The Thompson Trials and Travels

For some reason...today I felt the presence of my Grandmother more than I have in a long time. Her spirit is as real and fresh as it was in August 1987 when she died. I smell her.......she smells like wildflowers and flour for some reason. I can feel her hands... smooth and soft from years of use....nails hard and strong...and painted red. A gold band with tiny diamonds circles her ring finger. I can see her face as clearly as I did as a child...hair perfectly combed and set...glasses resting on the brim of her nose...a small mole on the side of her nose...and a gold rim around a tooth that winked at me when she smiled. She was my haven...she was my heaven. She told me...taught me...that I could do anything. No fear. She raised me to be the person I am today. The moment you get up...you make your bed. "Can you imagine crawling into an unmade bed at night?" she would ask. She would be dissappointed in me...sometimes I don't make my bed up for weeks. At her house sheets we...

I just watched a movie that a friend recommended..The Journey. It makes you stop and think. It's the dash..........the dash is all that matters. Robin V Thompson...born 1955 - (dash) 20xx... it's the dash that matters. You are born...and then you die.....what did you do within the dash?

Yesterday my brother and his children stopped by...Derrek (sp? can't remember if it's Derek, Derreck, Derrick???) and his new bride, and Misha and her new beau. With all that our family has experienced, it amazes me that these young ones are so pure of heart. No animosity...no judgement...just love. Misha has experienced a little more "family time" than Derrek has, so I do not blame her for not wanting to sit around the campfire with everyone. She knows who she is and what she wants. I'm just thankful that she allows me to be part of her life. She is a beautiful young woman! I asked Derrek how he managed to avoid all of the turmoil and he said it was because he wasn't there during the arguments... that his Grandmother was his Grandmother...and that was pretty much it. I adore him!!! He's probably the smartest one of all of us. We sat around and watched Zeke put on his show...playing Spiderman and riding his Harley. It made my day...sitting and watching ...

My cousin was in a car accident Thursday evening. His girlfriend, the passenger in his car, died on impact. Three other cars were involved... several people were taken to the hospital. Serious injuries...critical condition...so said the local papers. A parents worse nightmare...having the police knock on your door to tell you your child has been in an accident and has killed someone. A mother sitting watching her son as the ventilator breathes for him...looking into vacant eyes...holding a hand that is cold and withdrawn. Another mother having to select clothes her daughter will wear for eternity...heart is breaking for everyone. Labor Day weekend...suicide machines...why are we in such a hurry to get there..