Breakfast 'American' style

Labor Day~a day usually concluding a weekend spent with family at our hide-a-way home in Nahma, MI, which involves 6-8 hours of travel, including watching the Mackinac Bridge walkers. It might be spent watching the main parade in my hometown of Belding, at the Labor Day Celebration.

September 1, 2008, with my dad Louis still recuperating from his last cancer procedure, the biggest celebration is no cancer! The girls kept busy with friends most of the weekend. It was our surprise when my cousin Jim Kochenower, called on Sunday night. "Could we meet Monday morning for breakfast?" He is a pilot with American Airlines and would arrive late Sunday night with a Monday lunchtime departure. He & his wife, Rona & three young children have relocated from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Provo, Utah, where family roots are. It's a good thing he can use his American wings & fly. His parents, my dad's oldest sister Doreen & husband, Bob are in Provo. Jim's sisters & brother & their families are dotted around the world. Brother Corin in Provo, sister Brenda in San Diego, sister Kim in Okinawa, Japan, sister Amy in Arizona. We last visited with Jim on a layover in January, when my dad spent a length of time in the hospital. It's easy to understand how blessed we are when a few moments can be shared.

Usually Grandma Arlene makes a big breakfast, this day it was still 'her treat' but at Arnies Restaurant. Thank you, Mom! Grandpa Louie wasn't feeling up to the ride to Grand Rapids, so Mom drove in from Belding with my dad's sister Cathy. They greeted Jim at the hotel. Although it was only a little over an hour we were able to visit, share some news & create a memory. We cut the visit short to take Kelsey to the ER for breathing difficulties, a condition she is already being tested & treated for. After 3 hours of tests & waiting she was given the green light. In irony, I think if Jim calls to so say he is flying in, which I hope he does, we'll plan on meeting at the hospital cafe!