Saying Goodbye

I enjoyed watching the Young Sheldon tv show and I was in tears when his father died. He was such a likeable character. The writers really tugged at the heart strings on that episode as Sheldon, who doesn't show emotion, dealt with his father's death. He played over and over and over in his mind (and in scenes to bring us to tears) the last moment when his father left for work and said goodbye. Now knowing it was his last goodbye, Sheldon imagined all the possible things he could have said to his father instead of treating it like the usual mundane goodbye.

How this hits home with me. There are many times when loved ones, especially the youngest ones, forget to give a hug goodbye when they leave. I know things are often chaotic and it's hard enough to find all their belongings and get out the door all at once. Or maybe some just don't like hugs as much as I do. I also know that children don't think, and never should they, "what if this is the last time I see them?" I don't focus on that either, but hugs are always precious no matter how many I get. 

I do know the important thing is that even if we never get a last hug, or an "I love you", our relationships are strong enough that we know the love is there. I'm sorry we get too busy or pre-occupied to always express it. Despite knowing it, it can't be shown too often. On the other hand, it is often just habit to hug goodbye, and we may not even remember if we did it or not because it is done so often. If I should leave this world, just remember it as if we did hug. I am sure it was in your heart. 

49th Wedding Anniversary Trip Part 1

We decided to celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary with a little vacation to see some sites we'd been wanting to see, some re-visiting of sites and some new sites. It was an extremely diversified vacation. We have vacationed in New York state before, but this vacation in particular, I was reminded of how beautiful and diversified the state itself is, with mountains and fields and lakes and waterfalls and cities, we avoided the latter and found most of the driving off of major highways. 

Let me also add that I found this awesome ap, called Wanderlog. It was extremely helpful in planning this constantly on the move vacation unlike a one-destination vacation. 

The first stop was the world's smallest church! This was the Cross Island Chapel in Oneida, NY. We only saw it from shore, as you need a rowboat to reach it. Weddings have taken place here. 

These unique trees are near the chapel property.

We had some awesome sandwiches at this place in Rome. I had the "Go home you're drunk" and it was delicious. I think George had the "Not your Mama's chicken parm sandwich. 

Not to freak you out, but I had to take a picture of this. There was a cool little square dot that you push to click on the mirror of the bathroom where we stayed. When it lit up the frame and I looked into it, it made my pupils look rectangular. Really kind of freaky. You may have to zoom in. Just a silly diversion.

Our first full day we started by seeing the Chittenango Falls, Very impressive. 

You couldn't even see the bottom from where we were standing. Not great for those with a fear of heights! I didn't even try to look. 

On our way to our next stop, we were off to see the wizard in Chittenango.

The Everything Oz museum is small but mighty with everything they have related to the Wizard of Oz. It is chock full of information about the books and movie. Most of the items are replicas that were used in play productions. There is only one item from the original movie, which was pointed out to me when I asked. I will save that for the end here. In the meantime, here are a few pictures of some of the exhibits. 

 

What I found most interesting here, was that Baum was in a sense, self-published. The George M. Hill publishing company did not want to publish because of the expense of the colorful illustrations, so Baum and Denslow agreed to pay all printing costs--first for "Father Goose" and then the next year, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." 

You might wonder if I took a picture of everything in the museum. I did not. There was so much more. If you love "The Wizard of Oz", I suggest you stop by. And now, as I promised, a picture of the one original item from the movie! Get out your magnifying glass.  In the lower righthand corner of this frame are little pieces of the actual straw hat the Ray Bolger wore in the movie. Talk about grasping at straws for something authentic. 

But it was a great little museum and a lot of fun. I only wondered why they didn't have the yellow brick road painted on the floor or even a yellow brick welcome mat in front. I asked and they said they had thought about it and that was all. Oh, well. At least they did have a good photo op for us.

Next blog post, our next stop, another favorite movie.