connecting through Dallas because I heart that friend-connection, best neighbors, & Blue Bunny

I missed my chance to take a photo of
 both dogs outside STARING at us wanting
 to come in. Oh, those FACES.
This is Clementine. 

It did my heart good to be with my friends in Dallas for 2 hours after I landed Thursday night. I used to babysit for them, he's a former Bear, appears in the Super Bowl Shuffle, rocking a cowbell. I flew the next leg of my trip to Uncle's Fri morning. I forgot my friends had a cat (and 2 dogs). My throat started to close and my breathing was labored, but have no fear - I persevered. 

Once I start telling a story, let nothing stand in my way. Words to live by, friends. 

*There  must've been less 'cat' in the guest room, and I slept fine and my airway remained open, which was nice. 

Uncle's neighbor, Mr. Best, insisted on picking me up from the airport, even though he'd picked up Mike the night before and I offered to take a cab.

The Best couple initially lived 60  miles away from Uncle. Years ago, their 9 month old, Ann, had one seizure after another. They saw Uncle, a neurologist, and everything changed. He  provided great care. Uncle continued to treat Ann until he retired. 

Puppy George.

Eight years ago they moved to Uncle's neighborhood where Mrs. Best's mother already lived -a block away from Uncle. They never really knew Aunt, who passed about 4.5 years ago, but they got to know Elizabeth over the last year or so. 

They are COMPLETELY indebted to Uncle and would do anything for him. No exaggeration. They feel his loss heavily and are doing all that they can to support him. 

Uncle reserved a private room and invited the Bests to join us for brunch on Saturday, but Ann had a Special Olympics basketball event. We did dinner Friday night instead. 

We were a few minutes late because Uncle took a late nap. When we arrived the Bests were seated at a table in the open dining area. Mike politely told the hostess that this wouldn't work. Uncle wanted the secluded space because it was quiet, and that is where we would sit. After assuring them we'd be gone before the next group, we had a wonderful meal in our quiet space. Everyone politely refused dessert, but Uncle has a sweet tooth - clearly my blood relation. 

Me to the waitress:  WELL, MAYBE JUST TELL US WHAT DESSERTS YOU HAVE. 

Thanks to the power of suggestion, we each ordered something. I had pumpkin crème brulee. Aka a little bit of heaven. Uncle's carrot cake looked divine.

The next night we ate dinner at the Best's house. She heated up rotisserie chicken for me while they ate lasagna. I worked all day packing the crystal, china, etc. that Uncle and Dad wanted shipped to Chicago. There was very little I could eat at Uncle's and I didn't want to take a grocery break. I was half starved. I ate so much salad that Uncle teased me.

Ann showed off the gold medal that she won earlier that day. She credited the movie Space Jam for her basketball skills. She is a delightful, witty woman in her late 40s. Mrs. shared a story of when Ann competed in a bowling event. Her bestie was in the same event. Ann got a medal and friend got a ribbon. Feathers were ruffled. 

Ann:  WELL, SHE SHOULDA REMEMBERED THE SPECIAL OLPYMIC OATHE INSTEAD OF BEING UPSET:  if I don't succeed, let me be happy in the trying (I'm paraphrasing). 

Ann:  (when they talked about a trip to Disneyland) THAT WAS BECAUSE YOU SENT ME THERE FOR ONE OF MY BRAIN SURGERIES, DR. 'UNCLE'. 

Mrs. Best turned to me:  EVERY SPECIALIST THAT WE WENT TO KNEW UNCLE. EACH OF ANN'S 3 BRAIN SURGEONS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNRTY NOT ONLY KNEW UNCLE, BUT WERE IN AWE OF HIM. HE WAS THE BEST DOCTOR AND HE TRULY LOVES MY CHILD.  

Mrs. Best's mother, Gran-mare, stole the show. (I now wish my name was Mary so my grandkids would call me Gran-mare. Perhaps Gran-air will suffice, if you know you know). She's almost 94. Think Betty White with a southern drawl. She was as cute as a bug's ear and had us in stitches. 

Gran-mare at dinner:  I ONLY WANTED 2 PRAYERS ANSWERED (mind you, I have 8 children). 1. GET RID OF LATIN IN THE MASS. 2. LET BLUE BUNNY ICE CREAM BECOME AVAILABLE IN THE PANHANDLE. THOSE PRAYERS HAVE BOTH BEEN ANSWERED, SO I'M A HAPPY WOMAN. 

At dessert, she informed me that she's a good Catholic for giving up her Blue Bunny ice cream during lent, and she hoped God would appreciate that, etc. She had pie with no ice cream. When a bowl of Blue Bunny was placed in front of me without warning - who was I to argue despite the fact that I gave it up for lent. I figured since I was staying in a GF food desert, God would let that one bowl slide. 

After dinner, Gran-mare turned to Uncle and in her sweet southern drawl: FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DID FOR MY FAMILY. ANN IS A BLESSING AND WE HAVE YOU TO THANK. YOU ARE A GENUIS. 

Forever humble, Uncle said:  WELL, I'M A SLOW LEARNER. 

Not true. He's a genius. He wrote a book and was struggling to respond to the  questions raised by the publisher/find the document on his computer, etc. While I packed boxes, Mike spent the day reviewing emails from the publisher and helping Uncle address everything. It's a book about Uncle's interpretation of a specific poet. Mike also handled financial stuff, picked up Elizabeth's original will from the lawyer, and met with Uncle's estate planner. 

Needless to say, I embraced my packing duties. I also bagged up all of Aunt's clothes that were still in her closet. Those are being donated to a battered women's shelter. 

Uncle is donating their collection of Navajo rugs to an art museum in Colorado Springs. The museum will create an exhibit in Aunt's name and they've asked Uncle to contribute his commentary on the pieces. The rugs needed to be appraised for his taxes. Mike and I stayed up after Uncle was in bed, unrolling each rug, taking a photo, writing a description, and measuring it. We were told there were 17 rugs. 

Most rugs were zig zags. I celebrated a little
when we opened this one. "It has people on it.
Native American people, that I can appreciate.
 All those zig zags were making me dizzy."

When we got to #17, Mike nodded towards a bed sheets where the rugs were stored. There was another still rolled up. 

Mike:  OMG. (groan - that was me in the background) HEY, THEY ONLY EXPECT 17 - I SAY WE SELL THAT ONE ON THE BLACK MARKET AND SPLIT THE PROFIT.

It felt good to laugh. The photos, memories, and Uncle's grief - he sometimes softly sings Swing Low, Sweet Chariot or will just mumble POOR ELIZABETH, POOR POOR ELIZABETH, are enough to break your heart. 

Do you have Blue Bunny ice cream where you live? Is it your favorite? I didn't have the nerve to tell Grand-mare that I prefer Edy's ice cream over Blue Bell. I thought it wise to stay on her good side. I look forward to seeing these delightful, grateful, loving people on my next visit to Texas. Did you know people there really do where cowboy boots ALL.THE.TIME? It's like being in another country.