I tried, and failed, to find this photo again for yesterday’s post. Just now my sister Marnie found it. The photo was taken at the airport in New Orleans, shows her two youngest chilluns, John and Kristin, who functioned as her guardians on the trip to Baton Rouge, and Paula, the daughter whose need to care for Mom matches Mom’s need to live out her days “in a family that loves me.”

And Mom, in my estimation, looks more relaxed than I’ve seen her in years.

When John tucked Mom in last night, she asked when she would be going home. He told her she is home now, that she is to live with Paula, and that Dad wants it that way. That seemed to settle her.

BTW: John and Kristin arrived at the airport in New Orleans this morning only to find that both their flights out were cancelled due to possible tornado activity. They hope to get home to Seattle and Anchorage tomorrow. I leave Seattle for Indiana tomorrow, hoping weather will not prevent!

I found myself at Chief Seattle’s gravesite today, on Bainbridge Island — and discovered that this visit was exactly what I needed. More on that once I’m home.