Dad

This is a continuation of the Christmas post. My dad was operated on for a broken hip 2 days after his fall. The operation was a success and he was transferred to a rehab facility. He did well in rehab but after three weeks he could still not walk on his own. Because of policies, he was transferred to another facility where he continued with rehab. Unfortunately he got pneumonia while he was there and was transferred to a local hospital where he was placed in ICU. He had pneumonia in both lungs and the hospital gave him antibiotics to try to clear his lungs. Because of his age and weakened immune system, he could not overcome the pneumonia. After over a week of trying, he was transferred to a life care facility where he was given comfort care. My dad passed away on February 27, 2015 with my sister and daughter by his side. He was 92. He leaves a great family including his wife, 6 children, and 13 grandchildren.

From the outside, he may have seemed like an ordinary man who lived an ordinary life but he was so much more. He worked 6 days a week including weekends and a second job to provide for his family. We were in no way rich in money but we were rich in love. Dad was always there for us. I have memories of playing catch and playing baseball at the local field. This was after he put in a full day's work at the factory. I never remember him saying he was too tired even though I'm sure he was tired on some days. And he was the same to all of his children. He always had time for all of us.

As everyone grew up and got married, the grandchildren starting arriving. Dad couldn't have been a more proud grandfather to all of them, Again, he had time for them and I can remember many a cookout at Dad's house with all of the children and grandchildren there running around and playing. And of course "pops" would join in the fun. There were many croquet, baseball and badminton games in the backyard. And Dad loved to go to the beach in Maine to be with his family. He also had time for others too. He delivered the morning paper to neighbors who could not get out. He did this well into his 80's. He took time to visit with them when he could.

As Dad aged, he couldn't do as much but he was still there for us. There were many discussions about his Yankees and the Red Sox. He was well read and had opinions on many subjects. And every Saturday night there was a pitch card game. It was always the men against the women and Dad never was one to win or lose gracefully. If someone in front of him bid 2 or 3, he would often bid one higher even if he didn't have a good hand. He loved to tell the story of how he made 4 on a bare jack. We'll continue to play pitch on Saturday night but it won't be the same without him. Maybe I'll bid 4 on a bare jack in his honor. I probably won't make the bid though. 

So, how do I end this? There are so many more memories and so much I could write about Dad. Last night there was a wake for this "ordinary man". The line extended outside of the funeral home throughout the wake. Everyone that came in to offer condolences said what a great man he was and how we were so lucky to have him as a father and grandfather. We all "rattled the cubes" as he called it with a shot of blackberry brandy. There wasn't a dry eye there as we toasted this husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was so loved by all! Rest in peace Dad. I hope you are enjoying a toast with your brothers and friends in heaven.

Christmas 2014

Christmas day 2014 started out like others in the past. Susan and I got up at a reasonable time, had breakfast and opened each others gifts. Then after noon we went to my sister's house where the rest of the family had gathered. My Mom and dad rode with us. Everyone had a great time. There was plenty of food and the adult beverages were flowing freely. My mom and day enjoyed themselves with all of their children and grandchildren there. We stayed until about 4:30 pm when my mom said they were ready to go home. My om is 91 and my dad is 92 so they tired easily. I drove them home and go out of the car to unlock the door to the house. My dad started getting out of the car also. He has had trouble walking and with his balance but he has got out of my car previously with no problems. I was almost to the door when a big gust of wind came up almost knocking me over. Well, it did knock my dad over and I turned to see him lying on the sidewalk. He was in quite a bit of pain so we thought it was best to call the ambulance to bring him to the hospital to get checked out. After spending 3 hours there and my dad getting x-rays, it was determined he had a broken hip. It's amazing how his life and my family's life was changed from that moment. He was transferred to a larger hospital where he would need an operation on his hip.

Words

There are several words or phrases I have come to dislike. The following is the start of my list:

1. Closure - This isn't new but it's one that I really dislike. What is "closure" anyway? It's usually used in either a crime or death of a loved one. Yes, Mr Smith, we found your daughter's body. We now know what happened to her. You now have closure. Closure? His daughter is still dead. Closure won't bring her back.

2. First responders - This is fairly new. It used to be when there was an accident or a fire or some other event, firemen, police, ambulance personnel etc would be there to help out. But now it's the "first responders". Do we know who they are? It could be a bunch of circus clowns but they're the "first responders".

3. Tweet - This is something just the birds used to do. Now, you're no one unless you "tweet" your every move. There are dozen of followers that are just waiting to see what you had for lunch.

4. Baby Bump - Women don't get pregnant anymore, they get a "baby bump". Especially if you're a celebrity. Ugh!
 

This is just the start. More will be added soon. Add a comment if you have any "un-favorite" words.

Father's day

Fatherhood - One of my best memories of being a father was reading my kids a bedtime story. It was the best way to end the day, laying on the bed and reading them one of their favorite books. Heather had many but the one I remember the most was the story of "Daddy are we lost?". She loved to hear that over and over. Brian had many favorites too. I read "Green eggs and ham" so many times I could recite it without looking at the words. And Erin was the last one I was able to read to at night. She had many favorites too. It was sad when they were all too "grown up" to get a bedtime story but I'll cherish those memories forever.

True story

This will be a short post but it's a true story. It really happened to me.

I was at work one day and it was lunch time. I decided I wanted some chips to go with my usual sandwich. So I went down to the vending machine, put in a dollar, and made my selection. My chips came down and then to my surprise change started coming out of the machine too. One dollar, two dollars... When it stopped, I counted over two dollars in change. Then I realized what has happened.
 "I got money for nothing and chips for free!"

Goodbye 2013

Well, another year has come to a close. And what did we  learn in 2013? We all learned what "twerking" is. Thank you Miley Cyrus. We learned how to "Harlem Shake". And we all know what the fox says. We also learned that congress can't agree on anything but is great on doing nothing. Yes, it was quite a year. The NSA is probably reading this right now along with listening to all of our phone calls. The weather was pretty bad this past year with blizzards, twisters, floods, heat waves and everything else.

More to come....

Summer

Well, another summer has come and gone. It was a fairly good summer. There were a couple of heat waves with many sunny days. I'm not ready to let it go yet though. I still wear shorts almost every day along with short sleeved shirts. And I refuse to wear a jacket unless it's below 40 degrees. I know that it's just a matter of time before I have to bring out the warmer clothes but I'm holding on as long as I can.

Summer has always been special to me. Growing up I'd walk through the woods to the cove on the Ware River where I'd fish for hours at a time. Usually it was just me and my dog Oakey. It was a great place to just get away and reflect on things.

Summer was also a time for baseball. We'd have pickup games at St. Joe's Park almost every day. We didn't belong to a league, there weren't any fans but it was always a fun time. We'd play until we were tired or it was time for dinner.

The ocean has always been a favorite place of mine in the summer. Growing up, going to the beach is the only vacation I can remember. We'd pile in the car early in the morning and head off to Misquamicutbeach in RI. Usually it was my dad and brother. At least that's what I remember. I loved it there! The waves seemed a lot bigger then and I can remember getting tossed around like a wet rag coming up with a mouthful of salt water. Then about 4pm, we'd pack up and head home. It wasn't a fancy vacation at some exotic place but it was always the best.

As I got older, I went to Hampton Beach in NH with my friends. Those were good times! Two of us would get a motel room and the rest would sneak in later. I can remember many days and nights there just laying on the beach or walking around at night.

Later in my 20's I started going to Ocean Park Maine. The first time I went there just about the whole family stayed in one cottage. I don't know how we all fit. There were may mom and dad, sisters and brothers, wives and husbands and Heather, who was 2 at the time. That started a tradition that still goes on. I have to make a trip to Ocean Park at least one time each summer.

So, I say goodby to summer and know that it's just 9 months away to another.