We lost Jim’s Mom on November 3^rd. It was not unexpected. She was 98, and had been slowly going down hill. She lived a long, event filled, productive life with so many varied interests from garden design to Toastmistress to Opera and supporting other musical endeavors. You can read her story at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/abqjournal/obituary.aspx?n=elizabeth-crain&pid=197070888 so I won’t focus on that. Instead, I’ll tell you a little about her and I.

I first met Liz when Jim’s brother Bob graduated from law school. There was the graduation and the party. Graduation formal, party casual. Country bumpkin that I was (am), I got this backwards. Liz was not impressed. But then again, she had high standards for her boys. Liz only had son’s but I think all mom’s want a daughter. As Jim and my relationship advanced, I was not fitting the bill of a “girly girl”; I was way too technical. But, through time, we found our way together and became friends. Liz became a second mother to me, helping to fill in the gaps that were not my Mother’s strengths. Liz and my Mom were pretty much opposites in terms of interests, activities and sensibilities. It allowed Liz to help me build confidence in entertaining, meeting people and not feeling afraid to do whatever I wanted. My parents always told me I could do whatever I wanted, and I believed them but lacked the confidence to actually DO that. Liz completed that growth for me and for that I am very grateful.

Jim and I were on the boat when Liz passed away. We headed back to New Mexico from Virginia for a couple weeks to get Liz buried with her husband Robert at the Santa Fe National Cemetery and to also help Jim’s brother Bob get started sorting out the remains of a 98 year life. Liz was a collector and retainer of all things paper. Thus, it took Jim and I a week of long days to go through all her paper and separate out the important and interesting from that which needed to go. Through this 98 years of paper, I got to know Liz so much better than I had, exploring recipes, programs, meeting notes, photos, real estate transactions and brochures, and on and on. She kept it all. I had heard many stories, but she had an amazing archive of a life. Quite impressive and I am glad I had this last opportunity to get to know her better.

Liz was the last parent to leave for Jim and I. There was always something else she wanted or needed to do. She has such a zest for life. If her body had not given out, she could have lived another 100 years. There was that much she wanted to do. We will miss her so much.

Back to the Boat

We are now back to the boat, having driven from Virginia to New Mexico and then two weeks later back again. Kitties in tow of course. They did not enjoy the drives but each day got better. We did stop at a couple cemeteries of Jim’s ancestors along the way including where Liz’s parents are buried. But otherwise, drive, into a hotel, drive. Fairly covid safe.

I did cook a pseudo traditional Thanksgiving dinner for the two of us, game hens with wild rice & mushroom stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, grilled sweet potato, green beans and mini-pumpkin pies. Today, back to boat projects so we can get farther south next week. Toilet work (again), oil changes on the main engine, transmission and generator (that is 8 gallons of oil!) and I don’t know…. there will be something more I’m sure. Hoping to move south a bit early next week. I need to work on routing (just like in the air, one does not travel on water without a plan) and we have to make sure we have a good weather window too.

I hope you all had a lovey, covid-safe Thanksgiving. In this year of covid and family loss, I have found I am more thankful than ever before. Perhaps this year has clarified the fragility of life and an provided the opportunity to truly understand the blessings I have of health, wealth, good friends and family. Blessing to all of you!