My 94 year-old Mom escapes on mini-break?
Yep.
I offer up visual proof.
94 Year-Old Mom Escapes On Mini-Break
We very nearly didn’t go. Poor Francine’s been through the ringer of late. She was hit with a touch of pneumonia, just days before we were scheduled to leave. Obviously, it’s not the smartest idea for anyone, nevermind a nonagenarian, to tootle off to another country when ill. However, in typical Francine fashion (and powerful meds) she willed herself well. She was still a bit chesty but determined to go as she was in dire need of a mental health break. Being cooped up in her apartment is anathema to her.
Yes, we escaped to San Francisco!
Mom was so patient standing there leaning on her wheelie waiting for a cable car to appear in my camera frame …
“Shouldn’t be much longer, Mom! Deep breaths! Cough up the phlegm, better out than in …”
Why San Fran? Well, in addition to it only being two hours flying time away and, being San Francisco, Mom and I have had quite the adventures there. It was the perfect ticket to restore her spirit.
When we worked together in Mom’s eclectic Vancouver Asian antiques and collectibles shop, Frankie Robinson Oriental Gallery, the two of us bought much of our inventory on overseas buying trips to Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan etc. However, in between those buying trips, we often found our inventory dwindling and in need of a top up. So, we’d zip down to San Francisco for a quick 48 hour buying spree. While perhaps not quite as exotic as South East Asia or East Asia, we always found many treasures from our coterie of San Franciscan wholesalers.
Lest you think it was glamorous, I encourage you to think huge, dirty warehouses with stacks and stacks of antique chests piled to the ceiling. Of course, the one that caught Frankie’s eye (she was always “Frankie” in the shop) was always mid-pile. Before she drifted off to hunt for other potential gems, she’d sweetly suggest I assist Edward (or Luke or Bill) in their efforts to extricate that piece from the pile.
“Kelly’s very good on a ladder …”
My true work began once the vendors grasped the size of our growing wish lists, though. After aptly assessing who paid the bills in our partnership, they’d latch onto Frankie. Blessed with a wonderful eye for honing in on the unique items, she’d purr at their effusive attention and ramp up her enthusiasm. Before I knew it, they’d be nattering cozily about delivery, with Frankie breezily mentioning the possibility of her and me each driving a rental truck packed with furniture, over 800 miles back to Vancouver, British Columbia (We always used professional trucking companies. I only did it once myself, in the ten years I worked with her; thankfully my late husband was behind the wheel. Yes, I’ll be sharing that delight in my book).
Time to reign everything back in.
“Frankie, while those standing Thai wooden Buddhas are magnificent, don’t you think it would better if we bought just two or maybe four, rather than 12? Make them appear to be more special to our customers? Less is more, as you always say.”
The vendor’s face would morph from delight to anger to disbelief as Frankie would sigh, throw up her hands and reluctantly agree.
“If it was just me, Edward (or Luke or Bill), I’d take the lot. But Kelly is the sensible one. She’s right. We’ll take just four …”
With the shop long closed, our San Fran trips are different now. On the previous one, Mom treated my son to his first drag show. As all good grandmothers do. This trip was no less blessed. We hit gold. Fleet Week, a United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard tradition in which active military ships recently deployed in overseas operations dock in a variety of major cities for one week, picked San Francisco during our time there.
Have a gander at the skywriting hovering above Union Square. Can you read what it says?
Here Francine checks out our viewing options for the airshow that was happening in just a few hours. Can you spot the Golden Gate bridge off to the left?
The airshow was breathtaking.
We got back home last night. Mom is feeling pleasantly revived, as am I.
Night, night, San Fran. Until next time.
Enough about me and how 94 year-old Mom escapes on mini-break. I’m curious about you. Where do you go when you’re in need of a mini-break? Have you ever been treated to Fleet Week? Do you adore all things San Francisco? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
31 Responses
Oh, my goodness, I’d love to think that I’d still be traveling when I’m 94. That’s awesome and I do love her spirit. Very inspiring!
She really is a wonder, Lea. Has so many health issues, yet she never complains. Just takes her meds and gets on with it. I’ll pass on your kind words to her, she’ll be tickled pink.
So glad that you both had such a wonderful break! San Francisco is indeed a pleasure to visit. I had a fantastic trip there during my 40th year ( my 2 close friends and I were all turning 40), and we were fortunate enough to hit a heritage home tour. So amazing to see the beautiful old homes on the inside!
What a lovely thing to do, Jane. I love heritage home tours and to do one in San Fran? Magical. Looking forward to our Kids Helpline stint with great excitement. Yay! Pressing the fast forward button.
Glad to hear that your Mom is feeling a better!!?? I have been to San Francisco a couple of times. Last visit included a terrifying bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge with the basketball team we were travelling with. Stop and take a picture they said – not a freakin chance !!! Never looked down once , borrowed from a famous fish – “just keep peddling, just keep peddling!”
A lovely place to visit, never the same trip twice.
Frankie, wanna show me the sights next year, never been to a drag show ??
Oh, now that’s been on my bucket list, Janice. To tootle across the Golden Gate on a bike. Nearly did it on the drag show trip but Francine would have been unable to, so we put it on hold. How very true that it is a lovely place to visit, never the same trip twice. I’ll pass on your drag show wishes to Mom. I can hear her now “well of course, can’t have someone going through life without a drag show experience …”
Saint Francine visits San Fran!
Stellar, Yvonne. Clever gal. Wish I’d thought of that.
How awesome! Your mum is such an…..an….you know all I can think to say is “WOW” how very blessed you are Miss Kelly! I do remember a fleet week of sorts in my younger days. I was 18 and standing on a corner in Traverse City Michigan. A bus pulled up and out poured a literal ‘sea’ of navy men. All of whom were on leave after some time at sea…..received several ‘propositions’ that day…..LOL! I did turn them down and I did manage to find my way out of the mob….they were all perfect gentlemen for the most part. I do remember someone pinching my …..derriere! HA!
Mom is a wonder. Thanks, Debbie – I’ll pass on your kind comments and once again, she’ll be tickled pink. Oh you had me grinning at your Traverse City vignette. We saw many, many, many uniformed military folk (lots of females as well as males) strolling the streets and I’m happy to report they all kept their hands to themselves. Ha!
God love Francine. San Francisco is one of my favorite cities. Next time bring Franicne to Austin, TX. My 98 year old Dad is in the market for some new arm candy.
Ooohhhhh I really should suggest Austin as our next destination. Her 100 year-old pal is starting to fade a tad. Still asks her to go dancing but they avoid the dance floor and stay close to his chair …
“Kelly’s very good on a ladder …” – hahahaha!
Anxiously awaiting the book.
You know I enjoyed my mini-break to NYC recently. I’ve been to San Francisco a few times while my parents lived there a couple years. Never got to Alcatraz because the tour was always sold out. Enjoyed Ghiradelli chocolate, though, so there’s that.
Your parents lived in San Fran? Oh wow. How wonderful. I’d have stuffed myself on the sourdough, clam and crab chowder as well as the Ghiradelli …I think you need to go back to do Alcatraz. You can book ahead online now. Let me know, and I’ll join you. Each time I do that tour they seem to add new bits.
Your book is going to be wonderful – this is fabulous. And I guessed right!
I do hope I have even half her spirit at 94. And that I’m alive at 94, let’s be real.
Good guessing, Lisa! I also hope to have half Mom’s spirit when I’m 94. Most days she’s busier than me. However, she won’t admit to being anything special. “Oh, Kel, it’s no big deal.” Mind you, she does know two folks who are 100.
Ah, wow. Well, there you go!
It sounds like you packed a lot of fun into your short trip.
We sure did. It was different as Mom is no longer able to haul herself up on the cable cars due to her torn rotator cuffs (shoulders extremely painful) however we adapted just fine.
Fabulous that you can travel with your Mom. I have never been to San Francisco so maybe someday.
Oh, Beemie, I do hope you can make it there one day. It is truly one of my favourite cities. Both for the sights and the people.
I think San Francisco is my favorite city. We went there on our honeymoon, and have returned many times since. I was born up the road, in Berkeley, and lived in the area for five years, so maybe that adds to my fondness. What beautiful weather you had this trip! Cannot wait for your book to be finished!
I absolutely love it, too, Lana. I’ve had wonderful experiences there over the years and am so happy that it’s only two hours away. How wonderful for you to have had your honeymoon there! And to have lived in Berkeley. Yes, we were beyond blessed with the weather. It cracked up the day we left.
Charleston SC and San Fran are my two favorite cities with Seattle a close third. I’ve been dying to get back there, but haven’t done it yet. Someday soon I hope!
Ohhhh now I’ve never been to Charleston. One more to add to the bucket list. Thank you, Rena.
I don’t want to talk about me! I’m still basking in the details of YOUR escape with Frankie! What a firecracker your mother is! You’re very lucky to have shared those times together. SF is a good choice, close to my home, too. So happy the respite has revived you both!
Thank you, Michelle. Mom is indeed a firecracker. Her attitude is a wonder. When I comment on how alive she is, she’ll reply “Isn’t every one like me?” Uh. No.
Your mom sounds wonderful! I love SF and get there pretty often, since I live in the Bay area. Way fun place.
You are so blessed to live in the Bay area, Carol. Love it there. Just back from a memoir writing conference and I fell in love with Oakland. Want to spend more time there.
What a precious woman. Sounds like such fun! I am sure that you had a blast together running that shop!
OH we had our moments, Amy. I’m similar to her and yet, I’m not.