Photoessay #2905 - Rockford

The stained glass in the reform temple in Rockford.  I've always admired it. I've been at that temple occasionally over the years.

I mentioned that it's been three years since my mother's death.  And when I was going through that whole experience, the trips to Rockford, all of the tasks involved, I would tell myself that someday I would not have to make these trips.

And I have not returned to Rockford.  But sometimes, not real often, I wonder what's going on there.  My parent's neighbors, some in great shape, some not.  What about Helen, Eleanor, the Porters?  What about Walter, the driver, and the chaplain?  What about their friends next door?  None of those people belonged to me, they belonged to Claire and Al.  Rockford wasn't my home.

Though in a crazy merging of two realities, Susanna's team played a major tournament in Rockford, Oregon recruited her there.  My parents loved having the team come by, indeed their house was a base of operations.  I think they waited to sell the house until after that tournament.  My parents also liked the drama of the tournament.  My father made sure to minimize and dismiss my information about the athletic recruiting unfolding.  But he made certain to be there.   I remember my mom and I were stunned when he announced that he was going to the games but he CHOSE to go in the wheelchair.  Where does a man in a wheelchair sit at a game like that sit?  Wherever he wants.

So there he was in the most crucial game that went long into the night, practically on top of the Oregon coaches.  Gin and I were going nuts.  Kristina was pitching and I was stressing about what inappropriate remarks my father was making.  I didn't think to give him the "the coaches are judging the families too.   Don't look like a project" lecture.  But he would never have listened to me anyway.

Fortunately everything worked out as it was supposed to.

Very fortunately, we elected to stay in the hotel rather at their house.  I knew they couldn't deal with the crazy hours and comings and goings of a major tournament like that.

I could go back there if I wanted.  I don't think I will.

I think my brother took this picture.