[VickiesPath]

I am so happy that hubby is going to get to see his mum. I do hope she holds out until we arrive on Monday. He just simply MUST see her. He wants to sooth her with his voice and gently rub her feet. (He's an expert reflexologist.)

We leave for England at 9pm on Sunday night. As of today, she is still with us. But something compelled him to want to be there before she dies. Perhaps it was because he was the only person his father would allow near him before he died 16 years ago. And it was because he also rubbed and soothed his feet.

I will gladly go. I want to be there with him, supporting him. He has done so much for me. Only that it occurred to me, this will be the very first time, in 56 years, that I have not celebrated America's Thanksgiving. It will be the very first time that I have not sat down with a room full of relatives, oodles of food, and thanked God for the many blessings that we have and prayed for those who are in need.

I have a feeling that I will be doing that anyway. I will be thankful for the privilege of my marriage to such a wonderful man who cares so much for his mum that he wanted to travel thousands of miles to be with her and comfort her when she takes her last breath. I will be praying for every dying person to have such love around them in their time of need.

So, everyone out there, eat some turkey for me. And remember to say a little prayer for those who have nothing to eat.

How about having your own thanks giving in England ! You can get a turkey in the supermarket and anything else you need ....

[Naturefreak]

Vickie
Much love to you . You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Godspeed Vickie and husband and hope Mum holds on!

Vickie, you might run into other homesick Americans over there to at least wish a happy holiday to. I spent Christmas in London once and there was so much goodwill between me and other Americans I ran into -- made the holiday unusually special for me! Mike

[lynn P.]

Dear (((Vickie))),
you're a good woman for supporting your (((husband))) this way. Have you seen his mom before? I pray that your husband will make it in time - it's so important that he gets there. I'll pray that you both have a safe trip and that your ((Mother in law))) passing is pain free and peaceful.

[Junerain]

I will be thinking of you......how nice to have a son that is a relflexologist at a time like this....safe jouney's...will you be checking PC while there?

[VickiesPath]

We'll be staying in a lovely little Inn called the Red Lion in Radlett in Hertfordshire (Herts) where hubby is from. It does have internet so I'll be checking in now and again. The Red Lion has been around since the early 1900's and is a lovely village hotel only 20 minutes by train from Kings Cross station (and Platform 9 3/4). Hubby's brother lives a brisk walk up a hill from the hotel.

You should google "Red Lion Hotel Radlett Herts" and see the lovely picture that comes up. Very typically English. There's a full English breakfast that comes with, plus a restaurant and bar attached. It's very lovely. On the information page it talks about St. Albans Cathedral. That is where hubby went to high school with Stephen Hawking.

The train depot is only two blocks up and across the street where we can catch a train to London and go wherever we want. Also, hubby's son and family lives somewhere in the vicinity (not sure of where since they just moved down from Leeds) so we will go visit them, as well).

Simply getting ready for the trip has been harrowing with our flood in the bathrooms and arranging the demolition for all that, too. But I think I've finally checked everything off of the list.

I still feel very fortunate to have such a loving husband. Yes, Lynn, I have met hubby's mum and family many times and do admire his mother. She is a very intelligent, determined woman who raised three children during all the years of rationing following WWII. Of course, now, her mind is gone but that is all part of our departure from this world. It was a privilege to know her as long as I did.

Funny story: I am from the south. One time, I was showing her how to use her remote control for her television. She said, yes, yes, now I see. Where did you get your intelligence from? I said, well, my father says that I got it from my mother, because he still has his.

She roared with laughter.

(Which was quite polite considering jokes which slight women are not particularly in good taste.)