Family

At the Cemetery

The cold wind the day of the funeral blew in ice and snow for the next day. However, the following afternoon was mild and sunny with a clear blue sky, so we decided to make a trip out to the cemetery. After the military honors the other day, the military cemetery performed the burial in […]

Dad’s Funeral

Preparing for almost 2 weeks seemed like an agonizing wait. Then suddenly, the day came for dad’s funeral. The visitation the night before was a small gathering of good friends. Among them were my sister’s best friend from high school and some close friends of mine who also came from out of town. It was […]

Waiting and Preparing

After my dad’s death, there was almost 2 weeks before his funeral. During that time, my brothers, sister, nephew and his wife spent the majority of time at the house with me and my mom. My sons, daughter in law and grandkids stopped by from time to time, and we video chatted with my sister […]

Home To God

My dad spent a couple of days in the hospital as the doctors did their best work. They and the nurses were so empathetic and caring. The neurologist was the same one who saw my dad 2 years ago when he had the stroke. He was an amazing, compassionate person who had honest, yet difficult, […]

Spiritual Perspective

My dad had been declining since his big fall on Friday. He ended up back in the ER yesterday. This afternoon I had a conversation with the doctor about decisions that will need to be made regarding his care once we see if or how much he may recover. After our talk I had to […]

Close Family Close

As my mom and drove down our street this morning, we met my daughter in law at the stop light just by chance. She was heading to my the school. My mom spotted her before I did. We talked about how it is still surprising to see her here. And to be in the same […]

Positive Resolutions

My mom and I made it up to see my dad this afternoon. He looked pitiful but got in a chuckle or a smile every now and again. I spoke with the director, caregivers, and his PCP. I was surprised to learn that by law the doors to the courtyards must remain unlocked at all […]

Another Painful Experience

It’s been a rough couple of days. On Friday afternoon, I was able to finally get my COVID booster. Planning ahead, my sister was coming to stay with my mom and I for the weekend. It had just started to snow when she left for her normal 1 1/2 hour drive. Just as my mom […]

Guardian Angels

This morning I was thinking about my dad’s care, which I often do. I still hope for that perfect answer. I was wishing there could be someone whose only task is to look out for him 24/7. Of course, I know God is. So is his guardian angel. I have a pill reminder app on […]

The Baptismal Gown

Tonight out of the blue, my mom asked if I knew where the Baptismal gown was. The beautiful garment was hand made by my dad’s Aunt Jane. My 4 siblings and I were all Baptized wearing the gown, along with 9 of my cousins and my 2 sons. There could have been more. The last […]