Days 12 – 14

I’m not going to lie, I am pooped out and we still have quite a journey ahead of us. We did the last full day of interviews in North Dakota on Monday in Garrison, ND and Minot, ND. My perception, as it turns out, of small town and country is very different from people out here. Hearing people say they grew up both “in town” and “in the country” seem too similar for comparison. I had no idea I was such a city girl til now.

I’ve come out to my mom’s home town of Turtle Lake several times over the years but I didn’t ever really talk to people outside the family and they didn’t ever talk about their lives as in depth as we have been with my mother’s classmates. I am a completely nostalgic person and I love learning about other people’s experiences and backgrounds. I am in heaven on this trip. But. I really do wish I could go and sleep in my own bed, smooch my husband, and snuggle my puppy tonight.

It was an especially long day today with the funerals for both my uncle Earl and cousin Kim. We were only able to attend one and since we were too far from Iowa we went to Earl’s in Minnesota. It was a wonderful service. I don’t ever really mourn those that pass because I know they’re in a better place and I’ll see them again, but as I was talking to Luke tonight I said, “I just can’t help but cry for those left behind, to have to carry on living without another. That’s the sad part. It made me miss you even more.” And I think that’s what is so difficult about death. It’s not so much that they left, but that you must move forward without their shining face or goofy jokes or fuzzy beard to kiss you good night.

I’m really grateful to be spending all this time with my mom. Even if she snores like the Dickens. I kiss the feet of the inventor of ear plugs, yes I do.

Give big hugs to those you cherish. It’s, oh so important. You can never tell someone you love them too much, not ever.

Days 5 & 6

Days 2 & 3