On Saturday we had the chance to drive out to where Norm and Carolyn have a small trailer on the lake. A great setting for a warm day! We had a lovely visit with them and then returned to the city where we are currently attending boards and meetings running up to the conference week and Congress before we head off on vacation….and retirement.

Wendy and I have had a tough relationship with Norm – somehow he just doesn’t get family. He lets relationships slide though has always time for us if we’re nearby, but never seems to see the value in coming the other way. There have been times when I said to Wendy, “That’s enough, we need to step away – a long way”. And indeed there have been some very long and tough times.

But as we sit today and I reflect on this, I am sad for the lost moments which could have been. Do you ever grieve for the “could have been moments”? Norm has never tried to cultivate relationships with our kids – has sent the occasional card but has never been able to get on the floor and play with them or call them just to see how they are. It is his loss for the most part, but it has also been a loss for our kids.

My dad loved to be with our kids – to take them places or play on the floor with them. I remember when he bought Philip a rocket – a rocket? Yup. What was he thinking? Well, he was thinking – Philip might enjoy doing this! Yes, he was being a grandpa.

We’ll drive back to the west, not sure if we’ll ever see Norm or Carolyn in person again, but we do so knowing that we have no regrets on our side of the equation. We made the effort – we kept the relationship (safely) as best we could. Don’t misunderstand we do love Norm and Carolyn and wish them well, but most of life is over

So that’s another part of the journey of life.

On the way home we stopped for some schnitzel at the Shitnezel Shack! Wow, that was good!