A Funeral, and a Birthday today.

The weekend is here and Wahoo, at least that is how I used to think. I now need the rest to make it through another week. I think there is a correlation between plans for future retirement, and my working now. Seams that the more I ready and plan for the future, the less I desire working now. I still like to work, just wanting to get on with the plan we have developed.

November 15th today, Yesterday Polly and I went to a funeral for her friend Betty. Was a surprise when we found out about Betty's passing, I went to check my e-mail last week, and there was a note from Chris on FB, that Betty had and aneurism, and died.  I was surprised, and when I told Polly she was shocked. Isn't that the way it goes, you can't help but be shocked, as the unexpected just hits you face first.

We had a plan to be in Port Alberni already as we were to celebrate Polly's Mom, Memere's Birthday as she turns 96 tomorrow.

We traveled the highway early with less traffic than we usually have, and made it to PA in an hour, much faster than usual. Strait to the funeral at the All Saints Church. Was a packed house, as Betty was a friendly person, and still working, so her connections were many. We made it in early before the many that came. Was long for me as usual, things have to be said. Hard bench, and my back screaming, well I just thought at least I'm still here and alive. Betty was a beautiful person, she will be missed by many. Before it started, Chris a friend sat with us, and I had time to catch up with her, was nice, Lois also sat with us, was nice to see her, she said she liked all the pictures from our trip. Adel came and snuck in close to Polly, and they had a yak while we waited for things to proceed.

When the ceremony ended we all filed over to the hall next door, and were greeted in by Betty's children, and husband Walter. I noticed how we all look around for people we know, and can connect with, sit with talk with. As you age don't things change. I talked with Chris about how we used to go to parties, and dances, and she said now more funerals. A little food, a little coffee, we all talk about Betty, and in a more fun way we remember the good times, and reconnect with people we haven't seen for many years.

I saw Cindy in the entrance, a person I haven't  talked with for awhile, she was talking with Sandy, someone I haven't seen for awhile either. Boy did Sandy ever look good. Cindy and I started to talk, and Sandy left for the hall, and Cindy and I had such a good talk. Her son and mine are fiends, and there was just lots to share. Was nice to connect. Cindy had cancer, and is finished the treatment for now, and started back to work part time, she looked good. I found out where Ted, her son and family were living, and will make time for a visit when we are in town sometime soon. Ted just moved back, as he works in Alberta, like many from BC did when no work here, but now they are moving back. Cindy did a good job of raising her kids I told her, she came back with how Chris was so nice, I did a good job too. I did my best, now as I look back, life was good and still is.

Polly tells me as we were about to leave that we had an invite to her friend Chris's Moms hose for a drink after with the family. We went, and had a few good laughs about the old days when Chris and Polly were growing up, and all the antics that happen in our younger years. Was a real fun time, and I got to know them all just a little better.

We did talk much about travel, as we all had trailers, and where they went, and what they saw, and how to camp here and there. Which route to take, and what to watch out for. I guess this will be our next turn in life, we will learn all about how to do this traveling efficiently, and once we get good at it we may then loose interest? I don't know but I see a pattern here... LOL

Later in the evening we go to the casino to celebrate Polly's Mom, Memere's 96th Birthday...  Wow, 96 years seems like a long time to live, and I tell her as I congratulate her that 100 will be soon, she say I hope so. Some live long, and some go before they have finished what they want to do. Polly and I talk about what we want to do before we run out of options, and we agree, lets do what we want now, before we are finished.

Was an interesting evening, family gather at the table, Memere get cards and presents and makes a announcement when she finishes opening, just how much she appreciates this, "Thank you all for doing this for me!" she says. We all see the earnestness she has in her face. Dinner and cake Polly made, and then Memere gets down to business... Let's go gamble! LOL she still has it, that juice that keeps us going in life. Love it!

Dan and I help her to the 1st machine, and she doesn't do so well, but later she hits a good jackpot, and makes over $300.00 so she is happy, she loves to play the machines. I gamble, Polly Gambles, and we all have a turn at winning through the night, Polly makes almost $200, I make about $80, and we all put most of it back in. but we had fun, and Memere will be talking about the big win for awhile. 

Was a real nice night all in all, and this morning when I write, I still think how things work out, for reasons we don't get, some live long and some just don't. Hope I make it long... and fun, and interesting.