A Very Quick Trip - II

Oregon

Early on a Wednesday evening as I walked by Kris' door I heard him happily talking about Gresham. We hadn't wanted him to agonize over the trip so were waiting until that very evening to tell him about it and help him pack. It looked like he was already clued in, making it easier than we had expected. I knocked and was invited into his room.

Me: Hey, Kris - did Keven tell you the good news??!

Kris: What?

Me: We're going to Gresham tomorrow!

Kris: (big smile) GREAT! (pause)

Have fun!

Me: You're coming too - we're all going!

Kris: Nah, you two go without me. I'm staying here.

Hmmmmmmm 

I  mentioned some of the things we were going to do, but nothing appealed to him.

After a few more attempts to capture his interest he told me he didn't want to go to Gresham. "There are ghosts there," he said.  

Oh. my.

What now?

For 3 years nothing has compared to Gresham. The sun always shines in Gresham, and it's always at least 120º, maybe hotter. It NEVER rains in Gresham. The restaurants are better. The cars are redder. Fred Myers is in Gresham. Dr Pepper is better there, too.

I knew he would be resistant to the idea of traveling and changing his routine, I just hadn't imagined that he might possibly be afraid to go back.

We hugged. I told him not to worry, I would just finish my own packing and we would get things worked out. He went back to watching his show, but it was obvious he was worrying about it. 

Major fail. 

Not much more was said that night. In the morning I had to awaken him; I'm pretty sure he stayed in bed longer than usual in the hopes that we would leave without him. Ah, Kris. When I suggested some things to pack he reassured me he would be fine staying home by himself.

Me: Kris, did I tell you that we are going to go to the cemetery where Mom & Dad are buried?

Kris: (Big sigh; head drops to chest. long pause. He gives me a big hug)

Me: (caught off guard) Oh, Kris - does that make you happy?

Kris: No.

Me: But it's important?

Kris: Yes.

And from that moment on Kris was on board. Actually, he was unbelievably happy and animated. He did not stop talking for the rest of the day. Well, except when he was dozing on the plane. This is not an exaggeration.

We arrived at the airport with lots of time to spare (guess who likes to do that??), and went out onto the patio so Kris could eat some breakfast. He looked like....he acted like.....Mr. California, himself. I sat in a chair and just smiled and took pictures while he talked about everything. I love his stream of consciousnesses.

 

(Yup, that's where he nicked himself shaving the prior weekend)

Our layover in Phoenix gave us just enough time to sit down for lunch at the Barrio Café. 

(BTW, I highly recommend their burritos, so yummy! Make sure you split it though because it's a monster.) 

The waitress was fabulous and went out of her way to be friendly and cute with Kris. Once she recommended the burrito it was all he was interested in having. When she called him "honey", he was quick to call her "honey" right back. When she told him they only served Mr. Pibb and didn't have Dr Pepper he responded with, "That's OK,  sweetheart." She was a good sport about it. By the time we left he was telling Keven he better give her a nice tip because she was his new girl.

Portland saved a perfect autumn late afternoon for our arrival. Mt. Hood was sharp and crisp, close enough to touch as we flew by, and Kris took note. Blue skies and just a nip in the air, it was a lovely welcome back to the Northwest. Kris knew where he was and seemed downright happy to be there.

We drove through Portland and headed to Kelly & Pam's home in Tigard where we couldn't have had a more loving and gracious welcome. Or better food - thank you Angela and Eric for the delicious ratatouille!

We had two reasons to head to Portland, the obvious one being the wedding of Ben and Rebecca. The other was to take Kris back to Gresham to see some of the people and places that had been a major part of the 45 years he lived there. 

Friday morning our first stop was to let Kris sit in Dr. Hansen's chair and get some advice on dental needs. Scott was very kind to take the time while in the midst of his run for state senator. Kris always refers to him as Scotty, and reminded us that they went to high school together. We were given the help we need to move forward and all left feeling good about the visit.

Second stop - Fred Myers where Kris worked for many years. We needed to pick up a few things and had hopes that we might run into some of the workers who would remember Kris.  The minute we walked in a woman rushing by stopped and said, "Kris! You came back to see us!" and gave him a big hug. And it continued, with about a dozen people recognizing him and genuinely happy to see him. Some even took him to see others who would have been sad if they missed him. It was heartwarming and tender. I think it made Kris feel great!

Third stop - 270 SE Liberty Court

We had told Kris that the huge tree in the front yard had been removed because the roots were causing damage to the driveway. None of us knew quite what to expect. But the first thing Kris said was, "Mother doesn't like that color!" He remembered the house being brown, and didn't remember that Mother had actually chosen that very color. Without the shade from the huge tree though, it did look quite different.

We walked to Merry's house and found her sleeping in a chair in the living room, but her caregiver allowed us to come in for a few minutes. Merry opened her eyes and had the most beautiful smile on her face when she saw Kris. They hugged each other for a long time. When she was reminded that he now lives with us in Texas she said, "Everybody I know who's lived in Texas has loved it. You're very lucky to live there!" 

(Thank you, Merry!)

Fourth stop - Willamette National Cemetery, where it began to pour. 

Kris will usually sit at the headstone and talk for a while. This time he was just fine with standing under the umbrella as we talked about mom & dad and some special memories.

From there we headed to our hotel in Lake Oswego, enjoying the changing colors on the winding country roads. At check-in the night before we had been presented with a lovely gift basket from the bridal couple and Pam & Kelly, full of Oregon edibles. 

After our day of running around we were happy to see it waiting, and we immediately dug in without even considering the family dinner we were shortly going to be attending! Kris and I honed in on the chocolate. Keven went for the filbert nuts. 

Mr. Easy Life

More winding country roads took us to the beautiful lodge in Hillsboro where the family dinner was held, as well as the reception the following day. We were spoiled with another fabulous meal prepared (mostly) by Kelly's fishing buddy: Dutch oven potatoes and beans, smoked turkey, homemade rolls, beans, fruit salad, and Dutch oven cherry-chocolate cake.

Kris was especially happy about the cake. 

No, our afternoon snack at the hotel didn't deter our appetites.

Look who showed up almost in time for dessert!

The next morning Kris and I were in charge of picking up the flowers for the bridal party from the florist, and then we waited at the temple for everyone to come out. For a minute or two we thought the rain might hold back long enough for pictures, but then how would we know we were in Oregon for a wedding??!?

 

What a lovely bunch ~ welcome to the family, Becca!

Kris looks pretty dapper underneath a pink umbrella with Cheryl

Kris looks pretty dapper underneath a pink umbrella all by himself!

At some point during all the photo snapping and drizzle Kris said to Brei and Sven, "I can't wait to get back to the desert where it's HOT!"

Huh?

More lovely food at the reception

We ate on the balcony, enjoying the beautiful view and savoring every bite. The minute Kris finished eating he left the table and spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in the kitchen. However, he was seldom alone as his nieces and nephews were constantly coming through and sitting down to talk with him. He seemed perfectly content.

After watching the bridal couple ride off to watch the sunsets in Hawaii and helping a bit with the clean-up we headed back to Tigard for a feast of the leftovers and a too-short evening of visiting and catching up with the remaining Jensen clan. 

Early the next morning we headed home. Kris didn't even complain about the security screening process, handling it like an old pro. He was happy to be back in his room with his books, magazines and TV. 

Today as we left the house to run some errands Kris stood for a moment and let the sun shine on his face.

Me: Isn't this weather great?!? Just think, if we were in Utah it would be snowing! If we were in Gresham it would be raining! But we get to be here in this nice sunshine! 

(Oh yes, I was milking the moment)

Kris: No comment, just a big smile as he soaked up more sun.

What he didn't say: It's hotter in Gresham. It never rains in Gresham.

Sadly we didn't get a picture with just the 3 Jensen brothers, so this is my substitute