Yep, been a long time ( Read more... )

Today would have been my Grandpa's 101st birthday. This time last year we had a blast with family from all over the country coming in to help him celebrate. We then got together with him at Christmas when he did surprisingly well and thoroughly enjoyed his time with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Then in February we got together ( Read more... )

I left Marion yesterday early afternoon to make my way to Durham to stay with dan4behr and his lovely husband Brian for a couple of evenings before I fly to Texas on Saturday. They have been gracious to open their house and ply me with enough Jim Beam to take the edge off the past several days - a much needed diversion. Much as I have enjoyed their company ( Read more... )

The funeral went about as expected. My uncle went on way too long and did wind up with a "you need to come to Jesus or you will never see Grandma and Grandpa again" statement. I just looked at him and smiled, then sang the closing hymn, "Blessed Assurance" by heart, out loud where most of the church could hear it was me singing. I know they could ( Read more... )

"It" being the funeral. Not due to my grandpa by any means. I went with my aunts late today as they were not satisfied earlier with how Grandpa's hair looked in the casket and they wanted to make sure that the funeral home had re-done his hair "right". He actually looked good - had a peaceful look on his face, but my gosh he really had wasted down ( Read more... )

Grandpa is still hanging in there. In fact he rallied a bit on Thursday, woke up and wanted something to eat and drink. His swallow reflex had come back so he drank two Pepsi colas and ate ice cream, applesauce, a scrambled egg and gravy. He was cognizant and talking to people, however he then later became agitated and had to be sedated as his ( Read more... )

Welcome to this world, Owen Mayer Smith...


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I received word yesterday that Grandpa has entered the end stage of his life and will likely pass in the next day or so, so I am expecting I will be flying to NC for a funeral likely by the weekend from the sound of things. My emotions are all over the place on this. On one hand, Grandpa has lived a LONG life, 100 years and 7 months. Up until the ( Read more... )

Actually the day after Christmas ( Read more... )

Christmas Eve, we traditionally have a big dinner that includes my immediate family, my dad's sister and all her family, and in the past both my grandparents, Combined with grandchildren and such, it was a total of 18. I made lasagna this year along with salad and garlic bread. Aunt Becky made her red velvet cake, and Mom made her German chocolate ( Read more... )