Queen For A Day At the DMV

          I'm not prone to gushing.  My mother used to swoon and gush over Michael Landon of Bonanza fame, and my sister used to gush over a minor character, Gerald Lloyd "Kookie" Kookson III (played by Edd Byrnes), the rock and roll-loving, wisecracking, hair-combing, hipster and aspiring P.I. in a 50's tv show.

I, on the other hand, have always been more level-headed and not prone to such silliness...until a week ago.
             The setting was our local office of the Department of Motor Vehicles.  I was there to sign any paperwork and pay any fees for Vale's instruction permit.  I was exhausted and a bit disheveled from a day spent wrestling with a big heavy quilt.  The permit process proved arduous, since we aren't Vale's legal guardian.  A number of calls had to be made to Olympia to clear the permit.  I stood for as long as I could, but my arthritic knees gave me so much trouble I sat down.  The waiting room was full of people; sunlight was filtering through the window, and I was reading a rather scintillating account of what would happen to me, legally, if I happened to text and drive.  I felt a presence in front of me, a six foot plus presence...here stood Vale.  He didn't say anything but he had his elbow out--escort-style.  Once I put my hand through his arm, he proffered his other hand and assisted me across the room to the examiner's desk.  I could feel the eyes of all in the room, of their approval of this uncommon gesture on the part of a teenage boy.  Not a word was spoken as we crossed the room...a tribute to a young man whose mother has taught him the importance of treating a woman with respect.  I do believe I'm gushing.
                 I was asked to take an elderly lady from our church to her dental appointment.  Grr..grrrr...I had too much to do...but she needed my help.  I arrived punctually...I didn't want to leave any time for idle chit-chat.  Nothing doing...I had to come in and see her little home--a typical grandma's house filled to the brim with family photos and mementos, furniture of her parents,' her Raggedy Ann and Andy antique doll collection, her own original oil paintings, and her lovely garden.  We walked and talked, saw the dentist, drove around Hood River to places that brought back memories.  A sweet, gushy few hours with a lovely lady.

                We are now surrounded by wildfires.  Our local weather report usually includes a statement like:  DUE TO WILDFIRES...THE AIR QUALITY IS HAZARDOUS TO UNHEALTHY IN SEVERAL AREAS .  Schoolchildren can't go outside for recess, and the air is always smoky.  Fortunately for our family, the polluted air hasn't been a problem, but others are reporting respiratory problems.  There are uncontained fires in Trout Lake which is north of us and directly across the river in Hood River, Oregon.

               

            Tom continues to work on the painting and caulking, and he's now the trainer of a student driver. It's bringing back so many fun memories. I too have been enlisted in the ride-alongs, since I'm Vale's usual chauffer. Vale confided to his grandpa: "I drive really slow because I scare Grandma half to death. I can feel her gripping on the arms." Indeed.

             I continue to sew, chauffer, do genealogy, etc.  Life, in our corner or the world, is calm and serene, in spite of the chaos all around us.  And, I am queen...

 

Love, Mom

 







                 

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.

 Anthony J. D'Angel