Lego Likeness

My son-in-law Mark showed me this Lego figure he recently purchased...it reminded him of someone.

I saw the resemblance to who he was thinking of immediately. 

 

It looks a lot like Bill's Dad.

 

 

I think it looks like Bill too!

 

 

 

Arlington and a Celebration

Arlington National Cemetery performs 27 to 30 funeral services each day. The grounds of Arlington National Cemetery honor those who have served our nation by providing a sense of beauty and peace for our guests. The rolling green hills are dotted with trees that are hundreds of years in age and complement the gardens found throughout the 624 acres of the cemetery. This impressive landscape serves as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of every individual laid to rest within the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery.

Bill's dad passed away on Nov. 17, 2011 and was interred in Arlington on Jan. 6, 2012.  Bill's nephew and niece (from Michigan) came to visit this past weekend so we could celebrate their grandfather's birthday together. He would have been 94 years old on January 19th.  Part of that celebration was making sure they got to visit Arlington.  So half of our group of sixteen headed for Washington DC Saturday morning.  It was our first visit.....Bill quickly walked ahead of us to look for his Dad.

In a couple months a permanent, a carved marble niche cover will replace the temporary paper tag that's in a vinyl pocket on this group of niches.  It will have my father-in-law's and mother-in-law's names on it...along with his rank and branch of service, his date of death and of interment.  We're allowed to put fresh flowers in cones in the bed that's below the niches.  Flags are placed there for Memorial Day.  We're looking forward to going again in the Spring. It's fortunate that we live only an hour or so away. 
(In the photo above, Bill and David are looking at some of the permanent carved niche covers already in place.)

 

I've never been to Arlington in the winter time....it was beautiful with the snow and wreaths. It was also very overcast and I was in a moving vehicle when I took this photo...so excuse the blur.

We all gathered at my house for New England Boiled Dinner  (I'm sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the food preparation and eating...this is just a generic link in case you don't know what it is.)  New England Boiled Dinner was my father-in-law's favorite meal. He'd eat it twice a week if Bill cooked it that often. Since he moved in with us we always had it for his birthday and this year would be no different. 

After dinner we shared COSTCO cookies (another favorite of his) and stories about him.  If you'd care to read some of the stories we shared you can click here...and start with the Oct. 25th post. 
I printed out the photo and poem I shared in this blog post and framed them....one for each of his six grandchildren.  His great-grandchildren will be getting special porcelain ornaments with a picture of "Super-Grandpa" on them...my friend Patricia is going to make them for us.

His six grandchildren, plus spouses or significant others, and four great-grandchildren. He left quite a legacy...I know he was very proud of each one of them. 

Almost always........

Mona Lisa also visited from Michigan.  She spent Sunday afternoon and early evening with me while malls and restaurants were being visited by the others.  She was the quietest little thing. She's quite good at catch too!  Mona almost made me think that having a little dog around might be nice. But I came to my senses after I returned her to her owners.

  I remember my mother-in-law's memorial service...she had asked me to speak at it. After I was finished I went up to my father-in-law and asked "How did I do?"  He said, "You cried too much. You need to just move on."

It was a lovely weekend...we celebrated the life of a wonderful man.  It's time to remember his words. Don't cry too much and it's time to move on. It's time to find our new normal.

But, we're sure going to miss him!

Katie posted about Arlington on her blog today too!

She even got a picture of me!

A Celebration

"Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened." - Dr Seuss

We're having a celebration this weekend ~ Katie can tell you why.

I'll tell you more about it next week.

Have a joy-filled. memory-making weekend!!

Thank You

I was going to try and reply to or visit everyone who commented on the posts about my father-in-law ~ but quite honestly I just don't have the energy.  But I certainly do thank you all for your kind words and your prayers.  They have been such a blessing to me...and to the rest of my family.

My father-in-law was 93 years old, we knew he wouldn't live forever....but his health changed so quickly.  He was in the hospital for nine days. Unfortunately they weren't very good days.  Bill and I were deeply troubled by the lack of compassion demonstrated by most of the medical staff caring for him.  Toward the end of the nine days (as his health declined very rapidly) we were praying for a swift move into the local Hospice home. Dad mentioned to Bill at least twice that he didn't want to stay in that hospital.  He was transferred to the Hospice home on Wednesday the 16th at about 10:00 AM.  Twenty eight hours later he was gone.  We are so grateful to the staff at Hospice - the twenty eight hours there were such a huge contrast to his hospital stay.  Because of certain things that happened we are positive he knew he wasn't in the hospital any longer. Events over his last two days also left me with the real hope that he is safe in the arms of Jesus. 

The past three days have been difficult....but we seem to be taking turns having difficult moments. So there's always someone to support the other in those moments.  It's funny, but my worst moments come when I'm brushing my teeth.  Almost every day while Dad was in the hospital I would help him brush his teeth.  His mouth was so dry and he so enjoyed brushing and rinsing his teeth...every one of them his own by the way.  At least five minutes of brushing and he wanted his toothbrush full of toothpaste.  I was accused of being stingy with toothpaste one night!  : )  This was his last real pleasure, and I can see him brushing his teeth thoroughly and vigorously every time I brush mine.....

Dad

William Arthur

"Bud"

January 18, 1918 - November 17, 2011

Farewell

Farewell to Thee! But not farewell

to all my fondest thoughts of Thee;

Within my heart they still shall dwell

and they shall cheer and comfort me.

Life seems more sweet that Thou didst live

and men more true Thou wert one;

Nothing is lost that Thou didst give,

nothing destroyed that Thou hast done.

Anne Bronte

1820-1849

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort..."

2 Corinthians 1:3

Leaves

I have a relatively small back yard and two very big Oak trees.  My yard is very full of leaves from these trees.....to most of the grandbabies' delight.  Caleb doesn't seem to be having quite as much fun as big brother Elijah and cousins - Charlotte and Penelope.

I "borrowed" this photo from my daughter-in-law's blog  - Johanna has posted some fun fall themed posts lately.  Here, Here & Here.

My father-in-law was moved to a Hospice Home this morning...it's a lovely place, filled with a very caring  and considerate staff.  It's a welcome change from the past nine days in the hospital. 

I appreciate all the wonderful comments and emails in response to Monday's post.....and we are truly blessed by all your prayers.

    

Bill's Dad

My father-in-law has been in the hospital since last week Monday.  Since I last posted about him his health has rapidly declined.  He's been diagnosed with Stage IV B Lymphoma and his Oncologist has referred us to Hospice.  We met with a Hospice nurse Saturday evening and Hospice care will begin sometime this week.

We're reeling from all of this....a month ago he was still doing his own laundry and watching his favorite game show.  Six weeks ago he was still riding an exercise bike three times a day. Three months ago he still ocassionally drove his car.  Now we're being told he probably won't make it until Christmas. 

When Bill took him to the hospital on Monday we didn't think he'd never be coming back home again.  The thought is overwhelming.  He's lived with us for just about four years ~ but I can't remember our home without him.  He's certainly made our lives better and richer.  Four generations regularly under one roof...how cool is that!  I just can't quite wrap my head around the "quickness" of all of this.

Please remember "Bud" in your prayers....pray for comfort and peace and most of all...his salvation.  Pray for Bill too. He's the one who has to make all the medical decisions now because his dad isn't able to...and it's been so hard for him.  Prayers for all of us please.  Thanks so much!

Dad

My dad died when I was 15 years old ~ almost 41 years ago.  For over 30 years Bill's dad has filled the roll of "Dad" for me.  For the past 4 years he's lived with us.  Life has been interesting having a (now) 93 year old in the household. 

It's also been a real blessing!

     Two weeks ago he chose to have surgery to remove some skin cancer on his head and since then his health and weight have been declining (actually the weight loss began a couple weeks before the surgery.  But last night he felt well enough to sit through a hair cut with my daughter Katie.  She's never cut his hair before and she likened the experience to cutting fluffy feathers.  That means it wasn't easy!  : )

But it was definitely worth it!  He liked it!!

We talked for a long time last Tuesday night. He told me that he's pretty sure he's dying ~ he wishes it wouldn't take so long.  He also told me he doesn't believe there's a God or a place called Heaven.  He said he's had 93 years to reach that conclusion.  I shared my faith with him and told him how glad I was that he had moved in with us. I told him how much we all hoped to spend eternity with him.  I'm not sure if he's interested in having anymore talks with me...but I'm very interested in still talking with him.   Please pray that I have (and take) more opportunities to share the Gospel with this dear man. 

Happy Birthday to You

Today is my father-in-law's birthday.

He's 93!

Katie, Mandy, Mark & Charlotte are taking him to Bob Evans for dinner tonight and then tomorrow Bill and I will be having a quiet dinner at home with him. His dinner request is Mexican Luncheon dish....something my mother-in-law prepared for him regularly.  He just calls it "that sausage and macaroni stuff"!  For dessert it'll be apple pie and ice cream and his birthday gift request.....warmer weather ~ puhleese!!!



Here he is with Elijah (about a year ago).  We'll be celebrating Elijah's birthday this Saturday. He turned 3 earlier this month.  It's such a blessing to be able to have four generations of family to celebrate these happy events.

Stuffed Crust

Tonight's conversation with my Father-in-law:

Me:  "Dad, Mandy is going to stop and pick up something for dinner."

Dad: "Well." (clears throat loudly) "I saw a commecial today."

long pause

Me: "Yes?"

Dad: "Well, I know what I want......but you're probably going to say No!"

like I've ever said no to him...sheesh!

Me: "Probably not. What is it you'd like?"

Dad: That pizza place, not Papa John's....oh, Pizza Hut, that's the one."  I want one of those pizza's with the stuff in the crust."

Me: You want a Stuffed Crust Pizza?

Dad: "Is that what they call it? Yes, that's what I want!"

proceeds to give me the cheesy grin

Me: All right. I'll order one of those.

Dad: "Really??? You're nicer than I thought!"

and then he smiled

The pizza is here and so is my father-in-law ~ the delivery was late and he's hungry.

Yummy stuffed crust!!  Ummm. 

He's very excited!!  Really he is!

Family Fun!!

Last Saturday we headed to Weber's Farm for some family fun ~ everyone was able to go except for Kevin. (we missed you Kevin!)  Love it when the family is (almost) all together.  Here's Elijah, Charlotte and Penelope all buckled up and ready to go! 


The mini hay-bale maze was a hit with all three of them.



Pictures of our pumpkins with the pumpkins was a must of course.



We missed getting Charlotte's "pumpkin" picture because she got side-tracked by some ducks.



She was soon joined by her cousins ~ and a curly headed little stranger. 

But he fit right in ~ don't you think!!?

Then it was time for a ride in one of the wagons...pulled by a tractor.  But the best part was Momma/Aunt Katie rode with them!

Super Grandpa and Grandpa enjoyed watching all the fun.

 The "slide" was a bunch of fun!

Then it was time for the tractor/hay-ride.  Everyone enjoyed this bit of relaxation!  It was nice to have a little down time.  I know the "older" folks enjoyed sitting for a spell.

Well, maybe everyone didn't enjoy it.

I guess Charlotte was a little bored.

Next stop was the market. 

There was a lot of interest in the cauliflower.

A lot!  We bought three!

The pumpkins and the Halloween decorations were a big hit too.

Here's Joe checking out the "cute witch"!  : )

We headed to Red Robin for a late lunch. 

Everyone was hungry by this time!

Balloons for everyone marked the end of our fun family outing.

It was a VERY good day!!