Slowly Moving Forward …...

Good Evening  … from Mt. Juliet, TN (just East of Nashville, TN). 

Today is Sunday, June 24^th. 

Roxie and I have logged 1,488.9 miles so far since we left Charlotte at 4:15AM last Wednesday.  Tomorrow we will drive the final 327 miles (according to my GPS).  It has been a fun & relaxing trip although many challenging moments as this is the exact trip that My Janelle and I have taken for the last several years.  This is good (learning to deal with the hard times), this is necessary, so I am pushing forward.  My Janelle would expect nothing less of me (& You).

High level of the trip…… Upland, IN (Ivanhoe’s Ice Cream); Winona Lake, IN (Sister Lynne & Mike’s Lake House); Crawfordsville, IN (Janelle’s Extended Family); Decatur/Pana, IL (Hayes Family Reunion); HOME. 

Creature of habit, I almost ran out of gas north of Lexington, KY just trying to go a little further before filling up the car and then not being able to find a gas station (last year Janelle was fussing at me at the exact same place for a similar situation).  Fussing of course is a bit strong, she was stressing about running out of gas and she kind of went into her quiet / I am going to pray mode and wondering why her husband does some of the things he does.

Here is my traveling companion.  One of my three cars (I will go into detail on that perhaps sometime in the future) is a VW  EOS convertible.  This car was My Janelle’s.  It has been our road trip car for the last several years.  Bucket seats & small backseat, kind of difficult for Roxie to get comfortable so I took the passenger seat out for this adventure.  Roxie was very appreciative….

I wanted to share another blessing that started off my week.  One of you asked me whether I had clicked on the Father’s Day Link that runs down the right side of this blog.  I was not sure exactly what she meant however after she clarified I kind of understand why Janelle tag her blogs into categories.  Clicking on that link, I was sent immediately to her blog posts from past Father's Days (my custom fathers’ day cards from 2011, 2010 and 2009).  She sure knew how to make me feel special  :).  I do of course have all three of those cards in my private Janelle stash.  By the way, if you venture to these links…she was way too kind.  I definitely got the better end of the marriage deal 31+ years ago.  Thank you Jan Hill for pointing me to this link, it made my day!

Below is My Janelle picture(s) of the week.  You can’t see the smile too well in all of these but the story is fun, so here goes.  Starting point of the story is that this is last July 30^th at the wedding.  Certainly by this time we knew something was not quite right with Janelle’s health however we were not anywhere close to thinking it was as serious as it turned out.  The other piece of info important to this story is that one of us (not Janelle) may look big and strong on the outside but is basically an emotional wimp who cries at weddings when I don’t even know the person that well, cries at the same point in certain movies (Brian’s Song, It’s a Wonderful Life, etc.).  Needless to say, we had a lot of fun talking about how in the world I was going to get through this event.  Janelle on the other hand, certainly had a tender heart which caused tears from time to time, but she was much better at the control aspect. 

Upper left #1 picture is the two of us waiting outside the church as I was going to seat my best friend in the front row.  I am mainly thinking “Let’s get the show on the road” and “Do we have enough food/beverage for all of these people”.  By the way, my main involvement in the wedding preparation dealt with financing it however my one request was that I wanted to walk both of my girls down the aisle.  Going clockwise, #2) I was taking extra care walking Janelle because of the health concern and all of a sudden I hear her make a noise; not exactly sure if it was a sound of pain or excitement but it startled me and I looked at her and whispered “Are You OK”?  #3) I leaned down so she could tell me what was up…..my strong lady was laughing through the tears as it was obvious that She was the first to lose it on this special day and #4) that’s  just us sharing the funny moment  (her crying & me being strong) with one of our looks at each other.  

By the way, I held it all together until I had to answer the question of who was giving this wonderful young lady to this man.  I had decided I would look back at Janelle before answering "Her Mother and I” and the simple answer took about an extra 30 seconds as I struggled to regain my composure.

OK, time to call it a day / week.  Getting up early tomorrow to start the final leg of my mini vacation.  House Cleaner is coming tomorrow so I get to go home to a clean house.  Busy week ahead (mainly fun again) which I will tell you all about next Sunday night if you are kind enough to return.  Thank you for sticking with me and encouraging me.  I appreciate it more than I can possibly express.

Ken

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Strength and Peace to You ….. Psalms 29:11

Comments

[lynne]

One of the BEST weddings ever! Love you.

[[email protected]]

Ken thanks so much for coming to the cousins party and reunion...it certainly was a comfort to all of us...xoxo cousin K

[Margaret Deans]

thank you for letting us be a part of this special day. Have a great, and healing, trip.

[Joan]

Awww ken-really proud of you! i'm glad you're keeping up the blog. it's really really good to see you smile. Joan

[Lisa]

Roxie looks like a wonderful travelling companion!!! The wedding pictures are priceless!!!!

[Armando Cortez]

Sounds like it was a great trip. Thanks for sharing it!

[Lu C]

Ken- I have been following this journey since the first of the year (went back to catch up once I read that first entry). I haven't commented very often, but I always looked forward to spending the time with your Janelle and all the family was always in my prayers. Thank you for allowing us to share this time with you.

[Linda Rhyne]

Sure enjoy reading the blog. Blessings!

[Lee]

Enjoy the rest of your trip. Thanks for sharing these special memories. Your Janelle certainly touched so many lives. She has such a special place in my heart and I am filled with love and warmth every time I think of her.

[SueB]

These photos must be so very precious to you. Loved seeing them - thank you so much for sharing them. I continue to look forward to your Sunday blog post. I'm so glad you're continuing to do it. I wish we were home so we could see you but if you make the trip next year I hope you'll time for a visit. We begin our journey back home tomorrow. I'm sure Roxie has been good company for you. Prayers for safety for you. Hugs.

[Marybeth L.]

Hi Ken, I'm so glad you decided to bring Roxie . So happy to hear its been a bit of a fun and relaxing trip for you. Janelle would be so happy to know you kept the blog going.....( I think) since I only know her from the blog,I think that would be a good guess:) I love the pictures you shared with us, such a beautiful insight into your lives. I can see how much you two love each other. That was so kind and thoughtful of you to take out the front seat for Roxie,so glad she went with you . Enjoy the rest of your trip. Stay safe!

[Linda]

Enjoying your posts.

[Lori Thomas]

Thanks for sharing your journey. The photos are WONDERFUL!!

[Debbie Doud]

Ken,

Thanks for sharing with us. Best wishes to you.

Debbie

[Lynn]

Ken, thank you for sharing your love with Janelle for us. This post is beautiful and makes me smile from ear to ear. I'm so glad that it was captured on film. Safe travels to you and Roxie.

[eleftheria]

Next Sunday, July 1st i am getting married.Janelle and i talked about this many times, she was always willing to provide me with advice.She was struggling with so much but she would always care enough to listen.
My friend, i wish i could talk to you today or send you the wedding photos we talked about.You will be in my heart and mind on my special day.
Ken i m really proud nd happy you had this trip no matter how hard it was.Those photos of you from the wedding day re precious.Sending you love...

[Tricia T]

What precious memories of Your Janelle, and precious new memories you are making as well. Roxie looks like a good traveler. It is so nice to have a friend along, isn't it? She is a gift from God.

The wedding pictures are wonderful! I love the look on your faces' as you shared the moment together!!

[Connie F.]

What beautiful pictures...so precious - love the cute story. I can just feel the love between you two. Hope you travel safely today. Sending you (((BIG HUGS))).

[Don and Mary]

Ken, what a tender moment caught on film. Thanks for sharing that sweet memory with us.

[Susan Raihala]

oh, Ken!!! What priceless photos! I'm so glad you have that photographic evidence of the wonderful connection you shared in that moment. And thank you for sharing them with us!

[janis]

Great post....loved seeing the pictures and the moment... so like you two... love and miss you, janis

[Goodly Creations (Volcano)]

Aloha and mahalo nui for sharing this special journey through your Janelle's blog. Loved seeing Roxie relaxing in her special spot in the car. . . so thoughtful of you to remove the seat. I'm sure she's an excellent listener too. Have a safe and enjoyable and memory filled trip! I'm sure your family (and Janelle's extended family) are so pleased to have you visit. What a trip! So good you have taken it before, leaves out some of the "scariness" of it.
Take care and safe trip! God bless and again mahalo for sharing so unselfishly.
Goodly Creations

[Joyce Mehrberg]

Nice to hear from you, Ken. Hugs from San Diego.

[Laura]

Thanks for sharing your pictures and stories and your self with us (for those of us who are online pals and haven't had the pleasure of meeting you in person.) My husband Kevin is similar to you with waiting to get gas, often because he is hoping for a good price; I have said "Please don't let us run out of gas" prayers, too. I particularly adore the pictures from the wedding and the story. I am an emotional person, too. With the Olympics coming up, I anticipate tearing up each and every time one of our athletes stands atop the podium for the anthem. Thinking of you. ~ Laura

[Kathy Mc]

Sounds like you had a great time visiting with loved ones and reflecting on your past, especially your Dear Janelle. She would be so proud of you, I'm just sure. Not only for keeping up this blog for all of us, but also for making this trip and moving ahead…somewhat. Had to chuckle about your almost "running out of gas" story. You know it doesn't cost any more if you top off your tank vs. waiting until it reads empty? I'd be praying just like Janelle would do. Keep up your sense of humor and take pride in your accomplishments!