On June 24, Russ and I set out for our second-annual Michigan-Chicago trip. The trip up vexed me – at the last minute, Russ decided to go up through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, instead of my family’s traditional trip up the West Virginia Turnpike. I’ve never traveled to Michigan this route and I was bitter the entire trip. The one bright spot was the amazing fog-hanging scene at the overlook on the way to the Cumberland Gap. It was absolutely lovely. In the end, what I should have focused on was that we had a safe trip and that we were on the trip together. I realized these things after we got to Michigan, of course, after I had pouted all day about not going up the West Virginia Turnpike.
In Michigan, we had two wonderful days with my Great-Uncle Bill, my Papaw Little’s only remaining living brother, who is now 90 years old. Uncle Bill is still quite a character. He jokes; he laughs; he tells stories from his younger years, as well as from last week. He loves sipping a little bit of moonshine from time to time. He fiercely loves his family – and he has a lot of family. There are pictures of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all over his house. He also enjoys good eating. He took us to a place called The Farmhouse this time that had blueberry pancakes to die for!
Spending time with Uncle Bill always brings back floods of happy childhood memories. It is also like sitting down and having a long talk with my Papaw Little in many ways. Uncle Bill looks like Papaw Little. He sounds like Papaw Little. They have many of the same mannerisms. Much of their vocabulary is the same. I’m not trying to use Uncle Bill as a substitute, but those initial few minutes of our visits are always a little emotional because it’s like sitting down with Papaw, even though he’s been gone for ten years now. We’re hoping to make the trip again next year, if not before, to visit with Uncle Bill again. He’s dear to me. He has always been my favorite out of Papaw Little’s siblings – although I learned on this trip, I was not his favorite when I was a kid, lol! He thought I was a know it all. I probably was, in all honesty. He said he was glad I grew out of that. I am, too, if it means I’m more approachable and relatable now than I was then.
We also spent some time at the Ikea across from the hotel where we were staying. We were not impressed with the hotel this year like we were last year, but the Ikea experience continues to be stellar in Canton, Michigan!
Early on June 27, we set off for Chicago, a five-hour drive from the Canton-Belleville area. It was the first time we were visiting Russ’ mom after his dad’s death on April 22. Russ’ sister Elise was there during the first day of our visit, along with her boyfriend Kevin. We spent time together at the house with their mom, Sandy, talking over changes since Art had passed, and discussing some of Sandy’s future plans. She doesn’t foresee staying in the house they’ve lived in together forever much longer. It isn’t clear where she wants to go, but she just feels like she won’t want to stay in the house long-term. It’s sad to see her restless, but she’s still vibrant and energetic most days. She wants to go, do, and be. I see all of that as very positive, especially after Art’s passing. She just got back from a family reunion in Florida where she got to spend time with her sister and brother and had a magnificent time. I asked if she might want to move to Florida where more of the family lives. She told me no, because it’s too warm there too much of the year. I really thought she would want to move there when something happened to Art. Time will tell where she decides she wants to be, though. And until then, she seems content where she is.
The five of us went to dinner at Outback that first evening to celebrate Art’s life. Outback was one of his favorites. The next day, Elise and Kevin left, taking several treasures from the garage with them back to Minnesota. Russ intends to fly back later, rent a U-Haul, and bring home some of his dad’s woodworking tools to Tennessee.
That second day, Russ, Sandy, and I went to Ikea in Schaumberg and ate leftovers at the house after our big shopping adventure. On Saturday, we drove out to Long Grove to go to the Irish Shop and the Sweden Shop. The Sweden Shop had closed two months earlier, the owners deciding to retire. So I talked Russ into trying the Sweden Shop on Foster Avenue in Chicago-proper afterwards. Sandy was thrilled with the side trips, since she rarely gets to go that far from home. Then we had Nancy’s Chicago-style deep-dish pizza for dinner. It was a terrific day. A nearly perfect visit. It was so good to see Sandy. We hope to go back up in a few months to check on her and make sure she’s doing okay.
What I get more than anything when we take these trips is how precious family is. I adore Uncle Bill so much. And I couldn’t ask fo0r a better mother-in-law than Sandy has been to me. From the very beginning, she has welcomed me in and made me one of her own. That’s something truly special. I love her dearly. She is my second Mom and is such a strong supporter of my writing endeavors. I’m truly blessed and can’t wait to see these precious family members again.
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