Hot Soup

Good News – the Duke is home. John Wayne shares his home with my Mom, my brother and three Labradors: Becky, Bear and Sam. The fondness for big dogs is genetic. I arrived on Sunday after an uneventful trip from Iowa to the big city. The taxi driver asked where I was from and when I responded “Iowa” he looked visibly shaken. I’m not sure why.

Dad is feeling better but still a little woozy. Upon arriving home, first thing he did was bend down and give Mom a kiss. Mom and Dad have lived all over the world (Dad’s a Navy man); raised three children and many more dogs. My house was the house where all the kids played because of these wonderful parents. They have survived the loss of their first child, their parents and more falls than I care to count (and I am counting). And no matter what tragedy or mishap falls in their lap, they do what they have to do and go on. They have absolute faith in God, in each other and wrap it all up in corny jokes and hot soup.

This is what makes me strong. This is their gift to me. I got that for the first time tonight.

And while I am ever so grateful to have Dad home, my heart breaks for my beautiful family in Buffalo, NY who lost their pack leader, Aunt Norma. The Iowa Girls send all their love, always.