Hurricane Harvey and The Leyndyke Family: Part II

Previously, I wrote about my son, Travis, and his wife, Alayna, heading home to Houston for the first time to see what damage Hurricane Harvey had done to their home in Houston.

They were one of the fortunate ones!  Thankfully, their home, cars and pup, Caesar, were all undamaged.  I am one grateful mother.  I was worried for a week about what they would find once they got home.

The devastation that was wrought by Hurricane Harvey is unimaginable.  The news stories are filled with the damage Harvey had on the area.  The news stories are filled with the spirit that is alive in Houston as well.  I speak of Houston because that is where my son calls home.  The damage is more widespread than Houston.  It is all along the gulf from Rockport, Texas to Louisiana.

It is expected that recovery will cost about 190 billion dollars.  Those in the flooded areas have seen great losses.  Entire neighborhoods, schools, libraries, banks, stores, and businesses are dealing with the damage left behind.

One of the things my son said is that there is an army of volunteers ready and willing to help those impacted.  The "Cajun Navy" arrived to help those trapped in their homes.  FEMA, Red Cross, Salvation Army and others are there to help.  HEB, a local grocery store, was one of the first to bring semi loads of food and water to the area.  Houston Texans football star, JJ Watts, through his foundation has collected over $17 million that will help in the recovery efforts.  Jim McIngvale, aka Mattress Mack, opened his Gallery Furniture stores to those in need of shelter.  The reports of those helping is everywhere, these are just a few that make the headlines.

My son, and his wife, arrived home on Friday night.  Saturday morning, they were headed to Lowe's to pick up supplies for a friend.  They were heading to her house to help.  Sunday morning found them volunteering in another area.  Nothing makes me prouder than to know he is helping those less fortunate.  Travis and Alayna know how fortunate they were and want to help.

My daughter, Kirsten, and her husband, Chase, who live in Chicago, have donated to Austin Pets Alive, an animal shelter that is helping with pet evacuations from Houston and finding shelters to take them in.  Our whole family knows our story could be entirely different.

My hope is that the spirit of giving continues for months to come as the Houston area is going to need help rebuilding for many months, if not years.  I know I will be giving.  I have a lot to be thankful for that my family was spared the worst that Mother Nature has to offer.  I won't forget those who weren't spared.  I hope you won't either.

Hurricane Harvey and The Leyndyke Family

I woke up Friday, August 25th feeling like a weight had been lifted from my chest. My stress level lowered immensely.  I was happy!  My parents, after three months of preparation, were safely ensconced in an independent senior living apartment.  I knew they would be safe and secure.  If they needed help, it was available. I felt like I had energy to do a few things that I had let go over the past couple of years. Well, you know what they say-"we plan-God laughs".

Intersection of Braesmont and Braeswood, Houston-about 4 miles from Travis and Alayna's home.

Never did I think that a once in a 1,000 years flood would hit the area of Houston, Texas during my planning! Houston, the town my son, Travis, and his wife, Alayna, and my grand-pup, Caesar, called home. No matter how old your children are you never stop worrying about them.  Anyone who has seen the news in the last week has seen the devastation that Hurricane Harvey wrought on the area.

Luckily, my son, who is an assistant athletic director at Rice University, was traveling for work when Harvey hit shore.  He had the trip of a lifetime.  He traveled with the Rice Owls football team to Sydney, Australia for the Sydney Cup where Rice University played Stanford University.  It was an awesome opportunity for Travis.

Caesar surviving Hurricane Harvey

Alayna, his wife, had a wedding to attend in Connecticut.  They had a reliable dog-sitter, Elizabeth, who it turns out was God-sent.  They were safe, but unable to return home to Caesar and their house.

Travis arrived to the United States and was redirected to Fort Worth, Texas where he and the Rice contingent have been staying since Monday.  Alayna was able to fly to Dallas and Monday night they were reunited.  They knew the dog sitter had taken Caesar to her home, which was a upper level apartment and prayed all were safe. They had no way of knowing what condition their house was in as they had just moved there in July and didn't know the neighbor's phone numbers. Roads were impassable. They were glued to the news, social media, and area flood maps looking for information about their neighborhood.

As I write this, Travis and Alayna, are preparing to board a bus to return to Houston for the first time since Harvey hit.  They have no idea what they will find once they get to their house.  I have been a nervous wreck worrying about them.  Travis does a great job of keeping me informed, but it is not the same as being there to take care of them.  Once a mother, always a mother!

I sit patiently (okay, I may be stretching the truth a little) and wait to hear from Travis and Alayna and the condition of their home. I am preparing mental lists of items I can take to them, if needed.  My husband and I are ready to jump in the car at a moment's notice to help with the clean up.

I have researched disasters and the impact they have had on my ancestor's, but I never thought I would be recording a monumental disaster that Hurricane Harvey is for a descendant, my son, no less.

Travis and Alayna are only two of the thousands of people affected by Harvey, but they are the two most important ones in my life.  Relief efforts are underway across Houston and the United States. Many, many people are volunteering to help those who need it.  I am just waiting for my turn.

To My Son, With Love

My son, Travis Kirk Leyndyke married Alayna Jovan DeSalvo, July 4, 2015 at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, Florida.  It was a beautiful ceremony and reception.  I am so happy to welcome Alayna to the family.  Yes, she is already in my database!

One of the gifts I gave my daughter when she got married was a memory book, "To My Daughter, With Love".  It was something I picked up at a book sale and thought it would be a great wedding keepsake.  My son announced his engagement and I started looking for a memory book to give to him.  I never dreamed I would find the same book, but for a son.

To My Son, With Love-A Mother's Memory Book is filled with journal like prompts to record my cherished memories of the days my son and I have shared. The beautifully illustrated book has three sections: About Our Family; About Myself; and About My Son.

The About Our Family section starts with listing grandparents, interesting ancestors and family traits that have been passed down to my son.  It continues with memories of my mother and father, family traditions, special places, family memories, and more.

The About Myself section starts with 'The Day I Was Born' and includes lots of memories. Memories about my childhood, homes, schools, friends, daydreams, boys, passions, marriage, and more.

The last section, About My Son, is all about Travis.  My memories of his birth day, toddler years, when he was a little boy, how he drove me nuts (by not getting out of bed in the morning), games and activities he did, favorite recipe, growing up and letting go, the love of his life, and his wedding day. The book ends with two pages where I can list who was special to him, who encouraged him, who was important to him and more.

The above page called "Cooking Up Trouble" has one of Travis' favorite recipes for Mexican Layered Dip.  I can't even count the number of times I have made this.  It is a recipe I wrote down after years of perfecting it.  It is a combination of about three recipes.  I would make this in the shape of a pumpkin for Halloween, using the tomatoes and olives for the face;  a Christmas tree for Christmas time decorating the 'tree' with the tomatoes and olives.  I would make it as a treat to eat while watching Saturday afternoon college football games, for Super Bowl Sunday, and for Halo XBox game nights at our house.  It was always requested by Travis for our tree trimming party.  I knew this was the recipe the minute I saw this page. I only wish I had a picture of Travis and I making it together.

Journaling in Travis' book was something that took some time to complete.  Some of the pages were filled with facts and completed easily. Some pages found me digging deep in my memory bank and recording stories I forgot about long ago. Some pages required emotional honesty, sharing experiences I had never shared with Travis before. Those pages found me taking a break and reflecting on what I wanted to say.

Every page is completed in my handwriting.  Some pages have copies of my favorite pictures.  Every page is filled with love.  It is a book that Travis will keep forever as a reminder of how much he is loved and how I cherish every day, every moment and every second that I had with him.  I am proud to be his mother.

I had to chuckle at a promise at the bottom of one page.  I felt it was a good reminder of the type of mother and mother-in-law I hope to be.  I just had to highlight it.  It is with sincere hope that I fulfill this promise each and every day.

 

Leyndyke-DeSalvo Wedding

The lyrics of Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof, flow through my mind today.

Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?

I don't remember growing older
When did they? 

When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?

Wasn't it yesterday
When they were small? 

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

My little boy is getting married today.  As the song says, I don't remember growing older, when did they?  Travis hasn't lived at home since he graduated from college in 2009, but today I am a bundle of emotions.  I am happy that Travis found the love of his life in Alayna.  I am happy to be celebrating their special day with them. In their honor, I will share a few pictures of there growing together as a couple.

She took a chance and traveled to Seattle to get to know him. 

 Making a Blackhawks fan out of them both!

A great, young and successful couple.

At a friend's wedding and now it is their turn.

Dearest Travis and Alayna. I wish you all the joy and love one could possibly have.  You are a great couple, you deserve it.  

Happy Birthday, Alayna

Soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Alayna and my son, Travis, on Mackinac Island

It won't be long and I will be able to add another person to our family tree, Alayna. Alayna is the one chosen by my son, Travis, to love and marry, but she is already a cherished and valued member of our family.

Happy Birthday, Alayna!  I hope you have a wonderful birthday and a year filled with many blessings. 

Glover Christmas Eve Traditions Through the Years

Christmas Eve, 1991

The first one after my parents moved to Michigan

Kirsten and Travis, with my niece, Brianna in front.

Ever since my parents moved back to Michigan, 23 years ago, Kirk, Kirsten, Travis and I have been spending most Christmas Eve's with my parents.  This has been a tradition for such a long time that when we don't go to my parents home in Portage, Michigan it is odd.

Christmas Eve, 1993

L-R Brianna, Kirsten, Colton, Travis on Grandma's lap with Grandpa standing

The family has changed over the years, but the traditions haven't.  My mother, who is an excellent hostess, doesn't feel like she has been successful unless we have a sit down dinner.  Her go to Christmas Eve dinner is steak, baked potatoes, green salad, watergate salad (for Travis), strawberry jello salad (for Kirsten) dinner rolls, and homemade Christmas cookies and ice cream for dessert.

One would think you wouldn't serve anything else with all that for dinner, but my mother doesn't think that way.  She sets out Christmas m and m's, candy canes, cashews, and peppermint patties in her various Christmas candy dishes.  Some years she will have appetizers, shrimp, cheese and crackers, tortilla chips and dip, and more. For years my husband would leave with pains in his shoulder from eating so much.  He has learned over the years to pace himself.

Christmas Eve, 2013

One of the years we didn't have a steak dinner, just snacks.  

The wings aren't even on the table yet!

The family felt that a sit down dinner was too much work for my mother and we have tried to get her to just go the light snack/appetizer route.  My mom feels that is more work than dinner, so she went back to dinner and still has the appetizers.  I now know where I get my need to have an abundance of food at holidays.

One of the fun parts of the evening was when my mother grabbed grocery bags and tried to give away all the leftovers.  My sister, Nancy, lived in Michigan for awhile and it was funny to watch us put things in each other bags, especially the candy canes.

Kirsten with her 2013 Granddaughter ornament

After dinner, we would open gifts.  One of the gifts my parents have given their grandchildren since they were born were Hallmark granddaughter or grandson ornaments. My mom said when they graduated from high school she would stop, then it was age 21, now she says as long as she is alive she will continue to buy them.  I think it is a wonderful tradition that her grandchildren will treasure for years to come.  I gave my daughter all of her ornaments the year she got married.  My tree seemed so bare that year without them.  This fall, I took my son's ornaments to him.  I think I am going to need to buy more ornaments.

I appreciate that my parents have kept the tradition of our family getting together at their house for Christmas Eve.  I have many fond memories of this special time.

Here are a few more pictures of the Glover Christmas Eve tradition through the years.

 Sorry, Grandpa we cut you out of it.

 The Berry Family

Kirsten with her gifts.

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandchildren.  

Pictures in front of the tree are mandatory.

Eventually, my sister and her family moved to Washington 

and it was just my family and my parents.

Our son-in-law, Chase, was welcomed into the family.

Then, our soon to be, daughter-in law, Alayna, joined us.

And last but not least, our grand pup, Ella.  Her first Christmas there was one to remember.  I may have fed her too many treats before we left our house.

Happy Birthday, Alayna

Happy Birthday, Alayna!

Our son, Travis, is dating a wonderful young lady named Alayna.  Today is her birthday.  Happy Birthday!  I hope your year is as special as you are.