24Sep - 1Oct 2019 Trip to Oklahoma
This was a trip to see Mom and Dad. I flew in rented a car through Turo and a room through Airbnb. The car was a black Chevy. The room was at the home of a young couple in West Moore.
The car was okay except that there was something loose in the front suspension. The owner had a remote lock and starter system on the car. It worked out great. He had the car unlocked and started when I arrived at a strip mall where he had it parked. I took a Uber ride from the airport to get to the car.
The room was nice and included a private bathroom. I only talked to the wife and met her on a couple of occasions when I came home at night. My room was just inside the entrance and beyond that was a great room where she would be sitting watching TV. There was a big friendly dog that would always come and welcome me home.
I visited Mom and Dad everyday but at different times. One of the things I did while I was there was to find Aunt Neva's grave. She died several years ago and I wasn't able to attend her funeral. I had to go to the funeral home and ask for a map of the grave within the cemetery. Even then it took some time to find the headstone since it was covered with grass. I was happy to finally find it. She is buried next to her husband Lloyd.
I have very fond memories of Aunt Neva. I think her and Mom were very close. When they were both young and just starting their families Aunt Neva and Uncle Lloyd lived close by and from what I've been told the young married couples got together often. I wish I remember those times but I honestly don't. The only time I remember is being at a drive-in theater. There was a playground by the screen and my sisters Karen and Rainey, cousins Rhonda and Linda and I would play at the playground until the cartoons started. There was always a cartoon or two before the main feature started.
Uncle Lloyd died when I was very young and I don't remember him.
I visited Rhonda a couple of times recently before she died and she told me that she could rember her Dad. I am so glad.
I cleared off the grass and put some flowers in their vase.
I also drove out to the farm and walked around a little while I was there. So many memories of my childhood come back to me when I'm there walking around.
Then I drove to the first house I ever lived in.
I also drove to the apartment complex where Granny lived before she got sick. I walked to the door of her room on the third floor. I will always remember stopping and waving good bye to her as we turned the corner to get on the elevator. I miss her so!
Everytime I'm in Oklahoma I drive through Moore. Checkout the high school and sometimes go to a Moore Highschool football game. This time there was a game at the Junior High Football stadium. I played on the field many years ago. I played safety and I remember the best play I ever made was on that field. The opposing teams running back had just broken through our line and a was the last person that icould stop him from scoring. I drove and made a shoestring tackle. The crowds roared. I remember later asking Dad if the crowd was reacting to my amazing tackle or his great run. Dad of course said it was my tackle. The fact that I ask the question says a lot about me.
I also drove down 12th Street. That was the main drag in the 70s. I met someone special on the street on night.
In a way the song Main Street by Bob Seger takes me there.
I also went to the Oklahoma City Zoo while I was there. It just so happened that it was the night of the ZooBrew. Supposedly you had to have purchased your to ticket on line and the event was sold out but because I was already there I just hung around. Apparently when you checked in you got a little glass mug. With this mug you could walk up to any vender and they would fill your mug with their craft beer. Being the ultimate cheapskate I walked around trying to find a miss placed mug. Darn people gaurded their mugs like they were made out of solid gold. At one point this half drunk young lady came upto me and attempted to have a conversation. It was hilarious.
During my visit I also went to one of Brycen's football games. He is quite the young athletic, scoring 3 touchdowns.
As far as Mom and Dad, I think Mom has declined physically since I saw her in April. She had difficulty getting up from a chair. Dad was about the same and perhaps a little more engaging than in April.
It was a good trip and I'm glad that I went.