Aunt Jackie

My Aunt Jackie past away one week ago today after a very long and tough battle with Multiple Sclerosis. I flew home Friday afternoon to attend the service on Saturday evening. Despite the very unfortunate circumstances it was very nice to see a lot of my family that I never ever get to see. I saw my cousins (Jackie's children) whom I haven't seen in I don't know when... it's been years. It was a lovely and simple service. Jackie’s daughter, Colette, said some nice words followed by her (Jackie's) son, Keith, who gave a very thoughtful and beautiful speech. The reception was held at The Woodbury Health Care Center which is where Jackie lived for the past eleven years. It is also where my Grandma Ann resides. The ladies put together a very nice meal. They, of course, were all very concerned with not having enough food. In true Midwest fashion the amount of food was slightly ridiculous. Someone made 30 pounds of scalloped potatoes. That amount was on par with the amount of all the items served. I guess its true that people eat when they are sad. I got to enjoy the company of my cousins very boisterous 6 year old son, Austin. He took a liking to me because my name is so easy to spell.. P A T. I have promised my cousins that the next time I go home that we will have a cousin outing and leave all the old people at home. I informed my brother that he is in charge of this event. My only request is that we make reservations at some restaurant where we can sit at a big round table.

It was kind of weird to be back in Minnesota so quick. I landed on Friday afternoon, two weeks from when I had departed MSP to go back to Denver. That is the quickest I have returned to Minnesota since I moved away in 2001.

I had a enjoyable visit with my parents and brother. I also had the opportunity to enjoy breakfast with my old Scout Master, Bob Nelson. He is in his mid 80's and spends most of his free time traveling the world. So far his 2007 travel plans include... Costa Rica, Tasmania & Namibia and this has all been planned before summer. He is without a doubt one of the most interesting characters I have fortune to be friends with. I had the pleasure of running into Chris Stewart, one of my brothers close friends and an ex fellow boy scout. I also ran into this guy from high school named "egg." My brother, his friend Tom, and I enjoyed our Friday night by doing the old Minneapolis bar hop. I don't really remember where we went but we did play shuffle board at this red-neck Duluth themed dive bar and snort tobacco at some German Cafeteria Club. BTW... this snorting of tobacco... I guess it will be all the rage soon. We will see.

Ped... Sorry I didn't see you. I will make it up to you next time!!!