That was totally a 2-way street. We always made sure that each knew how the other felt. Sure, we'd have our spats, but we got over it and moved on together. And laughed about it a few days later. Truly a special man.

So, I'm flying out Thursday morning to Rockford, IL with his ashes. Got the flight, got the hotel. The flight leaves at 8:00am, so I figure I have to be there by 6. At first, I thought I'd stay at a hotel nearby and take their shuttle over. I can leave the car in their lot for a couple of days as part of the package. Then, I thought... hmmmm.... maybe I'll just take the airport shuttle from home that morning. It costs as much as the hotel room w/ breakfast and parking! I think I'll take the hotel. Driving myself isn't a good option. I'll have enough on my mind without having to worry about getting stuck in traffic.

Good call to stay overnight near the airport.

Well, I'm off to Rockford, IL. It's going to be a long 3 days. Hopefully, it won't be an ugly 3 days. Time will tell.

Rick

Well Rick, do your best and the hell with the rest! Safe trip.

Rick.

I'm so sorry for your loss Rick. Larry so exemplified the term gentle man. His love and feelings for you were often proudly seen in his gentle face. I wish I had gotten to know him better.

So you are back here Rick? I hope everything went well---

It's been a long week. I picked up Larry's cremains on Wednesday afternoon and sent them overnight to Illinois. Dark and early Thursday, I boarded a plane for Chicago, and arrived at Rockford, IL late morning.

The families got together for and early dinner to tell 'Larry' stories and to go over a few things. Friday was a beautiful, sunny day, although a wee bit on the windy side.

I planted a few of his favorite things by the Krug family plot marker: an Autumn Brilliance fern, his favorite fern; a hosta Forbidden fruit, which he picked for the front of the house several years ago; and some winter aconite, which was his latest addition to the 'likes' list.

We had a small, but beautiful service graveside. Larry's grandchildren all paid their respects and spoke. I was the only one that didn't speak. I tried, but I couldn't. It was just too hard.

We went back to Barb Krug's home (wife of Gary Krug, Larry's brother) for a light lunch and more story telling. We again went for an early dinner (ok, so it was during the senior citizen hour!). Barb picked me up at 2:40am (1;40am Eastern) to get me to the bus station to head back home. When I finally arrived at BWI, my baggage claim was at one end of the terminal and regional bus stop at the other. Yep, you guessed it… I got there just as the bus was pulling out.

I eventually got home around 11:30, where I had to brace myself to enter the house. It could have been a sunny, 85 degree day, but the house still would have felt cold and empty.

Those of you that have lost a loved one understand the pain I'm feeling right now. It will take time, but I'll get through this. Every time I close my eyes, he's there. He was and will continue be a source of strength for me. I love him and I miss him.

So glad you were able to plant those plants for him.

My Autumn Brilliance fern would like to be called 'Larry' if you don"t mind .......It is as lovely in the springtime as in the fall.......

Absolutely don't mind. He'd get a kick out that!

Rick, it sounds like nice happenings for Larry's memorial. I love that you planted several of his favorites at the family plot.

Rick, Glad you made it back safely. Sounds like a lovely memorial service for Larry and how meaningful to grace the family plot with some favorite plants.

Rick, such a sad trip, but it's good you could all share Larry stories and be together. It took a lot of courage to walk through your door that night. For every reminder at home that makes your loss hit hard, I hope you'll find a shared memory to get you through it.

I just planted an Autumn Brilliance fern, and I too will henceforth call it Larry!

Well, I found the original trust document... from 1997. I spoke with the attorney's office that prepared it back then. They don't have anything more current. My sister-in-law, who is listed as the Executor, will give them a call later today to see what they really have.

I really want to smack him right now. Lovingly, of course

Glad you found the document--

I remember your mentioning one family member with a realistic view of the situation re. how long it would take for paperwork, sorting through all the storage boxes, etc... hoping that was your SIL the executor! Sorry to hear the attorney's office didn't have more current documents; I know you were hoping they would.

Thinking of you this weekend. Hope you've been able to make progress on the logistics. Praying for comfort and a good memory when something reminds you keenly of Larry's absence. He's so missed... and you are so loved.

Thanks. He is greatly missed and I know that I and he are loved by you guys. It really helps.

I managed to get the flower boxes on the back patio planted today just the way Larry did them... bronze wax begonias in red, pink and white . I got the rest of the basil in, and even potted up some marigolds for the rack. The coleus will have to wait for another day.

The caladium and callas are breaking ground, so maybe I'll get them potted up and placed next week. And, I still need to find a place for the gladiolus and columbine. This was so much easier when I had my little helper.

The cucumbers and artichokes are hanging on, but they really do want a real home. The horseradish is looking good, too. Sadly, the rhubarb died. Somehow, it managed to get too much water and the crown rotted. I'm still trying to figure that one out.

One thing that Larry always took care to bring in early and not set out to early was our ficus tree. He had that thing for at least 25 years. I wouldn't say it was his pride and joy, but he was very insistent that only HE was allowed to trim it!

Over the last 10 years or so, it's become a real chore to get it out of and into the house with the season changes. Whether it was going out, or coming it, it always needed to be trimmed. In an effort to keep it small, I've also taken to repotting it every couple of years by taking it out of the pot, trimming the roots back by a third to a half, and repotting it with fresh soil.

Now that Larry is gone, I don't know that I want to keep lugging that sucker out and in. Admittedly, it's a nice focal point on the back patio, and it does look kind of cool for the holidays with it's colored lights. (Yes, we had a Christmas Ficus.) But, it was getting to be an effort with the two of us. Now that it's just me, well . . .

I'm sure some will say to keep it as a reminder, maybe even name it Larry. But, when I look around the house and the yard, all I see is Larry.

I'm sorry. I'm rambling.