Both my mother and I celebrate our birthdays in August, her 83rd on the 14th, my 61st on the 15th. She lives in Hanover, Ontario and I live in Calgary, Alberta - so arrangements were made for her to come to Calgary to spend her birthday with the western half of her family. She'd had a fall during the winter and broken her kneecap of all things, so her ability to get out and about had been quite restricted. She was finally mobile with the use of a cane or walker and her stubborness got her the rest the way.
Mom arrived on Sunday, August 5th and just visited and relaxed for the first few days, as my husband and I were working. On Wednesday the 8th, my daughter Lia, asked her if she would like to go for a drive and the two of them spent the entire day touring the mountain back roads around Banff, Lake Louise and other sites, returning late in the evening. Successful Test Run !!
Having accomplished a day in and out of the car, with no major discomforts, I felt it was safe to let her in on her birthday "surprise". On Thursday, I told her to repack her bags, we were hitting the road for a week. Being cooped up all winter, she didn't even ask where we were going - just what did she need to bring. I chuckled as I thought - the apple doesn't fall far from the tree - I know where I get it from. I let her know that if she was uncomfortable or in any pain - we would stop and rest or if the need be, turn around and head for Calgary. We would only go as far as she was able.
I left work a bit early and on Friday we were packed and out of town by 4 PM, heading for destinations I was familiar with, but where Mom hadn't been. Since Doreen, my travel partner did 99% of the driving, I was normally the navigator, photographer and food-beverage-entertainment director. This time I was the driver, so I was careful to map out routes that would take us through the best scenery to unique attractions and never be more than a 2 day drive from home.
Sticking with tradition, we cruised out of town with Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again", blaring on the radio. |
