Loving our new Toyota Hylander Hybrid (2-22-06)

It's been a busy few days traveling to see family and staying away from the computer. My blog entries is one area that suffers.

We traveled in style, because, on Saturday, we bought a new car. I traded in my six-year-old Dodge Intrepid for a new Toyota Highlander Hybrid. What a wonderful car! We drove it to Palm Desert and then to San Diego and back. It performed beautifully. I must confess that part of the reason I bought it when I did is that I thought I could get stickers that would allow me to drive in the California Diamond Lanes alone. After purchasing the car, I went to the website to find out how to apply to learn that the Highlander Hybrid did not qualify. It's focus is more performance than super mileage, and they are into rewarding the high-mileage vehicles. I was disappointed but still glad to have the larger vehicle; I want safety as well as mileage. I love driving the vehicle, and I expect the love affair to continue.

Our first stop was in Palm Desert, where we spent time with my uncle Mike and Aunt Arlene. Arlene is putting up a gallant fight to hold onto life, but her body has been through many operations in recent years for breast cancer and stomach blockage and, having passed 80, her body is finding it hard to come back. We wanted to see her and offer support to Mike. They are high school sweethearts, and he has never reached out to others. For Mike, Arlene is his life-his love, his best friend and his constant companion. In recent years, he has been her constant companion and caretaker. Over the years, she served him, but now that role is reversed. In these final days for Arlene, he's been forced to make tough decisions. She wants to be home in spite of the fact that extending her life would require more aggressive measures. He is doing what she wants, but he knows it will mean that she will die quicker. When you have been focused on keeping someone healthy, it's tough to give your self permission to allow someone you love to die with dignity. We talked about his lack of sleeping and how to cope. We prayed with Arlene, Mike and the family as we placed hands on Arlene. We prayed for God's strength and peace enfold them.

My mom and dad had come to see them as well, so we left Palm Desert and followed them back to their home in Rancho San Diego. We spent the night at their house in preparation for my presentation on Lincoln and what we can learn from him today to the residents of their facility. There was time for good conversations, watching the winter Olympics on their new high-definition TV and a purchase of a new printer for dad. We set up the printer. I gave my talk which has received glowing positive gossip from the 100 that attended. Giving pleasure to mom and dad is something I love doing. My brother Doug and his wife Judy were also there. They had not had the opportunity to see me speak often. It was an all around good experience.

There is something about living a balanced life that is hard but very satisfying. You never seem to have time to get everything done for your career, but then who wants on their tombstone-"He finished everything on his To-Do list!"

We now prepare for a holiday trip to Tahoe and time with our grandchildren.