Can't believe it is March already........... I am really looking forward to Spring. It has been a long cold winter. We have had lots of snow and more recently, lots of rain. Most of the snow has gone, although we did get a little this week. Forecasts predict warmer weather in the near future, but we are only cautiously optimistic as they also warn, winter is not done with us yet, and we may still get more snow.
We celebrated Paul's birthday in early February - his 58th. It was very special, as we realised that doctors had predicted he would not be here! John and Alex and Erin and Chris were here and we had a great time as usual.
Our happiness in February was short-lived as we were given the news that my brother Dennis has Stage 4 lung cancer which has spread to his bones, liver and other organs. At this point in time, it is still very hard to come to terms with, and it feels surreal. As usual his wit and humor is still forefront in all conversations and it seems he is the one helping us deal with it. He now signs off on his emails to me as "graveyard Den" and has told me, that I can do whatever I like when I get there, as he will side with me and no-one will go against "Terminal Man"!!!!! He said he intends to use that whenever necessary to get his way!!!!
After 7 years absence, I am heading back to Australia next week. Unfortunately, it will be a short visit, given the distance (one usually stays longer to make the travel worthwhile). With Paul's health and the wedding looming, I feel I can't be away too long. I am leaving on St. Patrick's Day and returning to Delton on 3rd April.
I get very excited at the prospect of catching up with my brothers and sisters and many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews, but it is short lived when I remember the reason for my visit.
We have such a large, loving, close family, my days will be full and I know the time will pass very quickly.
Below is a copy of an email received today telling me about my second Day in Oz. My first will also be hectic. My niece Carmel, together with her husband James and their darling baby boy Jude (can't wait to smooch him), will meet me at the airport in Sydney. They are also picking up my sister Maureen and her husband Michael who fly in 15 mins. after me from New Zealand where they have been vacationing.
We will then drive to Goulburn and that evening we are having a family gathering with Maureen and Michael's 4 kids together with their offspring (8 grand nieces and nephews)! The next morning I catch a train to Wagga Wagga where I will be met by Louise and Matthew. The email then tells me what I am doing on the Saturday.
The email
"Kathy coming home to make amends to her dying brother"
Kathy arriving Wagga Wagga on train from Goulburn 2pm Saturday 21st March.
To be met by Louise & Matthew, who will then drive them to John & Venky's house, Springdale Heights.They will freshen up, make themselves look beautiful. (Small achievable goals, Please)? And meet other family members at Holy Spirit Church, Prune Street, Lavington, for 6pm Mass.
Attendees will be: Louise, Matthew.John, Venky, Michael.Dennis.Chris McMahon and Wal.Paul & Dorothy.Kathy Dydalowicz.Frank & Mary Smyth.
Kathy can enter by side entrance, and view proceedings from "Baby's Crying Room".
Mass Duties:
Matthew: Altar Server.
John & Paul: Collections.
John & Louise: Readings.
Chris & Wal: Offertory Procession.
### After Mass we all travel to The Albury Commercial Golf Club for a Lenten Dinner. (Unleavened bread, lentils, rice, steamed veggies etc. No meat in Lent). Perhaps we could make an exception as it is a Saturday and not a Friday.!!!!! We will be met at The Club by the following: Nicole, Joshua and Daniel.Apologies: Pat & Joan, have a previous commitment.
Dennis or John to say Grace before meal.
Paul to give welcome speech to Kathy, and shooort farewell to young Dennis. (He tends to become intoxicated by the exuberance of his own verbosity, but remember he is in his twilight years, early to middle dementia etc. etc. Be Christian, humour him, don't snigger and applaud loudly as a team when you want him to shut up).
Remember to tend lovingly to Dennis during the evening, we can't all pay his expenses, but we can slip money into his jacket pockets (hopefully he will leave it on the back of his chair), when he is in the toilet or outside having a smoke.
Poor bastard still doesn't have a down payment on a cardboard casket.
Kathy will see Paul & Dozza safely home at night's end, and stay with them for some days before branching out to spend nights with Dennis, John & Venky, Pat & Joan. She will advise us of her itinerary during the evening.
Louise & Matthew will see John & Venky & Michael safely home at night’s end, and stay with them for the night before awaiting further instructions regarding Sunday’s activities before their return home to Wagga later in the day. End of Email
As you can see - it appears that I am viewed as the "embarrassing black sheep" of the family. I have to be smuggled into the side door of the church and stay at the back. Do they think the roof will fall in???????????
I remember enough to know that one can eat meat on Saturday's in lent!!!!
I do know also that I will be back to church on Sunday morning as my new nephew is getting Christened! I know there will be a party after that as well. Hopefully with all this church going (this is only the first weekend), I will come back a better person (if that is possible)! lol
My brother Pat is also have a 60th birthday bash the following weekend. I bet he is happy that his much younger sister from America will be there to enhance the atmosphere!
I have been busy organising things here for Paul in my absence and I can now leave knowing that he will have plenty of supplies - food, drink, medication to tide him over til my return.
Our wonderful friends and neighbours have volunteered to assist him any way necessary while I am away, and I know Paul won't hesitate to call on them if there is something he needs. Bobby Bennett may come and stay for a few days if he is able to get away.February was also the 5 year marker for Kelly. She has now been in remission for 5 years!!!! She had a big check up last week and x-rays, blood work etc. were all normal. Thank God and roll on another 55 years of remission!!!!
Kyler is getting christened this weekend in Atlanta. I did plan to be there, but with my trip to Oz it was a bit difficult to organise. Erin and Chris are there and Paul and I will be there in spirit.
Erin and Chris were up this past weekend, and we now seem to have the wedding fairly well organised. It worries me that it has gone so smoothly - everyone thinks that I am frantically planning the wedding and it is just not so. I am slowly organising it, taking pleasure in it, and so far it is 'hassle free" What the heck am I missing or forgetting????
There will be no pictures this blog as this is just a quickie. You can bet though that next blog, there will be gabillions of them - my trip and Kyler's christening!
Love to you all, Kathy
