Parents Die

It is a fact of life. But, being logical about it doesn’t make it easier.

Dear Jamie Sue lost her Dad June 20th. He was 95. A dynamic sailor, captain of a man. And my sorrow for his passing is wrapped around my own sorrow for my dad’s passing. Their passings were dignified and gentle. And we are truly blessed knowing that. But, it is a passing into a new life with spaces left in the fabric of our own lives that is troublesome. I am not sure that space will be filled. But the hole will be remembered.

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My Niece Plays Incredible Percussion

Well, I am cheap, so I am not willing to pay to upgrade and add video, sorry. Will try Facebook… I had the pleasure of watching my niece’s Junior Recital this last weekend. It was awesome. She is a very talented musician. It wasn’t a flawless performance. But that is the whole point. She didn’t have to do a Junior Recital. It is voluntary. And it was a great performance experience. The food spread afterwards for the reception was also exceptional. My sister-in-law creates an awesome spread.

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Wreath for Dad

Fort Sam has done some restoration. Dad’s headstone looks reset. A few little chips on top. Happy holidays to Dad. You are missed.

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Parkinson’s

Our friend Casey recently passed away (died). And she had Parkinsons.

I never much cared for Michael J. Fox. But he too has Parkinsons. And he has become an incredibly active voice for Parkinsons sufferers.

“Your happiness grows in direct proportion to your acceptance and an inverse proportion to your expectations. It’s really about acceptance.” –Michael J. Fox

That is a quote from a Larry King Live interview and OMG how true is that? These are words to live by. And I see an inverse direction in our beloved country. It saddens me terribly. Instead of teaching tolerance and acceptance and a concern for our fellow citizens, there seems to be an increase in “What’s in it for me” and I am not paying for caring for “them”.

Well, sooner or later, caring for “them” is us. “Caring for us.” Let us take care of each other as was taught to us by Jesus. Let us have a lot more of living by the teachings of Jesus and a lot less of the intolerance that is taught to us by our institutions.

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Nate Has Arrived

How is it that a four-year-old can predict the gender of a baby 3 months into pregnancy? I was figuring it was a guess… but, Nathaniel Alan Brody came into the world today. And the world is a better place for it. We are an extended family enveloped in huge joy. Welcome Nate! I am deeply in love already.

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Noah-isms

News from the bay area:

Driving to school today, Noah commented,  “The sun follows us all the days.”  [Translation – the sun follows us all the time]
I added my two cents, “The moon does too….cool, eh?”
Noah – “Yes.  We must be pretty special.”
Indeed.  Totally tickled me to think that in Noah’s mind we have our own solar and lunar escorts.

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Update on Jim

He is allowed to go up stairs and walk around the block. Good news as he is very bored. The cardiologist performed an angiogram and there will be another test next week. All to determine the right way to proceed.

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My Brother Had a Heart Attack

There I said it. The phone call to my sister was probably the hardest phone call my sister-in-law has ever had to make — except for maybe calling my mom.

Jim was golfing. It is one of his favorite things to do. He started feeling really, really lousy. One of his buddies had nitroglycerin on him and put it under Jim’s tongue, then called 911. Jim actually flat-lined in the ambulance. A shunt was put into one of his arteries that was 100% blocked.

He is home, very tired and resting a lot. He will have a least one more surgery for the other blockages.

Today is my brother’s birthday. And he is very lucky to be alive. And I am very grateful that he is still with us.

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It Is a Good Day

It is my birthday. And I woke up to a dog as eager to go downstairs as any child on Christmas morning. After 3 days of 3-legging-it watching an active, eager healthy dog greet the day was as much as one can wish for. And on coming home, Rob had mowed the subdivision entrance. It truly is a day full of delightful surprises!

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Vote for Petey!

Petey, Cutest Dog on the Planet!

A vote for Petey is a vote for all of the stray, dumped boxers and pit bulls that have been abandoned and are deserving of forever, loving homes. There can’t be a cuter dog on the planet than a dog that has come from being dumped, starved, full of heart worms, tape worms, hook worms and flea ridden to being a dog beloved by my mother — you have to know my mother to understand how absurd it is to think that there is a dog that could jump up in her lap and lick her on the face and illicit a laugh. Spread the word — vote often!!! 

http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=5843118465FDD31C058126B286498180

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