Wow, I haven't been keeping up.
I have arrived in Rhode Island, Finally. The last week has been really amazing. I arrived in Tampa on Friday night May 9th, and spent the evening with my Aunt and Uncle at their local pub. It was really nice to chill out with them, gab the night away and meet all of their friends. So much fun! oh and I met a cousin I had never met before. funny how family just pops out of the woodwork. Saturday I hung out with my cousin Sonny who stayed with us off and on through his teen years. His unruly teen butt was sent to us while his dad was in Viet Nam to get straightened out by my dad. My dad did, Sonny is such a great guy I love him to bits. I think he had more influence on me than I realized. Anyway he worked quite a bit with my dad and had lots of fun stories for me. He feared my dad, and has tremendous love and respected for him in spite of it. My dad worked him like a grown man, which I imagine would be a really difficult thing for a teenager, but to hear him talk about it he truly valued the entire experience. He talked a bunch about the love between my mom and dad, about how they were two peas in a pod, identical in temperament and mood; and how they would have done anything for the other. After running around Ybor city (neighborhood of Tampa) we went back to his house and he played some of the best music for me. He's been a super successful dj all over the country for the last 30 years. The most amazing record collection, looks like over 5000. anyway we danced and danced and danced. fun.

Sunday, Mother's Day my aunt, uncle and I went down to Englewood to go to Church, after which we put my Grandma's ashes in the ground next to my Grandpa. It was a really nice ceremony and I think relieving for my aunts. Mom was still in North Carolina with my sister helping her with my recovering niece. Her operation to remove the orange sized syst, ovary and fallopian tube was a success. Mom came back to Englewood late Sunday night. For the rest of the week mom and I just hung out pouring over pictures while she told me stories about dad. It was really nice to hang out with her for a few days. i miss my momma.
more later