It Was Quite a Shower
Tue., August 15, 08:26 PM
This excursion was going to keep both U.D. and me away overnight, and I was afraid I wouldn’t make it. That would have been a shame, as I won’t get another chance to be a mother at a bridal shower. But I just can’t trust Husband home alone. (Don’t forget that, among other things, his condition can deteriorate suddenly.) Fortunately, M.D. agreed to look in on him several times, to see that he got his meds and his meals. He will usually behave for her because (1) she might “tell Mommy,” and (2) she will bring him a home-cooked meal.
So, on what was one of the ten most beautiful days of the year, we got up early and finished packing. I gave Husband his pills and his oatmeal, as well as last-minute admonitions, and before 9:30 we were off. The sky was clear, the temperature was comfortable, and we had some wonderful CD’s, courtesy of one of our excellent buddies, who kindly made some for U.D.’s taste and some for mine. The traffic was fairly light, even on the road to the casinos.
The amazing GPS (“turn right and take the motorway”) guided us through Connecticut and Rhode Island and into Massachusetts, right up to the restaurant – on time! (We waved a silent greeting to several buddies whose locations we passed, of course.)
I am so glad I was able to attend. Ms. P. and Son have such nice friends, and Ms. P. has a huge family, so there were around seventy women there – and Son, of course. Evidently there is a tradition that the groom attend the bridal shower, and there were so many gifts that his assistance definitely smoothed the process. Not to mention that he added some humor to the whole undertaking.
In case you’re interested, I didn’t choose a gift from their list, but rather bought something that no one else would have thought of – the glass that the groom smashes at the conclusion of the wedding ceremony. He’s going to have to ask the rabbi about it, however; they never explained the details to the brides back in the day, and I know nothing.
You would think that an event of this length was enough for one day, but Ms. P’s friends had planned a bachelorette party for the evening. Both Ms. L. and I felt that it wasn’t the place for mothers, but we were invited to have dinner with the troupe. This also was a very pleasant time – we did not meet one person we didn’t like – and U.D. and I didn’t get back to our hotel until after eleven. The girls were going on to some serious partying.
We met up on Sunday morning to have breakfast with Son; Ms. P. was recuperating from her friends’ attempt to make sure she had a really good time.
The masterful GPS got us to within fifteen miles of home, when we exited by our own choice; the car was making funny noises. There was nothing to see, but the car was obviously not happy, and U.D. eased it along until…that was a FLAT TIRE! But we were in familiar territory, enough to know there was a parking lot nearby where we could get off the road. U.D’s roadside assistance hooked her up with someone called “Jack Rabbit” (who?) and promised forty-five minutes. Well, Jack Rabbit’s rep turned up in half an hour and swiftly got us back on our way. Ain’t it grand when things work the way they’re supposed to?
While we’re talking about services and gadgets, I ought to put in a good word for my O.W.L., or Optical Wallet Light. It's no bigger than a credit card, but extremely useful. Even with my glasses, I could not have read a menu without it, because not only does it magnify, it lights the page. After I saw it on TV, U.D. bought one for me. I recommend it highly; I really hate having to ask someone to read a menu for me.
Eventually, I believe, there will be a link to all the photos from the party. I don’t take pictures, but U.D. brought her camera and will share pictures with others. However, I thought you might get a giggle out of the "matched set" of mothers.
Ms. L. and l’Empress
Oh, yes, I spoke to M.D. after I got home, and she gave a glowing report of Husband. He was alert and cooperative and took his pills “like a good scout.” He even washed the container in which she brought his supper. He behaved so well I almost thought she might have been in the wrong house!
