A cold, hard, wearing trip~

Cottonwoods - Along the River

Funny how you can be going along just fine, doing your daily stuff, making plans & then things change...  I'm back from a quick trip to Colorado.  After hearing about issues with my father's health, I flew out to see for myself.  Without the details - I can say it was a very stressful trip, wherein I was only able to spend a short private minute with Dad.  

All I can hope is that it was enough to express to him all he has meant to me.  I've always felt so lucky to have both my parents in my life.  I expected that to be the case forever.  Sometimes forever isn't as long as you hope.

Driven away from the drama, I used the same escape I have since childhood.  I decided to walk to find private space.  In the middle of Winter, in a small town on the Great Plains - it can be a cold walk & was in more ways than one.  I did find natures beauty - I wasn't let down there. 
Being the oldest & always close to my Dad - I expected to help, but have been shut-out.  

A word to the wise, no matter how much you think you can trust someone - even family - be sure you Never sign a power-of-attorney naming only one person!  Also check to see if other documents have already been filed you know nothing about - such as a living will, etc.  I feel like I've done what I can & my father seems content with that~

Arizona!

Over the Grand Canyon

Thought I've never been there - seeing it from the air was a thrill.  So much fun taking a trip - let alone - when it's to visit my sister's family & attend our niece's wedding!  Starting at the beginning - the flight was just fine :-)  That means I took little pills to keep from getting air-sick...  slept part of the way & took photos out the window the rest of the time :-)
 
It's hot & sunny here, I'm finally enjoying Summer, even if it's not my usual Washington State Summer!  Since the wedding was yesterday, have time today to work on the photos I've taken to date.  The post-wedding let-down has hit.  Nice to have quality time with family, it's so rare that my sis & I get together, we're making the most of it!