Home Again, Home Again Jiggety Jig

Downtown WP

Our trip to West Plains was very good. I am so glad I was able to go. I didn't do anything but sit...and eat, and talk, and back seat drive while other people drove, but I was still exhausted.

I rode down with Mom & Dad on Saturday, we stayed at Dad's cousin, Paula Mae's house that night. We just hung out talking until around midnight. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, so we talked about that a bit, but we mostly talked about Grandma, Paula Mae's parents (her dad was Grandpa Martin's brother), and other Martin family memories.

After getting one of the best night's sleep I've had in a long time, we met up with Tracy & Tony and their girls for breakfast. I hopped in their car and Tracy and I took them on a whirlwind tour of WP...our old house, the schools we went to, the city park/pool, the church we went to, the town square, and Grandma & Grandpa's house. I had a great time talking and laughing with Jordan and Ashton. Sorry about your math book, Jordan...I've always hated math!

We met back up with the rest of the family and headed to the Stateline cemetery. It is located on the Arkansas/Missouri border and is where a lot of Martins are now resting. We had a small gathering of close family members.

I read the following poem once everyone had arrived:

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond's glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

There was a big bumble bee buzzing around as we gathered in the Martin area. I joked that it was Grandma making her presence known. It was a nice, peaceful burial. Afterward we stood around and talked with relatives we rarely get to see, and watched the kids play amongst the graves.

We all hit the road at around 4:30. I rode back to KC with Kori and Becky. Me and Izabella were in the back seat having a wonderful time singing, dancing, making quacking shadow ducks in the setting sun, and whatever else entertains 2 year olds. It was a lot of fun.

Got home around 11:00. Back at work Monday and today, chemo tomorrow, then work Thursday and Friday. I am hoping that my worst days will be Saturday and Sunday and that I can just sleep away the misery.

I start the steroids tonight...so, let the fun begin!!!

Rolling hills of WP