Day 357

After reading about my frustration over not being permitted to have two speakers at my father’s funeral, my cousin suggested I contact the deacon. She reminded me that he and my father had corresponded after connecting on a neighborhood Facebook page. I took her advice and sent him an email. There was no anger in the message I sent, only sadness, regret, and disappointment. I asked if he could please make an exception to the rules considering the awful circumstances surrounding Dad’s death: the fact that we never got to say goodbye in-person and the fact that we have had to wait so long to have a mass. He responded saying he spoke to the priest and they agree that an exception would be made. Both G3 and I will be able to give a eulogy. I feel better. Now, the anxiety of writing begins.

We had a busy weekend. On Saturday, my son missed his first in-person Boy Scout meeting. It was the same time as another virtual taekwondo tournament. We asked him which he preferred to do and he chose the tournament. It was a double points tournament so if he placed, it would help him in both the state and world standings. Plus, I think he really enjoys competing — the competitive streak is one thing he definitely gets from me. He wanted to arrive at the school an hour before his ring was to compete so that he would have time to warm up and map out where he needed to start each form so that he would remain on screen. As always, my stomach was a wreck before — and during — the competition. I get so much more nervous watching him compete than I ever got competing myself as a kid. But there was no reason for me to be anxious. He placed second in forms and first in weapons. It was the first time — I believe — that he placed first in that event. 

When we got home from the tournament, I searched through all the boxes that are still packed searching for clothes to wear to Dad’s funeral. I thought I had thrown away my dress shoes when we moved, but luckily I didn’t. I also found the dress pants and the shirt I intend to wear. G3 has outgrown all his dress clothes. He’s been home all year with no occasion to wear them and so we haven’t bought him anything but sweat pants and sneakers. We’ll have to take him shopping. It’s a good thing we have several weeks. It might take that long to find him clothes he likes since he is very particular about what he wears.

Today, while my spouse ran some errands, G3 and I drove up to Tourne County Park to go hiking and caching. My son finds hiking boring, but when coupled with caching his interest level increases. I had been out of state for several weeks and didn’t realize how much it had snowed up north. Neither of us were prepared to hike in the snow and ice, but it didn’t stop us. However, after two hours our feet were drenched. Despite having wet cold feet, we had an enjoyable afternoon. G3 had fun finding the caches. I look forward to going out with him again now that the weather is warming.