The day before daughter Kate drove home, we went to church with David. He was in the choir, so we could see him all during the service. We met in the kitchen area for the coffee hour. I suspect he doesn’t take time to eat breakfast on Sunday mornings, so he enjoys the food set out there. A woman came up to our table and introduced herself. She was looking at Kate and me. A woman sitting next to me said our names and mentioned we were David’s mother and grandmother. The standing woman had excitement in her voice as she asked, “OUR DAVID????” That’s when she saw him sitting with us. David is a favorite there, and it tickles our hearts that people always respond to him with great enthusiasm.

Restaurants are crowded after church, so we drove by several of our favorites and saw long lines of people waiting to get in. David mentioned Waynesville Pizza, and I thought that was a good idea. It isn’t open on Fridays when he and I go out for lunch, and he has been wanting to go there. This was perfect. We ordered a medium-sized pizza to share. Because David is a thin, bottomless pit, he suggested loaded fries as an appetizer. The plate was HUGE. The hot fries were covered with cheese and bacon pieces, and there was ranch dressing for dipping. We couldn’t finish it. We did demolish the pizza, and David took the rest of the fries home.

I got up at my usual time on Monday, and Kate finished loading her car. She left about the time I usually walk, so I followed her on foot. She was probably almost through the gorge before I got back home.

We chatted on the phone three or four times as she drove to New Jersey. I am always relieved to know she is through the gorge, where the road is still being repaired after the hurricane destroyed sections of it. A line of traffic was behind a large truck, which was just as well. It was quite foggy there. The fog lifted, and traffic moved well until she began to hit rain off and on much of the way home. At least it wasn’t a huge storm system with heavy rain. She got home in record time, making it in twelve and a half hours. Even at her age, I would never have considered such a drive by myself. I stay amazed that it doesn’t faze her at all.