Kansas Snapshots by Gloria Freeland - November 22, 2024

Good medicine

Two days into my recovery from my recent medical adventure, husband Art had a surprise for me. I thought he was being considerate by staying home last Thursday morning and half of the afternoon. In reality, he was giving himself a good reason to be at work late that day.

So when the front door opened at about 9 p.m., I called out a greeting from the couch as I typically do: "There's my guy!"

I was "gobsmacked" when the face that appeared over the ledge by the steps was not Art's, but that of our "German son" Tim. Art's six-hour absence was not spent working, but driving to and from the airport in Kansas City.

When Tim, wife Meike, and their two boys met us and two friends in Prague in the fall of 2023, there had been some talk about Tim coming for a Kansas State University football game. But nothing more was said and I hadn't given it any additional thought ... which was the way they planned it.

I jumped up - as best as one can jump up after abdominal surgery - to hug Tim, warning him to not squeeze me too hard.

We chatted excitedly for a bit and then settled down for the fast-food supper he and Art had brought home. Tim had root beer - something completely absent in Germany. For years, it was used as a flavoring agent in liquid medicines, which effectively killed any commercial market for the drink. But he acquired a taste for it during past visits to the States.

After about an hour, Tim said he'd never be able to make it until 11 to call Meike in Berlin. A whole day of staying awake had taken its toll.

The next day began with both Tim and me not awakening until about mid-morning. Art made scrambled eggs for breakfast. We really didn't have much catching-up to do as the previous evening's conversation, combined with regular every-few-days WhatsApp messages, meant we were pretty well up-to-date.

The plan for the day involved Tim visiting daughter Mariya and her wife Miriam, meeting our new grandchild, and shopping for some Wildcat football team items for himself and friends. Tim heard me mention giving my grocery list to Art, who enjoys shopping, which I don't. Tim said he likes it too and asked if he could do it. Art looked at me and said, "I don't enjoy it THAT much. Give him the list!"

I behaved myself and rested at home. Before long, I received a photo of Tim holding our newest family member.

That was how our first day together passed, finishing with the leftovers of a hamburger casserole dish Art had made the day before my surgery.

The next day was game day, but jet lag kicked in hard. Tim was unable to sleep after awakening before dawn. Yet as noon approached, he grew progressively more tired and went back to bed for a long afternoon nap.

He awoke a few hours later in good shape for the early evening game. At about 4:30 p.m., Art took him into town, where they picked up daughter Mariya and our friend Dave. Art dropped them off at the stadium so they could watch the pre-game show with the K-State Marching Band. At half time, he and Mariya met up with my brother and his gal friend Marilyn.

Unfortunately, the team had an uncharacteristically bad outing, but Tim said he still enjoyed the atmosphere and watching people. Art's plan to pick them up after the game was about as successful as the team. He expected traffic would be adjusted to make it easy for people to leave the stadium, but he wasn’t prepared for zero lanes heading toward the stadium. They eventually connected several blocks away.

On Sunday, Tim made cranberry pancakes from the flour we had purchased at Maple Hollow, a place Tim had visited with us in Wisconsin on an earlier trip. Then it was into town to shop for an item Meike wanted and to jog through the campus.

In the evening, we gathered at Mariya and Miriam's place for supper.

Monday morning began with heavy rains, scuttling Tim's plans of an early-morning run. I offered to cook, and he opted for a traditional American breakfast of sunny-side-up fried eggs, bacon, and toast.

His last full day with us involved a protracted WhatsApp video call with Meike and the kids, an afternoon run, supper at Mariya and Miriam's and a little Monday Night Football.

I suppose this whole affair doesn't sound like a very exciting time - one worthy of a 10,000-mile trip. Tim had asked if he should call it off, what with my surgery and all. But Art and Tim decided it would probably be good for me. It would be good medicine as our times together are more comforting than exciting.

It was the right decision and his visit kept me from focusing on my tender tummy.

Thanks for coming, Tim!