Let's start from the beginning. Erin finished off the debate season with the state tournament Friday and Saturday. What a wonderful experience with a great group of kids and a wonderful advisor, Judge Kevin Lund. Erin learned about the topics presented, and learned skills of listening, extemporaneous speaking and rebuttals. She admitted she loves the rebuttals... I mean, what teenager doesn't love to refute the other person's points?!?!
Miss E and her partner, Anna, comported themselves well, getting out of the round robin portion of 60 teams in the Novice division and into the sweet 16 before getting knocked out. A great experience for sure. The dynamic duo already plans to be a team again next year.
Our next stop was a visit to Dan's parents in their apartment. Aging parents is something that many of our peers can relate to. I'd say Dan's parents also have comported themselves well: when we arrived yesterday, we found Ed watching women's college basketball. He'll tune into any game in any sport if it involves Notre Dame! Tess was off at her friend's apartment, busy playing bridge. We stopped in and said hello and made a plan for another visit in the near future.
While their time of living independently is coming to an end, it's been a helluva run. 91 and 88 years old. Amazing.
The last stop of the night was an O'Hara family gathering. Seven of the nine kids and spouses were there. Throw Erin and her cousins in the mix, and we were in for a night full of laughter. There has been a lot of communication between the siblings recently as plans are being made to move Ed and Tess into a senior living facility. It's a stressful thing, even if it's the right thing. Last night's gathering provided a chance to be together and forget those worries for a while. People were in a festive mood and enjoying each other's company. It's amazing how loud a room of O'Haras can be...
We ended our day with a trip to downtown Minneapolis to take in a holiday show of Miss Richfield 1981. She is a drag queen with a stand up routine that will make you pee your pants. Audience participation and equal opportunity offending had us all laughing. It felt good to just be together and be entertained. Nothing wrong with a little inappropriate fun...
So, on we go with December. 18 days until Christmas... still no decorations for tree around here... maybe this will be my week!
