Take me there...
On Friday, August 3, 2007, I ventured with my mom, Anne Gero, to Manistique, MI to visit the gravesite of my dad, Robert Gero. Mom asked me in July if I could take her up there. She wanted to check the grave marker to make sure it was okay and I think she just wanted to go to be there again.
We rented a 2007 Ford Focus car to drive there as neither Mom's car, nor my beast, would probably make the trip as easily. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express that we were at last year for the interment at Lakeview Cemetery.
Mom and I spent a lovely day visiting Dickinson Homes, Inc. (MI) model home village. My ex-husband and I sold Dickinson Homes in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
It was fun for me to see the homes. The quality is still there. They have a model home village that consists of 5 different homes as well as a display of all the products. It's a great place. I even ran into people that remembered me from the days of selling Dickinson Homes. Mom and I were thrilled with the quality. I can't wait to build mine here!! 
After we checked into our hotel and had a bite to eat at the neighborhood Pizza Hut, we visited with Mrs. Dorothy Hoholik and her daughter, Molly. Mom and I enjoyed fresh raspberries and ice cream and a wonderful visit with them. Molly is a retired kindergarten teacher from WI. She owes her love of teaching to Grace Gero, an aunt of my father's. Mrs. H spoke well of my family. She spoke of how my great grandfather's organizational skills built Manistique. He was a founding father. This is very cool to me as a history major. We revisited with Mrs. H. and Molly on Saturday morning at the Pamida parking lot where they were doing their volunteer thing for Operation Backpack for under privileged kids.
The entire trip was a learning experience for me. Mom shared with me things that she and Dad did. It was enjoyable to listen to all that "stuff."
As you all know...I love country music...and this song, by Rascal Flatts, which just came out...reminds me of my weekend in Michigan.
Thanks, Mom, for asking me to go. I really had a lot of fun!
Rascal Flatts - Take Me There
There’s a place in your heart, nobody's been,
Take me there.
Things nobody knows,
Not even your friends,
Take me there.
Tell me bout your momma, your daddy, your hometown,
Show me around,
I want see it all, don't leave anything out.
I want to know, everything about you THEN.
And I want to go, down every road you've been.
Where your hopes and dreams, and wishes live,
Where you keep the rest of your life hid,
I want to know the girl behind that pretty stare,
Take me there.
Your first real kiss, your first true love,
You were scared.
Show me where,
You learned about life, spent your summer nights, without a care.
I want to roll down main street, the back roads,
Like you did when you were a kid,
What made you who you are,
Tell me what your story is.
I want to know, everything about you THEN.
And I want to go, down every road you've been.
Where your hopes and dreams, and wishes live,
Where you keep the rest of your life hid,
I want to know the girl behind that pretty stare
Take me there.
Yeah,
I want to know, everything about you,
Yeah, everything about you baby.
I want to go, down every road you've been.
Where your hopes and dreams and wishes live,
Where you keep the rest of your life hid,
I want to know the girl behind that pretty stare.
Take me, take me, take me there,
Oh.
Take me there, yeah
Take me, baby, take me
Take me there.
posted by Peggy Gero DaValt at Sunday, August 05, 2007
7 Comments:
I, for one, would be completely freaked out to see my headstone with only one date left to fill in. With the shadow, it almost looked like Mom was being measured for it.
Lovely post, Sis. Thanks for doing that very nice thing for Mom.
She and I were joking about that very thing, Ruth. I actually asked her how it felt to be alive, but to see the headstone with her name on it.
She also commented, jokingly, that she might die while we're on the road up there. I told her...that's fine, I'd just dig a hole and put her next to Dad and contact the funeral home there. Everyone would just have to head to Manistique. *grin*
We had a nice tour de memory lane and it was fun and educational for me. She's going to get me some books that Dad bought on the history of Manistique. There is actually about 2 acres of land that is vacant on Gero Avenue.
Mrs. H. said that the undertaker owned it. *grin* Gero Avenue is across the street from the Lakeview Cemetery. There were actually a couple homes for sale there behind Gero Avenue.
I didn't mind doing this. It actually was fun!! I know that Mom enjoyed herself, too. We ate at Sunny Acres restaurant in Manistique for breakfast. The food was great and the view spectacular.
I got to see the Dickinson Homes model home village and that was something I've been wanting to do for awhile....so we killed two birds with one stone.
Thanks for your comments, Kinso :-)
Peggy....what a beautiful post. You needed to do a Kleenex warning, though....I'm so glad you did that for Mom and with Mom. I'm sure she's very grateful....
Mom's got some neat stories to tell and I've learned a lot from her when I take the time to slow down my pace and listen. Being in the car with her allowed you to do that. How blessed you are....
You're a great daughter to Mom and a great sister to us....Thanks again for doing the right thing vs. the convenient thing. Next year I'll have to plan to go with you.
Love ya millions,
Mary
Hey Mary -
Thanks for your nice note....although I wasn't sure it was a Kleenex moment....not one tear was shed this weekend, that I recall. It was a fun weekend, actually.
Sometime birth order does play a role.....and being the singlest of all of you, I have more flexibility to do stuff like this. I jokingly told Mom that I rented a Ford Mustang....maybe next year....I'll have to....*lol*
We stopped at a REALLY cool place in Crivitz called Charlie's Island Cafe. Their food was excellent and we had the most wonderful onion straws. Mom can tell you exactly what we spent....*grin*
Also, she's still pondering the $5 or $15 that's still unaccounted for in your checking account....*grin*
Have a great day....and thanks for posting the nice things you did.
Love,
Peggy :-)
Peggy, I posted last night and forgot to push "publish". Must be the age. I did have a wonderful time and visiting with you was something very special. Don't often get to do that with your very busy schedule. Noxt year, you maynot have to drive a rental car--I may have a newer one by then.
The side trip to Dickinson Homes was really a good idea and gave me lots of them. Now I can start to work on my plans.
I called Mrs. Robbert when I got home to tell her we saw her home as we left Manistique.
Your pictures are very nice and thanks for posting them. Maybe I should think about a digital camera so I could do the same.
Did you get the car back on time today?
Love,
Mom
Ruth Anne,
I was not freaked out to see my headstone. You know, we never know when that next date will be even when we are born. YOu only get one day at a time, so I take each one and live it up. Seeing the headstone I know that is what I want and you will not have to make any decisions about it after I am gone.
Peggy and I had a great trip.
Mom
Hi Mom -
Car back on time and full of cheaper than MI gas. *lol*
Digital camera...yes...get one. You won't regret it. I recommend a Canon...but perhaps Paul can make a more specific one.
Peggy :)
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