Last week my Oma left Buffalo with a group of senior citizens on a trip to Mount Rushmore.

She has been more excited about this adventure than for anything in the last umpteen years. It was her first big getaway since my Opa died in January. She had to fight to secure a seat on the bus because the trip sold out within weeks of being announced.

One of her friends fell ill and turned her spot over to Oma. It was a bittersweet turn of events, but Oma was grateful for her friend’s ticket. (This woman had also recently lost her husband,  so she knew how important the trip was to Oma, who for the last seven years cared for my grandfather 24 HOURS A DAY.)

This Mount Rushmore journey was a BIG DEAL.

Oma and Opa loved to travel together, often times on senior trips. Going without him would be difficult, but empowering. She was thrilled!

I bought her a backpack for her birthday to replace the sad sack she’s been using since Reagan was in office. She immediately declared it her “Mount Rushmore backpack.”

She and the seniors arrived at the park yesterday.

And you guessed it, the place was closed because our government is pigheaded.

I called her today to talk about it. She was in a theater in South Dakota so she had to talk quietly and quickly.

“I’m so sorry about Mount Rushmore,” I said.

“It’s OK Heidi,” she whispered.

“I know. But you were so damn excited about it.”

“Yes I vas, but zay let us take pictures through the bus vindow. I got some good vones. The bad vones vith the vindow frames need to be deleted, but you can show me how to do that vhen I get to Florida.”

“Such a bummer.”

“IT’S OK Heidi. There are vorst things in life,” she said. “I still got to see Crazy Horse and it vas vonderful.”

I love my grandmother’s attitude. I strive for her perspective.

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PS. The Buffalo News ran a story about the senior’s Mount Rushmore bust. Ironically, Oma was really excited about this. “Your parents are saving me a copy for vhen I return.”