The things we do, the places we go, and the people we meet -- all in this adventure of childhood, parenthood, and familyhood.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Pearly whites!
(The event depicted in this blog originally occurred on Friday January 6th, 2008. All people in this blog are real.)
We are so fortunate to have a wonderful dental hygienist in our family! Our GreatAunt Patti made it so easy for the boys to have their teeth cleaned for the first time. She let them explore the office, the tools, and even the electrical equipment. In the end it made everyone more comfortable to have their very 1st dental check-up!
I posted this already on the site for my Grandparents - but wanted to post it here as well. In case you don't know my family - my Grandparents had six children (some are mentioned below): Gene, Dory, Kaye (my Mom), Patti, Mark, and Steven.
Shelly
Family & Friends,
Thank you so much to those of you who could join us on Saturday for Grandpa's funeral.
It was such a tender and honest memorial to a man who touched so many people's lives.
We met as a family - after the morning viewing - to say our goodbyes. Gene led us in a family prayer which put our hearts at rest.
The meeting was started with a song, sung by a dear friend of Grandpa's, Simon Bolivar. It was soft, yet powerful and set a nice tone for the meeting.
Steven gave the invocation. It was moving to watch him as he signed - his hands gently asking for comfort for the grieving and guidance for the speakers. It would have been apparent what he was saying by the very movements of his hands, face, and body and was confirmed by the words his wife Krista relayed.
Mark spoke next reflecting on the moments from Grandpa's life that he might want us to remember. Mark was humorous and sweet - and included many traits of Grandpa that had us all laughing and crying. It was tender to see him read his notes, smile with a memory, and then share those thoughts through his own tears and laughter.
Patti followed Mark reflecting on the life that Grandpa led. She touched on three things that she knew he would want remembered: 1) his love for Grandma, 2) his love of family and, 3) his unbelievable work ethic. She was right when she said that Grandpa 'would get as close to people as they would let him'.
The speaker portion of the program paused as we were treated to the amazing talent of Sarah(Mark's daughter). Playing Grandpa's favorite song, Clair de Lune, she guided our minds to experiences we had with him.
After Sarah we were treated - and I do mean treated - to remarks by Grandpa's younger brother Garth. Garth and Grandpa were the best of friends growing up, a bond that continued through their life. Garth touched on the man he knew, and the gospel that Grandpa cherished.
We sang as a congregation - a song which include the fitting lyrics - 'When such a friend from us departs, We hold forever in our hearts a sweet and hallowed memory'.
Doug(Patti's husband) closed the meeting and prepared us all to let go of Grandpa at his burial.
Below is the life story video that was played at Grandpa's viewings. It is eight minutes long so if you want to watch it, pull up a chair and relax.
Thank you again for all your words, letters, calls, and shows of love. He was truly an amazing man, one who will be missed.
The other night during dinner the boys really wanted to talk to Goosey (my grandma). Knowing that she wasn't available for comment I had the boys make a video message for her.
This is for you Goosey! We miss you - we love you - and we'll see you soon!
At 2:20am this morning my Grandpa, Robert 'Bob' Walker, passed away.
Many of you know that 'Pa Bob' (that's what the boys call him) has struggled with his health over the last two months. I've blogged about it a lot on this site. We thought he had reached a major positive turning point when he was able to come home this past Tuesday.
His body just wasn't ready for the move from the hospital and on Thursday my Grandma called 9-1-1 and he was readmitted to the ICU. My Mom and Aunt Patti flew up on Friday to be with my Grandma. The Doctor was cautiously optimistic that he would, again, turn things around. They even took out the ventilator they had put him on.
This morning my Grandma received a call from the hospital saying that they needed to intubate him again, but that he was refusing. This was his wish and my Grandma relayed that to them. The nurse then suggested that she come down to the hospital. She woke my Mom and Patti up and they joined her at the hospital.
My Grandpa was awake and very coherent. He and my Grandma shared their quiet goodbyes. He said 'Things are taken care of Joyce". She said, "Yes they are Bob. You know that. We've been through everything." He nodded. He told Mom and Patti that he loved them and that he loves his family. He asked Patti to say a prayer. After the prayer he slowed his breathing, closed his eyes, shuddered, and was gone.
My Mom said that it was very peaceful and about as good as you could want a passing to be.
I absolutely adore my Grandparents. My Grandpa has been like a 2nd Father to me - coming to events in my life, teaching me lessons about love and spirit, and showing me love at every moment. I cannot even say how much I will miss him or how my heart feels with this loss.
Yet at the same time I am so glad he is done with the fight and done with the pain.
We will be going to Utah sometime this week for the funeral on Saturday - and it will be great to have time with my family to celebrate my Grandpa.
Wish I'd Known That #2,476: Home Depot sells toilet augers for less than $20.
Yesterday I called my Aunt Patti, who was with my Grandma at the hospital waiting to talk to my Grandpa's doctor. I figured they would need a laugh - so I told them the story I am about to tell you. But first let me back up in time...
On August 18th, 2007 Eric and I paid $190 for a pair of underwear. I know, you are all thinking we were trying something new in our 'Special Mommy & Daddy time'. Nope. The underwear looked like this:
Yep. Potty pants. My friend and former co-worker Kim had given us some wonderful cotton potty training pants. And they've been great. So on August 18th we were right in the midst of potty training - you might remember this entry. Well on that fateful day we ended up having to call the plumber at Rescue Rooter to fish those unders out after Will had flushed them down.
Lesson learned right?
Nope. Not quite.
Now let's move back in time again...
Yesterday was one of those days as a parent that makes me start searching both Craigslist for anyone interested in buying two kids and Monster for a new job.
The climax of the events was running, in what felt like slow motion, down the hall as I heard the start of the toilet flushing. Walker had an accident so I was hurrying to clean up his room (it was nap time) of the mess - having put him in the bath to rinse off some of the mess (see you are getting the scope of what my day was like aren't you!!). Well I made the mistake of thinking that with Walker in the tub and Will by my side that the unders would be safe in the toilet until I could rinse them.
Boy was I wrong.
So last night, at 10pm, the friendly plumber arrived again and we purchased our second pair of $190 underwear. By this time I've just decided on community college for the kids since I'm slowly emptying their college savings to pay the plumber.
What I wish I would have known was provided by my Grandma, who sweetly mentioned via email that she loved my story, it made her laugh, and (in her words):
I think you should invest in a $14.95 snake at Home Depot to fish those pants out of the toilet. I had one that used to work in most cases. Only a few required major help.
Wish I'd Known That
Pssst - No one dare mention that throwing the underwear out would have been a cheaper option too. I, unfortunately, became aware of that as I was typing this post. I am now going to go drown my sorrow in a bowl of sugar free, Weight Watcher approved, ice cream.
