was a strong woman reduced to a brain with sight and hearing but no control over voluntary movement. I had to sit with her for everything. Frustrating, spirit killing. I am glad she has left this body. But damn, it is empty. I ran an errand to pick up stuff. At least I put the salad stuff in the fridge. And now it is almost midnight. It will get better people say. Time to take the walk upstairs to the bedroom. It will get easier they say.
Time it was And what a time it was
It was a time of innocence A time of confidences Long ago, it must be I have a photograph preserve your memories they’re all that’s left you.