I have two reminders and one anecdote for you tonight, and - in true "bury the lede" fashion - I'm gonna start with the anecdote.
Many of you have read my posts about caregiving, Alzheimer's Disease, our Woo Dogs and Mumsie (my mother-in-law, who passed away from Alz in late 2007).
Tonight, HawkWife reminded me of something that happened on the night of Mumsie's wake, and how she chuckled over it.
Here's the sordid, silly (and very brief) tale:
Mumsie - a.k.a. "Georgia" - was waked at the same funeral home where other members of HawkWife's family had been. It brought back memories for her. I was 45 minutes late for the start - I was down the street, waiting for pictures to develop that should've been ready an hour and a half earlier. When I finally rushed in and assessed the situation, I saw that many folks had already come to pay their respects. Some had already left, but many of my family members had shown up, and they were all still there.
And still arriving.
One of my younger brothers - the eldest of the two - came in, breathless, from out of state. You could tell he was road-weary, but he inadvertently and quickly confirmed it and cast aside any doubt when his first words upon seeing me were "How's Georgia?"
I blinked, and responded "She's resting comfortably."
He paused, taking a moment to reflect on what I'd said, then it occurred to him what he'd said in his rush to compose himself.
"Oh, right. Of course," he responded.
HawkWife chuckled at that.
And she remembered it fondly, apparently, as she related it to me this evening with a grin.
Has that happened to you? You inadvertently say something, or respond to someone else's accidentally misspoken comment, and created a fond memory in an otherwise somber event?
Anywho...
So, here's the first reminder: I got this nifty note via email from Nolan Treadway at Netroots Nation something like 11+ hours ago:
Just wanted to give you a quick reminder that our current earlybird rate is almost sold out for Netroots Nation 2014 in Detroit.
Prices will increase to our standard rate tomorrow, so register now and save.
The conference is July 17-20, 2014. As always, the schedule will be packed with panels, trainings, fun events, inspiring speakers and a chance to make a positive impact on our local host city.
So, if you're reading this before midnight and want to take advantage of the rate, now's your chance. Click the link, take care of it, and come on back here.
We'll wait.
...
...
...ok. Now, the pièce de résistance - the primary reason for the diary, and the reminder I want you all to act upon: the Okiciyap School Supply Drive is still ongoing, and we would love as well as greatly appreciate any tips, recs, donations of supplies or money for supplies, or even just knowing that you've taken to social media and shared the news & link to help alert others to it and to encourage them to help out any way they can.
The Daily Kos community has made a significant, positive impact every time we've asked for assistance, and this time is no exception.
Muchas gracias, danke, thank you and namaste.
- GH
8:45 PM PT: Two reminders, an anecdote and now, an UPDATE~!
I just learned about this, so I'm adding it to the body of the diary so that others see it who might've missed it. Anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated!
Please help us Save Miskwaki – Please spread the word!
SAVING MISKWAKI who found his way to Aji and Wings
Some of you may remember the story of how Miskwaki found his way to Aji and Wings. When he showed up at their place, he was starving, dehydrated, sick, too weak to hold his own head up.
Miskwaki has a long journey ahead, but for him to remain a now happy and increasingly healthy horse, he needs to stay with Aji and Wings.
Aji and Wings need to buy Miskwaki. If they can't buy out the previous owner, the best-case scenario is that he'll have to be returned to be sold to the highest bidder. The reality could turn out to be much worse. A maximum of $1,100 will cover; details are at the link. You can donate at this gofundme page!