So lately I've been on quite of a bit of a reading kick. I've started reading about 5 or 7 books, not sure cuz some are on my kindle. Finished about 2 of them and started reading another. Oh and I also picked up a new book at the grocery store. What? It was only 7 dollars...
One of the ones I've started reading is one I've read before. Its Chicken Soup for the Father and Daughter's Soul. Yeah I'm one of them. I've read quite a few of them. They're great and they're easy reads. I highly recommend them. Anyhow back on topic. This book, if you couldn't tell Chicken Soup for the Father and Daughter Soul is about the relationship and love of a father and daughter. I reminisce about my own memories about my dad.
Now if you know him, he appears gruff, grouchy, and just plain ornery. But that's just the surface. He is really the best man any girl could ask for in a dad. He is loving, kind, funny, and loyal. I wouldn't trade him for all the money, all the jewels in the world. He is priceless. No matter what his daughters get themselves into, he will always try to help the out. He doesn't want to see us fail. One of the nicest things I heard from my dad was said not too many years ago. I had heard that he had said that I have gained and become quite knowledgeable about the store. Well, it was something along those lines...the original comment made me choke up and cry. Was a wonderful thing. For a man like him to say that, a man that doesn't share feelings overly well till recently, spoke volumes.
Another memory is on a little further back...and more a multitude of memorable moments. I love traveling with my dad. He's really laid back. Plus when its just me and him, I feel more comfortable talking to him. There are still some things I don't share with him, in the last 6 or so years, I do share more than what we had when I was a kid and teen.
Dad connected with a couple cousins that he didn't know existed. One, she lived in Florida. Debby and dad really clicked. He went down to visit her back in October 2010. They talked constantly, emailed. Then one day, dad didn't hear from her. I really bothered him. Understandably so. We only found out recently what happened...she died...less that 60, I think she was barely even in her 50s... I don't remember her brother's name, so I'll call him cousin, but dad reconnected with him. Christmas Day he called cousin. He and dad shared an emotionally charged conversation. He was really hurtin' (cousin) that this was his first holiday without his sister. The two men have made plans to get together and meet. Was a wonderful Christmas on that respect. *smile*
I love my dad. I truly, truly dread the day that he is no longer here.. He is a one of a kind man, with a truly kind and generous soul. Doing thing because the NEED to be done, not because they want the attention for doing so. Grandpa raised him well. The world will be a darker place when he is not down the street, not cracking it up at Ace..
Showing posts with label Grampa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grampa. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Holiday Season...
As I read my sister's blog, I am saddened with the uncertainty of her working future. She is one of the strongest women I know. She's a hero to me, the type of person I wouldn't mind being like. I wish that there was something I could do to help her out but her being in Portland and myself being here, well, makes that rather difficult...and my finances are a little strapped currently. My heart and prayers go out to her and her little family that she receives a holiday miracle. Love you sis..
She shared some memories of our childhood, fond memories that I had completely forgotten about. The winter nights we spent up at Topaz with our grandparents. I loved those times. I learned so much from the years we spent there growing up. One being the importance of sunscreen..I received the worst sunburn of my life there. Also the major importance of wearing helmets. Cheryl and I were cruising around the countryside, and we ended up on a rode a little too narrow for our Yamaha Moto4, and down this hill we went. As usual I end up with just scrapes and Cher is the one bleeding. How I managed with no bleeding wounds is still beyond me. Well we manage to walk back to the house and get grandpa and grandma and we get the 4 wheeler back to the property, no worse for wear. I think it fared better than we did. Remember sis?
There was the one Christmas that was the last time my Gramma Jeanne came down. It was wonderful to have her visit. At 7, she was the coolest gramma in the world. Learning more about her over the years as I became an adult myself, she still is an amazing woman. But that's another blog. I want to tell this story but as per usual, I'm not sure how to start it. So I'll just start with that day. It was December 26th. Mom, Cheryl, and I were taking my grandma to the airport so she could fly back to Seattle. Unfortunately the 3 of us didn't make it. (Gramma did, my uncle and aunt got her to the airport.) Right outside of town on McLeod Hill, mom rolled the van we were in. Mom was reaching for something on the dash (yes, she was driving) and drifted onto to shoulder, she over corrected, once, twice hitting that soft gravel yet again but this time it sent the van rolling. We landed tire-side down. It was a miracle that the swerving didn't happen seconds later, because coming up the other side was a hay truck. We would've been mere memories in the lives of the people who knew and loved us. And I was really lucky to walk away with nothing more than seat belt burns. If the rolling had taken place any sooner, I wouldn't be who I am, because I had just sat back down literally seconds before the van ended up upside down. That was almost 22 years ago now.
Good memories of the holidays always included being around family, my grampa in particular, just because I loved (and still do) him so. The first Christmas without him was tough on all of us. He was such a integral part of the festivities, that we were almost lost with out him. He had passed the carving of the ham or turkey on to dad long before but it was his job, as patriarch of the family, to slice the holiday pies. I still think it should be his job, but he is no longer here so that had to be passed to someone. We all take turns.
It brings to mind the Christmas Cheryl fed our old lab Sparkie pecan pie off our dad's china and our grandmother's silver. I did get a picture, tho when I took it I was afraid that it wasn't going to come out since I was laughing so hard. Man, gramma and mom were very very angry! The rest of our family laughed with us, but not those two! Mom laughs about it now, for it is a fond Christmas memory since the dog is no longer with us either..
This holiday is the start of something new too. Since the breakup, I have found someone new. Justin. He's absolutely amazing. Not that Tim wasn't, he was just different. He treats me like I'm something utterly special. I know, I know, cheesy to say, and I am special. Its just nice to be shown so, you know? I know a person can't complete me but I feel great when we are together. He makes me smile just thinking about him.. Like now. (:
If I don't write before the 25th, Merry Christmas to you all. I treasure you in ways that I cannot explain. Thank you for being my friends, my family, my life!
She shared some memories of our childhood, fond memories that I had completely forgotten about. The winter nights we spent up at Topaz with our grandparents. I loved those times. I learned so much from the years we spent there growing up. One being the importance of sunscreen..I received the worst sunburn of my life there. Also the major importance of wearing helmets. Cheryl and I were cruising around the countryside, and we ended up on a rode a little too narrow for our Yamaha Moto4, and down this hill we went. As usual I end up with just scrapes and Cher is the one bleeding. How I managed with no bleeding wounds is still beyond me. Well we manage to walk back to the house and get grandpa and grandma and we get the 4 wheeler back to the property, no worse for wear. I think it fared better than we did. Remember sis?
There was the one Christmas that was the last time my Gramma Jeanne came down. It was wonderful to have her visit. At 7, she was the coolest gramma in the world. Learning more about her over the years as I became an adult myself, she still is an amazing woman. But that's another blog. I want to tell this story but as per usual, I'm not sure how to start it. So I'll just start with that day. It was December 26th. Mom, Cheryl, and I were taking my grandma to the airport so she could fly back to Seattle. Unfortunately the 3 of us didn't make it. (Gramma did, my uncle and aunt got her to the airport.) Right outside of town on McLeod Hill, mom rolled the van we were in. Mom was reaching for something on the dash (yes, she was driving) and drifted onto to shoulder, she over corrected, once, twice hitting that soft gravel yet again but this time it sent the van rolling. We landed tire-side down. It was a miracle that the swerving didn't happen seconds later, because coming up the other side was a hay truck. We would've been mere memories in the lives of the people who knew and loved us. And I was really lucky to walk away with nothing more than seat belt burns. If the rolling had taken place any sooner, I wouldn't be who I am, because I had just sat back down literally seconds before the van ended up upside down. That was almost 22 years ago now.
Good memories of the holidays always included being around family, my grampa in particular, just because I loved (and still do) him so. The first Christmas without him was tough on all of us. He was such a integral part of the festivities, that we were almost lost with out him. He had passed the carving of the ham or turkey on to dad long before but it was his job, as patriarch of the family, to slice the holiday pies. I still think it should be his job, but he is no longer here so that had to be passed to someone. We all take turns.
It brings to mind the Christmas Cheryl fed our old lab Sparkie pecan pie off our dad's china and our grandmother's silver. I did get a picture, tho when I took it I was afraid that it wasn't going to come out since I was laughing so hard. Man, gramma and mom were very very angry! The rest of our family laughed with us, but not those two! Mom laughs about it now, for it is a fond Christmas memory since the dog is no longer with us either..
This holiday is the start of something new too. Since the breakup, I have found someone new. Justin. He's absolutely amazing. Not that Tim wasn't, he was just different. He treats me like I'm something utterly special. I know, I know, cheesy to say, and I am special. Its just nice to be shown so, you know? I know a person can't complete me but I feel great when we are together. He makes me smile just thinking about him.. Like now. (:
If I don't write before the 25th, Merry Christmas to you all. I treasure you in ways that I cannot explain. Thank you for being my friends, my family, my life!
Friday, June 17, 2011
ugh!
As I sit here on my couch on this 17th of June, listening to Sara Evan's newest album Stronger, I think about what has been going on in my mind and in my life. I really feel this album really speaks to my frame of mind and what I'm feeling right now. Such talented people involved in this album. I highly recommend it.
The last few days I have been feeling like crap. Wednesday I ended up with a sore throat and a stuffy nose. The throat was bothering more than the nose. I can deal with a stuffy nose, sore throat is a little tougher to deal with. Today, after going to bed last night at around 8, I feel much much better! Just a slight tickle in the throat and an extremely runny nose. (and no, I am not chasing after it. It can come home when she's ready.)
Emotionally I'm not sure where I'm at. I have been feeling rather lonely, since I have seen Tim only once in the last month. Phone calls yes but not the same. If we lived in different places its more understandable, but we both live here! I miss when we'd hang out on weekends, either just him and I, or him, Megan (his daughter) and I. We haven't done that in a long time either...I've been feeling rather left out of his life. I love him but I don't think that even that is enough to keep me hanging around. I'm going to try and talk to him about it when he gets home from his dad's. That's been bugging me too. His dad has just given up. His health has had good days and bad days. The bad days seem to be outnumbering the good. So his sister and he are going to (hopefully) talk some sense into him. Maybe them being there and it being father's day this Sunday will knock some sense into the old man. I love him, he is such a funny, dear man. I'd hate to see the world without him in it. It would be like losing my own grampa.
Speaking of grandfathers, today is the 11th anniversary of my grandpa's death. Its been a tough day over all, considering everything else going on in my life. Even tho its been over a decade since my family lost him, the pain still feels pretty fresh. You see, he got me in a way that it seemed that no one else did. As a child, I was pretty shy. I think partly because I was the youngest in a fairly well-known family. I was always "somebody's something". Examples, I was "Cheryl's little sister (by teachers and students), Joe and Debby's daughter. So I didn't have much of an identity till I went away to college. Grampa got me. He and I could sit together and not talk but still enjoy each other's company. I loved him more than just about anyone. Even to this day I feel that way. On my seventh birthday, my grandparents got me a Barbie and a stuffed animal. The doll has long since found a new home, but the stuffed animal I still have and cherish. That animal? A little stuffed skunk. At first I wasn't too sure about it but I grew to love it, partly because my grampa gave it to me. Well, every time they would go somewhere, the would try and find me a skunk. My sister's senior trip, she even brought me home a Pepe Le Pew. Still have him too. In 2000, they made another trek to Arizona and yes, they brought me back a little beanie skunk. Unfortunately it was the last one I would receive from my beloved grampa... We lost him June 17th, 2000. One week after my high school graduation that he missed because he was in Washoe. The 22nd, we held services for him. Jim Sanford, former editor of the Mason Valley News delivered a beautiful eulogy. Uncle Johnny gave a nice speech. But the parts that make the biggest impression on me were the people that were there and the way that we ended the church portion on the service. The people, wow, there were a lot. The entire catholic church was filled and there were even people braving the early summer heat by standing outside. And the ending? Take me out to the ball game. He was a huge San Fransisco Giants fan. That was part of the annual trips to Arizona. Giants training camp. As long as I can remember, they never missed a one. It was tough, to watch them put this larger than life man into the ground and forever gone from my sight. Just thinking about this is making me cry. I haven't really thought about the burial part of the funeral for quite a few years..
Yesterday I got to see my dear sisterfriend Jennifer! She and her hubby Aaron came in and got fishing licenses, some tackle and a cooler, in case they caught something. Unfortunately they didn't. But I was super glad to see her!! I miss seeing her..wish we lived closer, or at least had a bit more time to spend together...
My friend Jackie has been in town for a few months now and we have been hanging out together, watching movies, cooking dinners, and just sharing laughter. Telling stories about our past relationships or what man we'd like to with, family members (human and animal) dilemmas and the like. She is currently going back to school to get a degree in the study of the eye. Don't remember exactly what it was but it sounds pretty interesting.
So this is what has been going on with me the last while. Other than no time with Tim, I have been spending more time with dear friends, having fun with them since he doesn't seem to want with me. I love my friends for being there for me. Without them, I don't know where my mental state would be. So a thank you out to all of them!!! You are my rocks!!
This father's day, I am going to Topaz and spending the day with him and our dogs. This will be the first time Bailey has ever gone swimming in a lake. She's been river swimming but this will be interesting to see how she reacts to the lake! I know it will be a good day. Dad and I get along better when we aren't at work..
The last few days I have been feeling like crap. Wednesday I ended up with a sore throat and a stuffy nose. The throat was bothering more than the nose. I can deal with a stuffy nose, sore throat is a little tougher to deal with. Today, after going to bed last night at around 8, I feel much much better! Just a slight tickle in the throat and an extremely runny nose. (and no, I am not chasing after it. It can come home when she's ready.)
Emotionally I'm not sure where I'm at. I have been feeling rather lonely, since I have seen Tim only once in the last month. Phone calls yes but not the same. If we lived in different places its more understandable, but we both live here! I miss when we'd hang out on weekends, either just him and I, or him, Megan (his daughter) and I. We haven't done that in a long time either...I've been feeling rather left out of his life. I love him but I don't think that even that is enough to keep me hanging around. I'm going to try and talk to him about it when he gets home from his dad's. That's been bugging me too. His dad has just given up. His health has had good days and bad days. The bad days seem to be outnumbering the good. So his sister and he are going to (hopefully) talk some sense into him. Maybe them being there and it being father's day this Sunday will knock some sense into the old man. I love him, he is such a funny, dear man. I'd hate to see the world without him in it. It would be like losing my own grampa.
Speaking of grandfathers, today is the 11th anniversary of my grandpa's death. Its been a tough day over all, considering everything else going on in my life. Even tho its been over a decade since my family lost him, the pain still feels pretty fresh. You see, he got me in a way that it seemed that no one else did. As a child, I was pretty shy. I think partly because I was the youngest in a fairly well-known family. I was always "somebody's something". Examples, I was "Cheryl's little sister (by teachers and students), Joe and Debby's daughter. So I didn't have much of an identity till I went away to college. Grampa got me. He and I could sit together and not talk but still enjoy each other's company. I loved him more than just about anyone. Even to this day I feel that way. On my seventh birthday, my grandparents got me a Barbie and a stuffed animal. The doll has long since found a new home, but the stuffed animal I still have and cherish. That animal? A little stuffed skunk. At first I wasn't too sure about it but I grew to love it, partly because my grampa gave it to me. Well, every time they would go somewhere, the would try and find me a skunk. My sister's senior trip, she even brought me home a Pepe Le Pew. Still have him too. In 2000, they made another trek to Arizona and yes, they brought me back a little beanie skunk. Unfortunately it was the last one I would receive from my beloved grampa... We lost him June 17th, 2000. One week after my high school graduation that he missed because he was in Washoe. The 22nd, we held services for him. Jim Sanford, former editor of the Mason Valley News delivered a beautiful eulogy. Uncle Johnny gave a nice speech. But the parts that make the biggest impression on me were the people that were there and the way that we ended the church portion on the service. The people, wow, there were a lot. The entire catholic church was filled and there were even people braving the early summer heat by standing outside. And the ending? Take me out to the ball game. He was a huge San Fransisco Giants fan. That was part of the annual trips to Arizona. Giants training camp. As long as I can remember, they never missed a one. It was tough, to watch them put this larger than life man into the ground and forever gone from my sight. Just thinking about this is making me cry. I haven't really thought about the burial part of the funeral for quite a few years..
Yesterday I got to see my dear sisterfriend Jennifer! She and her hubby Aaron came in and got fishing licenses, some tackle and a cooler, in case they caught something. Unfortunately they didn't. But I was super glad to see her!! I miss seeing her..wish we lived closer, or at least had a bit more time to spend together...
My friend Jackie has been in town for a few months now and we have been hanging out together, watching movies, cooking dinners, and just sharing laughter. Telling stories about our past relationships or what man we'd like to with, family members (human and animal) dilemmas and the like. She is currently going back to school to get a degree in the study of the eye. Don't remember exactly what it was but it sounds pretty interesting.
So this is what has been going on with me the last while. Other than no time with Tim, I have been spending more time with dear friends, having fun with them since he doesn't seem to want with me. I love my friends for being there for me. Without them, I don't know where my mental state would be. So a thank you out to all of them!!! You are my rocks!!
This father's day, I am going to Topaz and spending the day with him and our dogs. This will be the first time Bailey has ever gone swimming in a lake. She's been river swimming but this will be interesting to see how she reacts to the lake! I know it will be a good day. Dad and I get along better when we aren't at work..
Monday, June 6, 2011
memories...
As graduation looms upon us, I think about my own 11 years ago.
My last week is a bit of a blur. Finals taking up most of my week, Friday was the day that me and my friends all looked forward to, for we would be outta there come Saturday. I, like most of my classmates, were ready to get out and move on with our lives. Some starting full time jobs, many off to college. It was a sad event as well as a happy time, for my grandpa was in Washoe Med going on something like day 10. He had broken his neck climbing through the beloved lake house's kitchen window, slipping on the sink. I wonder what might've been had I been there, had he not climbed through the window. Would my life be different? Would I have come back to my home town? What would I be doing instead of this? Would he still be here? These questions have run thru my head possibly millions of times over the last decade, but the answer is always the same...I don't know. God only does, only does He know where my path will lead me.
My plans after high school were to go to college, get my teaching degree so I could teach 2nd grade (because I love kids), meanwhile falling in love with my college sweetheart, after we both graduate, get married, and then start a family a little ways down the road. But those plans changed. I told my dad I would move home after graduation and help him out with my gramma. She was still taking it hard 3 years after Grampa's death. So there went my plans. Also didn't help I was rather annoyed that I had to take advance maths and English to teach elementary school kids. I know, the degree is technically a K-12 degree but still, they should break it down to elementary and middle/high school degrees. But that's another topic all together. So home I came. Renewed some old acquaintances, made some new ones, fell in love.. Many years have gone by. I've lost many loved ones. My Grampa's brother and sister-in-law Uncle Joe and Aunt Annabelle, my gramma, my gramma's brother Uncle Dorman, and my beloved nun aunties, Carolyn and Fidelis. And thats just to name a few. Happiness happed too. I had met my boyfriend Tim, my sister got married to my wonderful brother Jay and they had my beautiful neice Brynn. Now I look forward to the day that I get to have my own kids, whenever that might happen. I hope its sooner rather than later though, I'd really like to be able to chase after them and not be tired when I catch them! hahahahaha
My last week is a bit of a blur. Finals taking up most of my week, Friday was the day that me and my friends all looked forward to, for we would be outta there come Saturday. I, like most of my classmates, were ready to get out and move on with our lives. Some starting full time jobs, many off to college. It was a sad event as well as a happy time, for my grandpa was in Washoe Med going on something like day 10. He had broken his neck climbing through the beloved lake house's kitchen window, slipping on the sink. I wonder what might've been had I been there, had he not climbed through the window. Would my life be different? Would I have come back to my home town? What would I be doing instead of this? Would he still be here? These questions have run thru my head possibly millions of times over the last decade, but the answer is always the same...I don't know. God only does, only does He know where my path will lead me.
My plans after high school were to go to college, get my teaching degree so I could teach 2nd grade (because I love kids), meanwhile falling in love with my college sweetheart, after we both graduate, get married, and then start a family a little ways down the road. But those plans changed. I told my dad I would move home after graduation and help him out with my gramma. She was still taking it hard 3 years after Grampa's death. So there went my plans. Also didn't help I was rather annoyed that I had to take advance maths and English to teach elementary school kids. I know, the degree is technically a K-12 degree but still, they should break it down to elementary and middle/high school degrees. But that's another topic all together. So home I came. Renewed some old acquaintances, made some new ones, fell in love.. Many years have gone by. I've lost many loved ones. My Grampa's brother and sister-in-law Uncle Joe and Aunt Annabelle, my gramma, my gramma's brother Uncle Dorman, and my beloved nun aunties, Carolyn and Fidelis. And thats just to name a few. Happiness happed too. I had met my boyfriend Tim, my sister got married to my wonderful brother Jay and they had my beautiful neice Brynn. Now I look forward to the day that I get to have my own kids, whenever that might happen. I hope its sooner rather than later though, I'd really like to be able to chase after them and not be tired when I catch them! hahahahaha
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day...
In this particular blog posting, I want to say thank you to all that are serving and have served in our military. You have done and are doing a wonderful thing putting your lives on the line for people like me. My grandpas were service men, great grandfather, and some great great great uncles in the Civil war.
Thank you again. God bless you and your families!!
Thank you again. God bless you and your families!!
Friday, May 27, 2011
*sigh*
The end of another work week is almost upon me, one more day and then I get to see my sister-friend Jennifer! Pending nothing goes wrong for us!! So please God if you hear me or if you read this, please!!
Today I also went to the cemetery to place the crosses and astroturf on the great-great uncles graves in honor of Memorial Day. Just like I have every year since I can remember. This year was a little different tho. I took my mom with me. It made it a bit more special since I got to spend this humble time with someone I love. We wandered a bit thru the older part of the cemetery. It was a saddening experience...The weeds that have grown thru there are atrocious. Headstones weren't bad but I would love to see some of them refurbished. It was also sad seeing how many children are buried there. Some months, some days, some even still born with no names. Just "baby of Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so." It was a time that health care and child delivery wasn't great, I know this but its still heart breaking none the less.
After this we went over and visited my grandparents, great-grandparents, and the uncle I never got to know. He is one of the still born children that is buried in our Valley View Cemetery. I miss him. My grampa. Hard to believe that he's been gone almost 11 years. But you know that... I almost cried there today because I used to visit him more regularly after I returned from school..now its so infrequent, I'm ashamed that I don't pay my respects more often..he was a great man..such a big heart and a warm smile. He's a treasure that I hold near and dear to my heart. <3
Today I also went to the cemetery to place the crosses and astroturf on the great-great uncles graves in honor of Memorial Day. Just like I have every year since I can remember. This year was a little different tho. I took my mom with me. It made it a bit more special since I got to spend this humble time with someone I love. We wandered a bit thru the older part of the cemetery. It was a saddening experience...The weeds that have grown thru there are atrocious. Headstones weren't bad but I would love to see some of them refurbished. It was also sad seeing how many children are buried there. Some months, some days, some even still born with no names. Just "baby of Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so." It was a time that health care and child delivery wasn't great, I know this but its still heart breaking none the less.
After this we went over and visited my grandparents, great-grandparents, and the uncle I never got to know. He is one of the still born children that is buried in our Valley View Cemetery. I miss him. My grampa. Hard to believe that he's been gone almost 11 years. But you know that... I almost cried there today because I used to visit him more regularly after I returned from school..now its so infrequent, I'm ashamed that I don't pay my respects more often..he was a great man..such a big heart and a warm smile. He's a treasure that I hold near and dear to my heart. <3
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Grandpa memories...
This time of year always brings back memories for me. Memories of my grampa, probably my favorite person in the world. He got me in a way that no one since has. He has been gone now almost 11 years, and I still miss him like he just left. He and I would spend our friday afternoon before Memorial Day cleaning up his uncles and his parents's graves at the cemetary, preparing for the holiday. To this day I still do it. I can't help it, I feel that its my place and my honor to do so.
As a child, my sister, grandpa, and I would do it, though I didn't understand why. As years went by, Cheryl quit joining us. I'm thinking it was because she had "better things" to do, as she was becoming a teenager. But I continued to do it, even in high school.
Grampa was a World War II veteran, fought in the Battle of the Bulge. I wish I could've learned about his experiences during the war and as a POW, but he never spoke much of it. He was a quiet man, I think thats why I loved him so much. As a child I was really quiet myself, that is unless you knew me pretty well.
Grandpa loved to garden. I mean really loved to. He did have 2 of them.. hahaha One in his backyard, the other at their house at Topaz. He grew just about everything! Tomatoes, melons, strawberries, raspberries, asparagus just to name a few. My favorites were the strawberries and raspberries. In a scrap book that I still have, is a picture of me in the raspberry plants at Topaz. My grandma also told me that one time they found me sleeping underneath the bushes.
Memorial Day weekend was the first official weekend of summer fun at the lake. We would play in the water as long as the weather would hold out. It was also the first offical bbq time of the season. Dad or Grampa would cook burgers and hotdogs, gramma would make salads, cut up berries and veggies, and chips would be put out.
My sister, many cousins, and I spent many happy years up at the lake. Until we lost grampa...that was a tough loss for me. I lost my comrade. He had fallen and broken his neck at Topaz, though it did not kill him, it brought him closer.. He was taken to Washoe Medical and the first night there he was pumped full of pain killers his old body wasn't used to. He didn't remember anyone and that just broke my gramma's heart, his wife of almost 50 years. He spent the last weeks of his life there. Towards the end, he started recognizing faces again. But he never left there alive. One week after my high school graduation, he passed on to the next world.. I cry thinking about it.. he didn't deserve to go in such a manner.
His funeral was attended by many. The church was full, people standing up the sides, even people standing outside in the early summer sun. Many wonderful things were said, I learned some new things about him. But the ending is whats memorable. To end on a happy note, we sang "Take me out to the Ballgame" as he was a huge San Fransisco Giants fan. The funeral director even mentioned that this was the first funeral he did that ended on a happy tone. This was the last funeral he directed. But he's a story for another day...
As a child, my sister, grandpa, and I would do it, though I didn't understand why. As years went by, Cheryl quit joining us. I'm thinking it was because she had "better things" to do, as she was becoming a teenager. But I continued to do it, even in high school.
Grampa was a World War II veteran, fought in the Battle of the Bulge. I wish I could've learned about his experiences during the war and as a POW, but he never spoke much of it. He was a quiet man, I think thats why I loved him so much. As a child I was really quiet myself, that is unless you knew me pretty well.
Grandpa loved to garden. I mean really loved to. He did have 2 of them.. hahaha One in his backyard, the other at their house at Topaz. He grew just about everything! Tomatoes, melons, strawberries, raspberries, asparagus just to name a few. My favorites were the strawberries and raspberries. In a scrap book that I still have, is a picture of me in the raspberry plants at Topaz. My grandma also told me that one time they found me sleeping underneath the bushes.
Memorial Day weekend was the first official weekend of summer fun at the lake. We would play in the water as long as the weather would hold out. It was also the first offical bbq time of the season. Dad or Grampa would cook burgers and hotdogs, gramma would make salads, cut up berries and veggies, and chips would be put out.
My sister, many cousins, and I spent many happy years up at the lake. Until we lost grampa...that was a tough loss for me. I lost my comrade. He had fallen and broken his neck at Topaz, though it did not kill him, it brought him closer.. He was taken to Washoe Medical and the first night there he was pumped full of pain killers his old body wasn't used to. He didn't remember anyone and that just broke my gramma's heart, his wife of almost 50 years. He spent the last weeks of his life there. Towards the end, he started recognizing faces again. But he never left there alive. One week after my high school graduation, he passed on to the next world.. I cry thinking about it.. he didn't deserve to go in such a manner.
His funeral was attended by many. The church was full, people standing up the sides, even people standing outside in the early summer sun. Many wonderful things were said, I learned some new things about him. But the ending is whats memorable. To end on a happy note, we sang "Take me out to the Ballgame" as he was a huge San Fransisco Giants fan. The funeral director even mentioned that this was the first funeral he did that ended on a happy tone. This was the last funeral he directed. But he's a story for another day...
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