Smith Center Kansas

We arrived late afternoon and after getting settled in we drove to Uncle Howards. My last few consversations led me to believe he was barely able to take care of himself. So I was prepared to volunteer to help get him set up with home health care and meals on wheels etc. Well, when we went to his house (several times), his car was gone and so was he. We went back about 6:00 and there he was. He said he had been waiting for us. Yeah right.
He is doing great for 93 yrs old. Pretty much does what ever he wants.
Today after church he came by the trailer for lunch then we went sight seeing. Then after church tonight we are going out for hamburgers and ice cream. He has a doctors appt Wednesday in a town about 100 miles from here and was going to drive himself. I asked if one of his friends could take him. He informed me he didn't want an old man driving him around. He was very relieved when we volunteered to stay and drive him. So looks like we will be leaving here Thurs morning.

A number of decades ago, when my brothers, sister and I were very young our mom was having major surgery. For the time it was very serious and the doctors told her there was a good chance she would not survive. Mother was very concerned about us kids and what would happen if she left us. She talked to Uncle Howard and Aunt Louella and they agreed to take us kids for awhile and if she did not survive the surgery we were to live with them. Now understand this was a childless couple barely making a living. So the idea of raising four children must have seemed enormous. And rightfully so. I remember not wanting to go to Kansas and telling mom I could take care of everyone. I understand now why she did this. As it turned out we stayed with them six weeks. It was a hard time.
Last night I told Uncle Howard that in case none of us kids had ever told them thank you, on behalf of my sibling we wanted to say thank you. He said "well, it was fun". I said "but it was hard". He said, "yes it was hard, but we would have done whatever we had to do" and added,"you are welcome".this is one of the reasons we are staying until Thursday. Today drove out in the country to the house we stayed in and the church down the road.