December Trip to see Mom

Mom

I went back to Illinois in December for my annual holiday season visit with  my Mom.   Back to my hometown of Lombard.  No snow this time, in fact, the weather was unseasonably warm.  We were busy the whole time getting lots of things done, tech wise.  Computers, wi-fi, and HD-DVR TV.  Working with Comcast was rather taxing to say the least, encompassing two days … but all is well now and way better than before.  Now my Mom is learning to program her DVR.

Also I got the opportunity to take my Mom shopping for clothes for her Xmas present and we had a ball.  As a side note, I loved the fact we saved over $200 by “smart shopping”.  Foodwise, I cooked her spaghetti dinner, based on Kate’s famous recipe, and I had my fill of Portillos Italian beefs and Pizza.  What I missed was a great Chicago Hot Dog.  Oh well, next time.

Lilac Park had fired up their Xmas lighting that weekend so we took a stroll thru the park after the crowds had left and it was absolutely incredible.  What an amazing job they do lighting that park.  It’s impossible to capture in film but at least you can get an idea.  Only about ten months after her hip replacement my Mom gets around perfectly.  She zipped around the park and the stores with her cane rarely even touching the ground.  And she’s  in such great spirits.  Healthy in mind and body.  Amazing at age 91.  A real inspiration.  I am so blessed to have her and I love her dearly.  I can’t wait to see her again in the spring.

Lilac park Xmas
Lilac park Xmas
Mom and I making breakfast
Lunch with Mom at Red Lobster
Rasmus the deer we used to climb on as kids.
Lilac park Xmas
Shopping at Kohls with Mom
We needed a shopping cart
This is about 60 yards deep of lites.
The new tunnel to the train station
Who is that strange woman in the tunnel?
Contacts:
Posted by: Geoff on December 17, 2015

3 Comments so far:

  1. Caroline says:
    December 17, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    I love seeing you two having such a great time. I wonder when we can both be there again. It’s so fun to go home when you are there too! I miss my Good Mom and I am so happy she is doing so well after her surgery. So cool you did all you did in such a short period of time. Excited for you to enjoy her visit in the Spring and I am looking so forward to going home at Lilac time to see her.
    You are the Best Son Geoff a mom could want!!!

    Your oldest best buddy,

    Caroline

  2. Brother George Panek says:
    December 18, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    Hello Geoff
    Thanks for great description of your recent trip home to Lombard & your terrific visit to your Mom. That is very nice that you help her with installation of the tech equipment — big screen TV with modern technology like the DVR, cable TV & the high speed internet. She will really enjoy the DVR (I love mine) & it is so easy to use after you give her some user training. You are truly correct about the Lilac Park, it looks really cool in all your photos with all of the special holiday lighting.

    Your Mom looks very healthy in all her photos. I’m happy her hip is working out so well. Remember I said she would love the new hip & the tremendous improvement in her lifestyle. That’s cool you two went cloths shopping, it must have been quite an experience for you Bro.

    Thanks for another great blog post for this trip. I really enjoy how I get to participate in your journey. Please wish your Mom a happy Holiday season from me & let her know I think she looks wonderful plus I’m so thrilled with success & freedom she is experiencing with her new hip. Geoff, you & Kate have a Happy Holiday plus a fun New Years Eve celebration.
    Your brother Geo in Las Vegas.

  3. M Harms says:
    December 18, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    Hi Geoff,

    Your tale is thrilling. We really did have a fun time even the wait time we had to spend at Comcast to
    get Dale’s name off the account. But we ended up with a whole lot of upgrade on the TV and my
    computer. Looks like we were walking away with the store from your pictures of our shopping trip.
    The lights at Lilac park look good, but to be there and see the whole area as it was lit up was fantastic.
    I keep thinking how much Caroline would have enjoyed it. I’m sure she will be anxious to see the
    tunnel under the railroad tracks next time she visits here. I think I will send brother George a little
    note with my wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    Love, Mom