In Memory

Our Rottweiller, Sasha has been sick for some time now. Since August, we have tried different things to diagnose and treat her. After the holidays, we went to a specialist that thought she may have cancer. To do the test, it was a lot of money and would be very hard on her. If it were cancer, she probably would have three months.

This past weekend, Sasha started having problems holding food down. Yesterday she started showing problems walking. Today, it was decided to put her down. It was not fair to see her digress and suffer.

We will miss you Sasha. We had you a such a short time.

Another Year

It's been seven years since Gary left us. Although it does not hurt as often, the pain is still there. When I feel it, it's as bad as the first day without him. I still miss him.

In Loving Memory

Sadly, Gary's Aunt Janet passed on Monday. For a long time she has battled MS. She was a great lady and will be missed dearly, but suffers no more.

Never Forget

The day that changed America forever.


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Birthday Comments

Fishy

Poor Fishy left us today. He had a nice porcelin bowl funeral. Elijah took it much better than I thought. We had him 3 1/2 years -- not too bad. The internet said most live 2 years.

In Loving Memory

I found out that Gary's Uncle Ray passed away on June 12. He was not ill, so his passing was quick. He had been married to Gary's Aunt Delores for 62 years. There's a memorial service tonight. I did not know him well, but he was always very kind. Peace be with you.

Wow

While I was at work, I received a "CNN Breaking News" alert. It said that Heath Ledger was found dead in his apartment. I have to admit that I started gasping in disbelief. Now let me clarify that I did not rush out to see all of his movies, but I liked him the ones I did see. I was more in shock with his age: 28 and the fact that he has a toddler: 2. For not knowing the guy, I felt like I was kicked in the gut because I know what his family is going through and I know how sad it is for his daughter. Death of someone before their time is tragic, it's sad. My heart goes out to his family and all of those families that have had to say goodbye to their loved ones too soon.

MLK

I have to share my son's view of MLK Day. Last week I picked him up from school and on the way home he asked me if I knew who's birthday was on Monday. He then went on to say that it was "a man that went to jail for standing up for another person and all he wanted was for things to be fair and he had a dream, and someone shot him. Why did someone shoot him?" I was very touched but also very unprepared for a deep conversation like this. What a little man.

In Loving Memory

Today my Aunt Lib passed away. She has had some health issues over the years, but the last few months have been very difficult. Although it is sad that she has left us, she is in a better place and I'm sure she is having a wonderful reunion with my grandmother (her sister), as well as all of her loved ones that left us before her. I wish her peace.

D-Day Has Returned

It's that dreadful day that I don't enjoy. This year the days of the week patterned returned to the way it was the year Gary left us. It's been a weird week. Howard Jones keeps playing on my satellite radio. The other day I changed the channel and it was on the next channel. When I decided to pick new stations, I was treated to music that Gary used to play on the guitar. I don't know if he was sending me a message. I asked him is he was, but got nothing. I thought it held it together pretty good. Tonight I'm sitting back drinking a bottle of wine and reflecting on what was and is. I hope you had a pleasant thought of Gary today. Again I invite you to share a story . . .


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If you can, please do

I received the annual TKE Foundation report. I am delighted to tell you that Gary's memorial scholarship is almost at the minimum level to start awarding a scholarship to members in Gary's chapter. Currently the fund is at $3,247.63 (it earns interest). $5K is needed to start awarding the fund. If you are able to give anything: $10, $25, anything, please donate in honor of Gary. Any donation to the foundation is 100% tax deductible. You can mail in a donation or make a secured donation with a credit card online. Thank you. A link to do this online is at the top of this blog.

We Miss You Gary!

If you didn't know, today is Gary's birthday. I found this poem online and thought I would share:

Birthdays Do Not End with Death
Birthdays do not end with death,
But last as long as love,
A maelstrom of memories
That grace and honor move.

And so we celebrate your day
By visiting your grave,
A place that you have left long since,
But is all that we have.

Dear spirit, come and join us here,
Your loved ones by your stone!
Come sweep across the barrier
To claim us as your own!

Happy birthday, dearest one!
Oh, happy, happy day!
Not even the most bitter night
Can take this joy away!

One year later

It was a year ago that my sister-in-law lost her battle with breast cancer. Although we were not close when she passed, we have a long history together that dates back to junior high school (most now call it middle school). I wish we could have had that last conversation, but I will always remember what a great time we had at a fellow classmate's wedding reception. I found this poem on the Internet. The home page indicates: "There are over 1500 poems here, many written for special occasions, which you are free to use for any personal or non-commercial purpose."

One Year Ago You Died, and Still We Mourn by Ludwig Senfl
One year ago you died, and still we mourn,
Nor will our mourning end till it be night,
Even as time turns our tears to light
Years hence, when this may be more easily borne.
Each moment of your passion and delight,
As clear as sunshine, bountiful and bright,
Remains our fortune now that you are gone.

A Moment to Remember

I have to admit that I have not been as political over the years, as I used to be. However, when I heard of President Ford's death, I knew that being in Michigan, I had an opportunity that I did not have before and probably would not have again. Yesterday, I took Elijah to the Gerald R. Ford Library in Ann Arbor to sign the condolence book. Even though he didn't understand what he was doing when he wrote his name down, I thought it would be something he would appreciate later in life. Years ago, Gary and I went to Grand Rapids for a mountain bike race. I remember dragging him to Gerald R. Ford Museum. He was kicking and screaming a little at first, but once we were there, I know he enjoyed it.

D-Day . . . Bad Day

Today's D-Day where most are membering Pearl Harbor. I remember it is a bad day. I was kind of emotional today. I was ready to burst into tears at any moment, but I held it together. A few people I work with that Gary and I knew, remembered what day it was. Not much else was said. Thanks for those who remembered, I still can't believe it's five years later.

The Day Before

Well, tomorrow is the day . . . it will be 5 years since Gary passed. I can't believe it is has been that long. In some ways it feels like yesterday. I try not to dwell on it, but I still miss him very much. I thought it would get easier, but the only thing that gets easy is that I don't think about it everyday. I'll probably be okay tomorrow since over the last few years, the day before has been worse (thanks to anxiety over the day coming). I only ask that you take a moment to remember him. Think of a funny story, or something he did that made you smile. I would absolutely love it if you would post a comment about what you remember. You don't have to create a log in, just post as anonymous (but put your name in the text, so I know who you are). I would also ask that you cherish your loved ones tomorrow. Give them and extra hug, kiss, and tell them how you feel about them. You never know what tomorrow holds . . .

We'll Miss You Bo!

What started a fun rivalry between myself and my co-workers in Ohio, ended a sad day for college football history. Bo Schembechler was a coach I first heard about in high school. Our football coach was a Bo fanatic. Then I went to Michigan, sure it was in Dearborn, but I had football tickets! It's sad to know he's gone, but I hope the team has the momentum to bring it home for Bo! Go Blue!

In loving memory

reAfter coming back from Lexington, I was told that Uncle Nick passed away. He has been a part of our family ever since I can remember. Uncle Nick was a companion of my grandmother and a dear family member to all of us. Yesterday was a visitation/memorial. We will all miss you Uncle Nick, the Greek!

Thank You

Let's see how may titles I can pull from Led Zeppelin songs . . . LOL

Today I received my annual review. It was awesome! I cannot tell you how different it was from last year. I am so grateful for having a boss that truly appreciates hard work. The way I feel about my job today is a complete 180 degree turn from last year. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I also wanted to share a story from the past. It is in memory of my sister-in-law who passed away. She battled breast cancer for almost two years. Long before she was my sister-in-law, she was my friend from junior high school. There was this time that I stayed over night at her house. We managed to sneak out . . . We thought we were slick. So, we get out of the house and you would think we have some big plans, right? No, we end up walking around and hanging out in a parking lot! Back then, though, we thought we were something! Climbing back in that window was a $&%#@, but we did it! The really funny thing is that a couple of weeks later, she snuck out, but since no one was staying over, her mom came to see what all the noise was a caught her! I really gave her heck about that!