While this trip was occasioned by my dad's passing and the declining health of Kate's sister, in retrospect it turned out to be a wonderful celebration ( Read more... )

My dad passed away peacefully in his sleep early this morning. Linda, my sister, told me that when Mom passed there was still a sense of her presence in the room. She said there was something of Mom’s presence there the other night. When she got to Dad’s house this morning, she said she was completely gone. She believes, and I'm inclined to agree, ( Read more... )

...kinda like the Chinese curse about living in interesting times. We went to California to visit my dad for his 89th birthday, which was last Tuesday. For starters, I thought I had booked a flight for 7:30 am only to find it was for 7:30 pm. Oh well, not that big a deal, though I was sorry to miss a day with my dad. We got into Ontario Airport ( Read more... )

We had a lovely trip - it was really great to see Dad home and happy! On Friday we made a run to California Wine and Cheese in Monrovia to get some Roquefort cheese so I could make him his favorite salad dressing - it's almost impossible to find true Roquefort dressing anymore. Needing a proper meal to serve such a salad, I grilled some steaks ( Read more... )

After over a year in various care facilities, Dad is finally back home!

( Read more... )

Dad turned 88 on Monday. My sister Linda sent me some pictures from his birthday lunch at his favorite restaurant, the Golden Spur on old Route 66 in Glendora, California. The restaurant is almost as old as he is! http://thegoldenspur.net/

( Read more... )

Mom was quite clear that she didn't want a Mass or a service, but she did want one of her oldest friends, Ed Krise, to write her eulogy. Now just how in the heck do you deliver a eulogy without a service? Well, since she was a very active figure in city politics - not actually holding any office but aggressively campaigning for those candidates ( Read more... )

Mom passed away last night, peacefully. My sister and Mom’s caregiver were with her. She said “I want to go now,” and within a few minutes, she was gone.

Last Tuesday we returned from a week in Henderson, NV. We went to visit Vonne & Dick Busey, Kate's sister and brother-in-law. Every time we visit them I find myself rather envious - they have pared down their possessions to fit into a nice little two bedroom condo. Minimalism definitely has its appeal. We keep paring away at our mountains of ( Read more... )

First off, we had a small miracle with my Dad for which I am ever so grateful. His right side has been completely paralyzed and numb since his stroke - no connection at all to his brain. There are drugs that can help, but not until that connection starts to reestablish itself and the neurologist said that could be months, even years. Well, ( Read more... )