Someday I wanted to try and
capture the adventure mom and I had in the road trip disaster of 2013. At 93, Ur-Oma, our beloved great grandmother,
had been wondering if she could still have one more unforgettable road
trip. Her voice was so wistful that I
planned an adventure to Jasper National Park in Canada. Due to constant rain, we decided to come home
early, but cut off from outside world while driving the Icefields Parkway, we were
unaware that in the worst flooding in over 200 years, Canmore had been
devastated and the highway to Calgary destroyed.
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Mom at Maligne Canyon
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Since my mom was running out of critical medication, I spent the next three days outrunning the floods, the uncertainty of last minute freeway closures, and heavy rains as we worked our way from Banff to our Seattle home. Though this had become a terrifying adventure, there were also moments of sweet beauty: The night we spent up curled up together like small children both suffering from food poisoning...the stories she told as the river raged and the skies soaked us…the nights when we would both wake up and chat ourselves back to sleep.
Since my mom was running out of critical medication, I spent the next three days outrunning the floods, the uncertainty of last minute freeway closures, and heavy rains as we worked our way from Banff to our Seattle home. Though this had become a terrifying adventure, there were also moments of sweet beauty: The night we spent up curled up together like small children both suffering from food poisoning...the stories she told as the river raged and the skies soaked us…the nights when we would both wake up and chat ourselves back to sleep.
Though certain I had killed her spirit for adventure, I still asked if she
would like to join our mini-family reunion in Leavenworth two weeks later. She immediately agreed to come, but just
"for one day." Upon arrival
though, she stepped on to the patio, gazed at the pine covered mountains in
front of her, and announced, "This is beautiful."
I worried at our first family dinner that her enthusiasm for this adventure would wane in the overwhelming energy of four great granddaughters aged seven and below. But the next morning when I asked her if she wanted to leave, she announced that she would stay, "A few more days.” We repeated this conversation each morning until it became clear - she was here for the duration.
On our last night, I came into her room to "tuck her in." Ever the stoic German, her willingness to submit herself to my hugs and kisses surprised me again as she reached out both arms like a small child for a good night hug. Excusing myself, I headed out to the patio where great-granddaughters were engaged in serious bubble blowing and chasing. Calling the girls together, I explained that we were going to sneak in and give Ur-Oma goodnight hugs.
I worried at our first family dinner that her enthusiasm for this adventure would wane in the overwhelming energy of four great granddaughters aged seven and below. But the next morning when I asked her if she wanted to leave, she announced that she would stay, "A few more days.” We repeated this conversation each morning until it became clear - she was here for the duration.
On our last night, I came into her room to "tuck her in." Ever the stoic German, her willingness to submit herself to my hugs and kisses surprised me again as she reached out both arms like a small child for a good night hug. Excusing myself, I headed out to the patio where great-granddaughters were engaged in serious bubble blowing and chasing. Calling the girls together, I explained that we were going to sneak in and give Ur-Oma goodnight hugs.
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| Rolling "snakes" out of clay |
Like a line of fairy sprites, four tow headed girls sneaked into her room to say goodnight to their great grandma, a woman who, despite her willingness to spend hours rolling clay creatures, had remained physically aloof.The first great granddaughter came over and sank
into her chest. "Goodnight, Ur-Oma,"
she whispered, and I watched mom's face soften as each new hug and kiss came
her way. Her face glowed with light as
she experienced their unconditional love, and I realized as I watched the scene
unfold that the gap between her and the youngest spanned 90 years.
After they left, she reached out, uncharacteristically, for another hug from me. I stroked her face and hair as she readied herself for sleep and marveled how these little girls had softened her and brought her so much joy.
After they left, she reached out, uncharacteristically, for another hug from me. I stroked her face and hair as she readied herself for sleep and marveled how these little girls had softened her and brought her so much joy.
Ur-Oma did have an unforgettable adventure,
and if it is to be her last one, my heart is filled with peace. This journey, the grandest of all, has been
an adventure of the heart.
