irielife.net

DAY 3 of my business trip to Oregon.
I have watched him drive long distances and seen how he reacts to crazy drivers, how he insists I wear my seatbelt, and how he handles long stretches of highway that would invite lesser individuals to get a few speeding tickets. He made me a fabulous roast supper (yes, including lots of green beans) on Sunday and has been equally impressive, mealwise, ever since. I observed him while he coached the women’s and men’s soccer teams and admired his patience and his willingness to accept negative feedback. We went with two others from the singles ward to visit two elderly women, only one of which we saw because the first took a good hour and a half – she was an amazing woman!

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She – Marie O’Neil – came over from Germany after the war knowing only “I love you” in English, to marry a man whom she had never met and with whom she’d had only written correspondence for six months. They married immediately. I told Josh he and I don’t have it so bad, this long distance thing.

Marie has family that she never sees and has been widowed for 6 years. Naturally she has collected many trinkets and knick-knacks, and has had much time on her hands to knit and crochet some amazing creations. Josh and I were more comfortable with her than the other two who were with us and we coaxed out some great stories, some which she told us repeatedly! She is currently writing about her life for posterity. She sang, danced, played the piano for us and moved surprisingly quickly around her cluttered little double wide. She gave Josh a blanket she knit herself and then gave me a cream colored glass nightlight in the shape of some birds or something, with gold detailing at the edges (Josh mentioned I was afraid of the dark). So we enjoyed that and I was able to rally the other two guys who were with us to go the extra (more than a few) miles to go visit the other lady tonight. I’m telling you, Josh and I would be unstoppable and would haveto open not just a shelter but would probably also join the Micklesons in the Retirement Home endeavor.

Anyway, after that uplifting experience, Josh and I played some basketball, during which he scared me with his game face and competitive edge. but then today I got to see him teach a class of handicapped kids (all with varied and unknown handicaps) and was impressed enough that I’m less concerned about what might occur on a basketball court. That brings us all up to speed, he’s weightlifting right now while I, after the pattern of all Joneses, review his anatomy and physio labs.

I don’t know how it can get more eventful from here, but I’ll post again at the end of the week (making up for lost time, mom)