We went to visit my dad and his girlfriend in New Orleans this past weekend. This was a difficult trip for me … my parents divorced about six years ago and my sister and I are still dealing with a lot of issues as a result of that. Whoever says “wait until the kids are grown” doesn’t know what they’re talking about. The only difference is adult kids don’t worry about their security when their parents divorce.
The fact remains, my father is getting older (he’ll be 72 in February), and who knows how much longer anyone will be around? So we went to visit. On Saturday we went to the Audubon Zoo … that was interesting and Jami enjoyed it greatly. I’m not a big zoo person … so five hours was a plenty long time to walk around looking at a bunch of smelly animals. LOL Seriously, it’s nice to do every once in a while, but not as an all-day event. Saturday evening, his girlfriend made shrimp creole for dinner and Sunday morning we went to Cafe Du Monde, across from Jackson Square in the French Quarter, for coffee and beignets. Cafe Du Monde has been serving coffee and beignets 24 hours a day, year round since 1862 … although I expect they closed during the major storms, especially Katrina …. (more text below the photos ….)
The scene across the street from Cafe Du Monde …
An Irish girl in her Greek hat, waiting for her French donuts …
Coffee with chicory, hot milk … and French Beignets … can’t wait for the sugar and caffeine jitters to start … LOL
After breakfast, we hit the road for the 6+ hour drive home. With a lunch and dinner stop, it took us about 8 hours to get home. We were really tired, but when I listened to the messages on the machine, I was so glad we went to see my dad. Our next-door neighbor, a retired Marine, was found dead next to his pickup truck Saturday morning. He’d apparently had a heart attack. He was only a few years older than my dad. So in spite of our “issues” I was glad that I’d finally made the trip over.
One concern that I was not able to broach with my dad over the weekend was his salvation … he is not a Christian, although he believes that he is. And because of different things that happened in his marriage to my mom (the Bible thumper), this is not something that I am able to talk to him about. He gets extremely angry. I keep praying that the Lord will send someone across his path that he will listen to. It was difficult to explain to Jami that my father has heard the Gospel, knows the truth, and chooses to reject it rather than relinquish control over to God. It disturbed her greatly, but I encouraged her to pray for him (and his girlfriend) …
Your prayers would be appreciated, too … his name is Jimmy and his girlfriend’s name is Adrienne (nickname: “Lamb”) …
The fact remains, my father is getting older (he’ll be 72 in February), and who knows how much longer anyone will be around? So we went to visit. On Saturday we went to the Audubon Zoo … that was interesting and Jami enjoyed it greatly. I’m not a big zoo person … so five hours was a plenty long time to walk around looking at a bunch of smelly animals. LOL Seriously, it’s nice to do every once in a while, but not as an all-day event. Saturday evening, his girlfriend made shrimp creole for dinner and Sunday morning we went to Cafe Du Monde, across from Jackson Square in the French Quarter, for coffee and beignets. Cafe Du Monde has been serving coffee and beignets 24 hours a day, year round since 1862 … although I expect they closed during the major storms, especially Katrina …. (more text below the photos ….)
The scene across the street from Cafe Du Monde …
An Irish girl in her Greek hat, waiting for her French donuts …
Coffee with chicory, hot milk … and French Beignets … can’t wait for the sugar and caffeine jitters to start … LOL
After breakfast, we hit the road for the 6+ hour drive home. With a lunch and dinner stop, it took us about 8 hours to get home. We were really tired, but when I listened to the messages on the machine, I was so glad we went to see my dad. Our next-door neighbor, a retired Marine, was found dead next to his pickup truck Saturday morning. He’d apparently had a heart attack. He was only a few years older than my dad. So in spite of our “issues” I was glad that I’d finally made the trip over.
One concern that I was not able to broach with my dad over the weekend was his salvation … he is not a Christian, although he believes that he is. And because of different things that happened in his marriage to my mom (the Bible thumper), this is not something that I am able to talk to him about. He gets extremely angry. I keep praying that the Lord will send someone across his path that he will listen to. It was difficult to explain to Jami that my father has heard the Gospel, knows the truth, and chooses to reject it rather than relinquish control over to God. It disturbed her greatly, but I encouraged her to pray for him (and his girlfriend) …
Your prayers would be appreciated, too … his name is Jimmy and his girlfriend’s name is Adrienne (nickname: “Lamb”) …
A Scribbler & A Shutterbug 
I will definitely be praying that God will send the right person into his life, that he will listen to. I have family like that, too. Your dad is the same age as mine.
I think divorce would create problems no matter how old the kids are. My sister has been divorced twice and it creates problems for the extended family even then.
Glad you had a good trip.
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Forgot a couple of things…..
I don’t remember our wedding music, either. Good thing I wrote it down. But it has been 28 years. Some things escape my mind from that long ago. Some things from yesterday escape my mine
And I’m with you on those smelly animals.
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I’m glad you went because you’re right – you never know… Anyway, I’ve been to Cafe Du Monde – love those beignets. Just prayed for someone to share Jesus with your dad. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!
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It’s good that you went, and I’ll pray for your dad. I’ve only driven through NO once, and I’ve never had beignets. I sure would like to try them! Very sad about your neighbor.
Have a blessed week,
Renee
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