Stories from the Weekend

It's been a good weekend here in Wausau, with plenty to do and great weather to do it in. Friday, Rowan went on an overnight mountain bike trip with his scout troop, so Devon and David and I went to the St. Anne's church festival. We ate and had a beer (well, root beer for Devon, that is), played some silly games and tried unsucessfully to win a cake. Saturday's weather was fantastic, so we headed up to Rib Mountain for the first in the summer Concert in the Clouds series. Featured this week was Minneapolis native Kathy Schlegel, whose bluegrass and acoustic rock was the perfect background for a gorgeous setting atop Rib. I brought along my favorite Pillar Red wine and was totally mellow by the time I got back home.
Today it's mid-80's, but we expect 90's by tomorrow. Devon had his first soccer practice of the season tonight (and ROASTED) but we all cooled off in the pool afterward.
In other news, DEVON MADE IT into the Choraliers, and will be singing with the group beginning in September. I can't tell you how excited he is! The letter came on Saturday! Not only that, but he got a call from the CVA asking if they could display two of his art pieces in the gallery for their next show, since he is a past student - so he's feeling pretty on top of the world.
The only thing marring the weekend was our sadness at having all our summer adventures without my father, who was always with us. He went to every festival, every concert - he loved them all. It isn't the same without him. Devon had a good time at St. Anne's - but after about an hour or so he suddenly burst into tears - saying it just wasn't the same without his BeBop. And truly, it wasn't. I took him home and we both cried the whole way back to the house.....just one of those nights.
I read something recently about grief in terms of it being a passive state.....grief is something that happens to you - but mourning is the process of dealing with the grief. I don't know when grief ends and mourning begins - but I know it's a slow process.