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Sunday, April 27, 2008
A story from Grampa's funeral
Its Sunday and I am still pretty tired from the two day funeral...
Catholics sure know how to make a funeral seem like a week long event!
I have a bunch of stories to tell about the two days but I am still kinda tired... My house is starting to get empty again... Collin just left to go back to Arizona to school, Pam [Sam's Cousin and her grandson Corey] just left also...
So I think I will tell you a story and then take a nap...
After we had the rosary at the church, we were visiting with friends...
One of them was a school friend of Sam's named Dennis
[they attended the catholic school together... and Sam made altar boy of the year at this same church]
so anyway... I asked Dennis "when did they put the baptism bath up by the altar?"
[It was a baptism bath made for adults! The thing must have been 5ft by 4 ft ... marble and filled with water]
So he explained the story behind it... etc...
See the baptism bath use to be a small round tub used for both adults and babies... and it was never on the altar it was in the back of church, and brought up to the altar during ceremonies...
Anyway, it was a trip to see this huge marble water filled bath on the altar...
The next day after giving my speech for Dad... we were having food at the celebration of life for Clancy in the reception hall at the church when my son Kameron came up to me and hugged me
"Mom you did a really great job up there saying that speech for Grampa"
"Awww Kameron thank you, I was so nervous... did you see my legs shaking?"
"No, but I could tell you were nervous...
I was saying a prayer you didn't fall into the Jesus Jacuzzi!"
slyracing1 at 12:04:03 PM PDT
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Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A Grampa funny from the 1950's
I just had to share this with you all...
Grampa was the pilot for the U.S. Ambassador to India for 4 years after the Korean War...
I am going through some of Grampa's stuff to make a memory poster thing and I came across a cocktail party invitation that said this...
In the corner in handwriting by Grampa it says "We shook the Embassy up with this invitation. Another GREAT party!"
Then a letter attached to it says...
___________________________________
Thought Id send you a copy of party invitation that shook up the Charge de Affairs.
[Asst. Ambassador Mr. Moffit]
He called us before the carpet and proceeded to tell us that the diplomatic corps just don't send 'brash' invitations to diplomats. He then told us that we should use more 'tact' in the future
So two years later we sent out another one... It couldn't be that bad, because the Ambassador and the Naval Attache extended me for a 2nd tour...
Incidentally, Mr. Moffit showed up for both parties!!
___________________________________
OK here is the invitation:
To Bid Farewell to our one and only gal
Miss Dorothy J. Allen
[secretary- the players club]
The Broken Hearted Bachelors
[she just wouldn't say yes]
Doc Ohara, Clancy Silva, Gunny Bird, Garry Garrison
request the pleasure of your company
____________________________
AT A COCKTAIL PARTY
on Saturday 28th of September 1957
Uniform for the evening
Ladies - Preferably Bikini's
[Late Monsoon Expected]
Guys - Hells Bells, Anything
RSVP- Ain't necessary cuz we XPEKCHA
OK.. is that funny or what?
Party Invitation #2
Hear Ye Hear Ye
He's off to the Dakota's
Among Tumbleweeds and Gophers
Where the jackrabbits Prowl
and Coyote Howl
COME SPEAK SAYONARA
to the departing Player of Playerettes
HARRY "RADAR NOSE" GARRISON
Place: Players Meeting Wigwam [Clancy's]
Date: Saturday, March 14, 1959
Commencing: 2031 [PCT]
Securing: Hells Bells, Sunrise Plus
Attire: Suspenders and Garters
RSVP
Ain't necessary XPEKCHA
slyracing1 at 12:54:48 PM PDT
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Monday, April 21, 2008
Thank you
I just wanted to say Thank You for all the condolence emails and words written in journals... We are so blessed to have all of you in our lives!
[Thank you Russ, Sam got your email]
You know I was just sitting outside in the backyard watching the dogs chasing birds and it reminded me of Grampa... He use to go outside in my backyard and sit for hours, soaking up sunshine, reading the paper, and just being...
I'd bring him his coffee
"Here you go Dad, just like you love it...'Steaming Hot just like your woman'" it was a running joke in the family... and no matter how many times I said it he always laughed!
As a matter of fact 2 days before he died, Sam and I went to Starbucks. We were sitting there at Dad's bed side and then Sam said "I'm sorry Dad, I'm teasing you with this coffee aren't I? Do you want some?" he shook his head yes!
So I poured some in a smaller cup and dipped a teaspoon in to feed it to him.
I was so worried I would burn him with it... Damn the spoon was hot to me!
Then Dad says "Hotter" I should have known! "Do you want it hotter Dad?" and he shook his head yes... We laughed... So I went to the microwave and heated it up. "Here you go Dad, Steaming Hot just like your woman" and he smiled a little...
Lisa told a funny story to us while we were there... About 2 weeks ago, Lisa and her husband were visiting with Dad. Suddenly Grampa wanted a beer at 10am! So Lisa ran to the store at 10am and bought a couple of beers. Then Lisa came back and said "Here ya go Dad, Jim is going to have a beer with you too" Jim shot her a look... as if to say I am not having a beer at 10 am!
She said "Yes, you are... your having a beer with Dad... be grateful he didn't want Scotch!" and Jim drank the beer with Grampa!
I then told Lisa a story about me and Grandpa going to the high desert house one day to check on something... when we were returning home... Dad wanted me to stop at the 7-11, he wanted a beer
[the beer thing is funny because Grampa has never been a beer drinker... its rare for him to drink one]
So I stopped and he bought 1 beer, wrapped it up in the brown paper bag and drank it in the car on the way home like a seasoned wine-o or something!
She cracked up...
Remember when he broke his hip a few months ago and after surgery he wanted a 'scotch sandwich' "What is a scotch sandwich Dad?" "Valentines Scotch between two ice cubes" like we should have know that!
[Now... I'll have you know... in the 24 years Grampa has been in my life.. I have NEVER seen the man drink Scotch!
Harvey Bristol Cream yes... Scotch No...]
slyracing1 at 10:03:00 AM PDT
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Sunday, April 20, 2008
Going through Grampa pics and thought I would share
slyracing1 at 6:31:01 PM PDT
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Grampa
Grampa is in heaven now... 9am this morning [Sunday]
He had a smile on his face when he left...
I will miss him...
Thank you everyone for the thoughts and prayers!
slyracing1 at 2:50:04 PM PDT
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Saturday, April 19, 2008
Saturday Grampa Update
The hospice book says a person may have a surge of energy before passing.
I believe he had that yesterday.
[Plus your prayers truly helped too...]
Grampa was more talkative than the day before... Maybe talkative is not the right word... Lets see how can I put it? Okay... Grampa seemed to be in this world with us a little bit more than in the other world with his Momma...
Sam asked him if he would like some ice cream... We thought he would say no because he has difficulty swallowing... but Grampa shook his head yes...
[Grampa has always LOVED his sweets... at his house there is always a drawer full of cracker jacks and candy bars. He also LOVES those little cokes in a bottle! You'd think with his love of sweets he would have dentures.. but I am happy to report Grampa at 84 years old has ALL his own teeth! Amazing huh!]
So...Sam's sister Lisa rushed out and bought Grampa some vanilla ice cream... he LOVED it! He actually said "tastes good"! Whoo Hoo... He also told our daughter Candice he loved her and goodbye the night before...
She said she lost it when she got in her car...
Anyway... after Grampa ate his ice cream [about 6 teaspoons] Sam sat next to his bed and said "Hey Dad... I gotta tell ya about a crazy dream I had the other night...
I took the Pope to a motocross race with me"
Grampa smiled... he thought that was funny.
He kept trying to talk to us but he just doesn't have the energy to do it.
Sam told him "Dad, I know you want to visit and talk with us, we know your tired of laying in this bed, we know your trying really hard but your body is not co-operating"
Grampa shook his head yes.
"We know Dad, We know that you love us all, just try to relax there is nothing you could say that we don't already know Dad, We love you too, Just try to relax, we are here with you" Grampa shook his head yes.
Today... Saturday he is not drinking water, he is not talking [so to speak]
Last night the nurse gave him a sedative because it seemed like Grampa was having an anxiety attack because he couldn't breathe [even tho he is on oxygen]
Grampa has a will to live like no other hospice patients they have ever seen!
They told us he would be gone by the weekend and we are in the middle of the weekend and he is still here with us...
Watching him breathe and fight to live is so frustrating. This is a battle he will not win and a part of me wishes he would just surrender... Maybe that will come in the next few days...
I am happy he is at home and not in some hospital... I am also happy he was able to tell our daughter Candice he loved her and goodbye the other night...
Well... that is the Grampa update for today...
I will let you know the minute anything changes...
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the thoughts and prayers being sent from all of you...
Prayers are powerful!
slyracing1 at 4:54:53 PM PDT
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Thursday, April 17, 2008
Grampa update... he will be gone soon
Sam and I just checked into a hotel [10pm]. Its been a long day. We woke up at the High Desert House and it couldn't have been a more beautiful day. 70 degrees, sunny, no wind! Why does that happen when you have to leave?
[we got a call last night from Sam's sisters telling us Grampa is pretty bad and he is asking for Sam]
So we finished cleaning up the construction mess we had going and headed down the hill 40 minutes to home. We dropped the dogs off with the boys, showered quickly, grabbed some clothes and drove 2 hours into Los Angeles to Grampa's house.
When we arrived we were greeted outside by our nephew Nicholas. We gave him a big hug and headed inside to see Dad. It was not good. Grampa is fighting every step of the way. The hospice people are truly amazed at his will to live. They say he won't make it through the weekend and I have to agree with them. He can barely speak. The only things he said all day was Water and Momma.
"Can you see your Momma, Dad?" and he shook his head yes. Later he said "Where is Grampa, Momma?" he is obviously getting very close to death. He is not eating at all but he does say "Water" I gave him about 20 teaspoons of water today and swabbed his mouth for him. He is SO dehydrated... you can feel it when you hold his hand.
I told him "Dad, we love you... we are here by your side... we will be fine Dad. Don't worry about us" that seemed to calm him and he fell asleep for a about 2 hours.
Oh! The best news of all... you won't believe it! Monsignor came by to give Dad last rites and he said "I have to go to Ireland to also be with a dying relative but I have instructed all the priests that we will NOT take the flag off the coffin for Clancy's funeral! The reason I have changed my mind on this is because I know Clancy will haunt me for the rest of my life if I do not grant him this wish"
We all would have... Besides Dad made us promise to hold the funeral on the steps of the church if it wasn't allowed... Especially for a past Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus...
Speaking of the KC... having the Pope here visiting the
U.S. reminds me of many years ago when Pope John Paul II came to Los Angeles. Grampa being a Grand Knight was an usher during the Mass with the Pope.
So anyway that is the update on Grampa... I'll keep ya posted on any changes in his condition but just understand his time here on earth is coming to a close.
I am trying to remember his last day here on Earth is also his first day in Heaven... and that makes it a little easier...
slyracing1 at 10:23:39 PM PDT
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Monday, April 14, 2008
More old stories about Grampa you may enjoy... and an update
Kameron put these SPY glasses on Grampa a year ago and said
"Grampa your futures so bright you gotta wear shades"
he said "Ok"
As you know I picked Grampa up the week of Thanksgiving and we took him up to the high desert house... In the last couple of months, every time we would arrive at his house, Grampa has been in bed... sitting up reading the paper but lately always in bed... When Candice and I arrived to pick him up for Thanksgiving weekend he wasn't ready, still in PJ's in bed [it was 2pm]
Anyway, the whole time at the high desert house with 18 people up there... Grampa laid on the couch, THE WHOLE TIME totally detached from everything going on around him... I could barely get him to eat... I was worried the whole time... I kinda joked about it saying he was turning into the Grandpa on Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory [you know how the Grandparents were in the house in bed ALL the time and they NEVER got out of bed]
Well anyway... yesterday Sam's sister took Grampa to the Dr. and she basically told her to take him home and let him die comfortably... she has seen the signs before and basically he is ready to go... I guess Grampa was afraid they were going to hospitalize him... "I want to go home, don't let them keep me, I want to go home" Tina said at first she wanted them to hook him up to a feeding tube but then she realized its just his time and he is ready to go...
He has lost 22 pounds since June... He is nothing but skin and bones right now...
Grampa only has 10% of his stomach anyway... He had stomach cancer 35 years ago and they took most of it... So he has to eat every hour a little bit anyway... but he is barely eating now...
So... anyway... that is what is going on with Grampa... he was supposed to come here on December 22nd to the 25th... I don't think that will happen now...
When my kids were little, Grampa would show up here at 3am [after going to midnight mass at his house and driving 2 hours to come here] I would then tape pillows to him and help him with his Santa suit, then he would jingle, jingle bells SO LOUD my kids would wake up, then Santa would give them their presents, we would always have a bigger gift like a bike or something in the garage and he would tell them he left it in there... the kids would race to see what it was and they would hear Grampa saying "On Dancer, On Prancer" and so on outside....
So one year we had to sit Kris down at 13 and tell him who Santa was because he was about to get into a fist fight over it... He just knew there was a Santa, he saw him every year and it wasnt his DAD because his DAD was there when Santa was...
These are the things I will fondly remember about my FIL... 
Whoa.. check out my 80's hair! LOL
This was taken about 1984 or 1985... That was Grampa's plane in the back ground... Sam, Grampa and I went for a plane ride that day... we flew over the Queen Mary, Spruce Goose Building, over Long Beach and San Pedro... Grampa let Sam fly the plane for most of our trip... It was a beautiful day... As we are approaching the Hawthorne airport we have to do a fly by the tower because the landing gear light did not come on.. The tower told us the wheels were down and looked ok!
Grampa said it must be a burned out light or fuse or something I don't remember... I do remember being scared to death! Everything was fine... we had a text book landing... and I kissed the ground when we got out of the plane...
Grampa quit flying about 10 years ago... he has always said he was born too soon... He would give anything to fly those fighter planes in the Navy now...
When he was in WWII he was a fighter pilot... he bombed Iwo Jima... and many more islands in the South Pacific...
Later after the war, he was the personal pilot for the U.S.Ambassador to India. He was gone 2 years doing that... While living in India, he actually shot a Bengal Tiger... he had the rug for years...
[of course they are on the endangered species list now]
That is my Grampa story for today... Hope you enjoyed it...
Tina Sam's sister called last night to say they had to put him on some pain meds... he was uncomfortable.
slyracing1 at 9:03:21 AM PDT
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Sunday, April 13, 2008
Grampa update and old story you may enjoy
Sam and I went to see Grampa on Thursday of last week... He is still hanging in there but seems to be more disconnected from us than normal... We thought maybe he was on some heavy pain meds or something because he just seemed to be in a fog and not really there with us... Do you know what I mean? I talked to Tina Sam's sister later in the day and she said he is not on anything at all... so maybe he is just slowly slipping away I don't know... He did seem worse than the week before... He barely eats or drinks anything... He asks for certain foods like he is having a craving but then says "I'll have some in a little bit, okay?" and doesn't eat... He kept saying "Its time for me to get out of this rack... I'm tired of being in bed! I'll try to get up tomorrow okay?" "Ok Dad" we say but we know he is not ever going to get up out of the hospital bed again... Poor thing must weigh 90 lbs... Everyone is shocked he has made it this far... he is a fighter! I will keep you all posted... Meanwhile here is a story from a few years ago... I hope you enjoy it
____________________________________
Yesterday, Grampa was loving the weather here [80 degrees, sunny, and beautiful] he lives 2 hours away by the beach.
Fog and a damper climate.
Grandpa was enjoying the weather so much he decided to take a nap on the grass -
[in our front yard!]
Kameron came home after school... pulls up and about has a heart attack because he thought Grampa must have died right there on our front lawn!
I have to admit it looked rather strange to have an 82 year old man laying on my front lawn like he's making snow angels and sleeping! I saw a neighbor or two doing a double take!
I swear I have the best stories to tell about him...
Especially when he use to drive
[think Mr. Magoo]
One time we went skiing on a day trip
[BTW he gave up skiing 2 years ago]
On our way home he wanted us to stop and eat at Denny's...
Sam and Grampa are up front and because we were in the camper...
His sister & I were in the back at the table....
Suddenly the camper was almost sideways ...When we looked out the window we were looking at freeway asphalt! 
She starts saying "It's Ok, It's Ok..."
Then the camper righted and came to a stop ...
the back door opened and there was Grandpa
"Ok Kids, we're at Denny's... lets go eat" and he toddles off towards the front door...
Next I saw Sam who was in the front seat with Grandpa... his eyes were about as big as saucers!
I asked "Sam! What happened? "
Sam's voice was barely audible and he looks shell shocked
"I said Dad you missed the off ramp for Denny's and he said "I did?" then made a hard right down the embankment and into the parking lot... I thought we were going over on our side!"
Sam's sister says "I have no idea why I was telling you it was going to be ok..."
then we hear Grandpa standing at the door to Denny's
"Come on kids... what are you doing?"
as if nothing even happened...
Mr. Magoo I tell ya! I love that man!
slyracing1 at 3:38:14 PM PDT
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Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Dog-ville
"Whats that smell?"
Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side of the fence!
"Oh really Mother must you yell at me to get down like that!"
"LOL that was funny!"
Gi Gi tell her to stop chewing on my cactus
Peek a Boo
slyracing1 at 2:45:00 PM PDT
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