We're In the Middle of Part One

Wow. Not even sure where to begin. I've been wanting to get on here for a few days and now that I am, I'm not even sure what to say.

Maybe it's because there's no stress. See, we're on vacation right now. It's sort of a two part vacation.

The first part is here in Denver, where we're visiting Chuck's mom and sister. His mom was moved into assisted living a few months ago and his sister is now living alone. She had a stroke a few years ago and is paralyzed on her right side. We're here just helping around the house, cleaning the carpets and just loving on them. To be honest, it's been hard to see them like this. They're both aging and their health is getting worse. Chuck's sister never married and has always lived with their mom, they've taken care of one another and always been there for each other. (Chuck's dad died about 50 years ago.) And now mom is in assisted living and it's been so hard for them. His sister is having to take care of the house by herself, with only one hand and barely able to walk. We'll do what we can but it's hard living so far away.

We drove to Colorado and going through Eastern Washington and Idaho we saw all the smoke from the wild fires. We didn't actually see the fires themselves and I'm wondering if they're out by now. Not much about them on the news here in Denver.

 

 

 

 

 This country is so beautiful! I love the scenery and the different landscapes. And I love seeing it by car!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we worked at the house, then met them for lunch at a Thai restaurant right across from the nursing home. The weather has been beautiful, thank goodness! Chuck's mom isn't able to get into a car so Chuck pushed her across the street in her wheel chair. She told us this afternoon that is was too traumatic for her. :(

We came back to the hotel and the girls went swimming again. They love to swim! We need to do this more often at home.

 

 

On Friday, our real vacation begins. The girls fly home and Chuck and I continue driving... to Banff!! We'll be spending a week celebrating our 30th Anniversary. Just the two of us, relaxing, reading, seeing Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise. 

We. Can't. Wait!