In 2003, my parents and Aunt & Uncle took my Grandma on a cruise through the Panama Canal. She'd been wanting to do it for years but had never planned it, and when she started to show signs of Alzheimer's, my dad decided that they should just take the bull by the horns and plan the trip so she'd really go.
 |
| Departing for their first cruise...love my Gram's pink velour tracksuit! |
|
|
Well the Panama Canal turned my parents into Cruise People.
I think they've gone on something like 10 cruises now, and they're about to go on their 11th. Or their 20th. Who can keep track? (I'm not worried about being too accurate on this because I'm pretty sure my mom will include the correct number in a comment when she reads this post.)
Last fall, Mom called during their cruise to...Mexico? Hawaii? Who can keep track?...and was telling Laura and I how she'd gotten called up on stage again during an evening show by a ventriloquist. That's right, I said "again". You see, my mom is a volunteer-er. Always up for a good time or adventure, and willing to help out a ventriloquist in need of a dummy.
Haha. Sorry Mom. You know I love you. You're the best mom ever. And actually, I would be doing both of us a disservice if I didn't take the intelligence and wit you imparted to me and use it to make a pun about ventriloquists and dummies. (have I dug myself out of the hole yet? c'mon, i thought that last thing about doing both of us a disservice was pretty clever!)
So after we talked to Mom, we decided to have t-shirts made for Mom & Dad's next cruise. For Mom, an eye-catching pink shirt to aid her volunteer efforts. And for Dad, a black shirt with gray embroidered lettering to express his slightly more reserved outlook.
 |
| Playing their roles for the camera |
I'll leave you with this: a picture I found of Mom on their cruise to Tahiti in 2005.
 |
| Mom's the one in the middle. |
Haha. Sorry Mom. You know I love you. You're the best mom ever. And actually, I would be doing both of us a disservice if I didn't take the observational skills and wit you imparted to me and use it to make a joke about telling you apart from fruit animals. (what? that one doesn't work a second time? dang. actually, I love this picture of you, Mom. I think it completely exhibits your sense of humor and love for fun, and I can totally picture you exclaiming over each fruit animal and the creativity of how they were made. Love you!)
7 comments:
Love it. That is so cute. Your parents are a great substitute for Gabe!
Gee, I guess we are "Cruise People"! Who knew we'd love it so much?
And now for your observational skills: the first cruise was in late Sep. 2004, two months before my Mom died (so I'm forever grateful to Kim for "taking the bull by the horns");
I NEVER volunteered and in fact, avoided eye contact, but was probably chosen because KIM hunkers down in his seat making me more visible; the first time was for a ventiloquist, the second for a magician, and I'm hoping next time will be for "Dancing with the Stars"! and last: I do look carved, don't I?
I showed Gabe these pictures and he couldn't pick me out in the veggie picture...sigh.
Cheryl, I had to stop for moment once I saw Grandma.I had to wipe away the tears. Man do I miss her! Kim, thank you for making her last dream come true.
Mary ~ I can't imagine you standing out even if Kim was hunker down. You must being jumping up and down in your seat.
Cheryl ~ why should we leave the joy of cruising to our parents. I found the perfect cruise for us.
http://nkotb.com/cruise.php
After Mary "exclaims over each fruit animal and the creativity of how they were made", she'd go home and try her own hand at fruit animals (all for Gabe's enjoyment, I'm sure!)
The next shirts you make for them (and Diane & George) should read something like : “Cruise number 10, 11, 12,[numbers crossed out] …..so easy to loose track.”
Girl, It's been 14 days since your last update. Could you please post something soon.
Ahh, made me tear up too, so glad that you all took her!
I hear from birdies (the ones that my cats do NOT catch) that there are plans afloat (lol) for another cruise!
Post a Comment