Abigail and I recently drove up to McGregor for a weekend that brought a mix of special traditions and unexpected family worries. We originally planned the trip to attend a beloved 41-year-old community event before Abigail moves out of state for at least three years, but life threw us a curveball just before we arrived. The photos below will tell the story of our weekend filled with both community heritage and hospital bedside visits.
(Click on any photo to enlarge it.)
At the heart of rural North Dakota are traditions like the annual creamy baked chicken supper at Zion Lutheran Church in McGregor. Returning always feels like coming home--especially now that my sister Sandy has taken our late mother's place in the kitchen to keep this four-decade legacy alive. Abigail wanted to experience it again before moving to Norfolk, Virginia, for her three-year pediatric residency; and my sister Cathy even traveled in from Belgrade, Montana, to share the meal with us! (Susan had to be in Bismarck to judge a competitive speech event for school.)
Our original plan was to bring Dad with us to the supper, but he was admitted to the hospital in Tioga several days before we arrived after experiencing some sudden weakness, mobility issues, and confusion. Abigail, my sisters, and I split our weekend between the farm and his bedside. While it wasn't the trip we planned, we were grateful to be there to support him as he waits for possible answers from the doctors.
The Plan of Care board in Dad's hospital room wasn't updated over the weekend, so I thought I would be helpful and recommend some care activities for the nursing staff to do with Dad. I'll have to ask him if they followed up with him!
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