A step back to 1972

and Pan's third grade year. He's the one that looks like a young Anton Yelchin, so I am sure you will have no problem picking him out, LOL.

 

I love that a friend of his found and posted this on FB so that we can pass it on to later generations of our family. Will have to also mention to Pan that one kid in the class can pass for a young Howard Wolowitz. He'll know what I mean.

"Gypsy" 1936-2013

"Gypsy"

1936 - 2013

Gypsy, 76, passed away on September 7, 2013. She was born in Pensacola  on November 14, 1936. She graduated from high school in 1954. She married her love in 1955. She was intelligent, beautiful, hardworking, a wonderful mother and wife. She loved to garden and do crossword puzzles. She was a great cook and had recipes that the whole family loved, like her meatloaf. She was a seamstress for the family, from weddings to Halloween costumes to regular every day clothes.

Gypsy is preceded in death by her husband; parents; and a brother. She is survived by her daughters, Tink and husband, Pan; poppies and husband, Bear; VW Bug and husband, Brains; a brother and his wife. Five grandchildren, Nuke and wife, Milady; Scamp and wife, Honey; Daughter; Tater and Tot. Three great-grandchildren, The Princess, Ballerina and Indy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are to be made to Covenant Hospice.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the family, friends and Covenant Hospice for their support in her final days.

A star named Gypsy

 

Gypsy, my mother, believed in the celebration of life. An avid gardener, her yard attested to this by the many varieties of wildlife that found refuge there. She could always be found putting out food and placing plants, that were not only beautiful to look at but provided food and hiding places, for the many birds that flew through.

She, also, never stopped trying to learn all she could about everything. She was the one who gave me a passion for astronomy and ancient history that still exists to this day. As a child, I remember her laying a blanket on the lawn and we would sit there studying the stars, learning the constellations and discussing them. Then there were the times, especially when her brother would visit, that we would pull out all of the encyclopedias and have them scattered about the floor as we would look up one interest after another. As time passed and I moved away, I cherished the times I spent with her on weekends where we could debate and discuss anything from politics and religion to what books and movies to take in.

　

At the funeral of one of her friends, she saw the granddaughter was wearing a colorful dress. She thought that it epitomized the celebration of life she so loved; and requested that we wear yellow to honor her life.

She also requested that we not mourn her passing but to celebrate the new journey she was to embark upon. She would not be alone on this journey, but would have the help and love of her husband; her parents; and one of her brothers.

While we may hurt from the loss of such a special woman and mother, we speed her on her way with all our love.

Continue learning mom, and we look forward to the time when we are joined once again at the star named Gypsy.

A Time for Remembrance

On this most auspicious day, we should all take a moment to remember those whose lives were taken some many years ago, by terrorists. I wish I could say that we no longer have anything to fear, but that would just be a vain wish. So my heart, prayer and thoughts go out to the families of those whose lives have been cut short by the acts of frightened and frightening men.

 

To learn more please go to the National September 11 Memorial webpage.

In Honor

Of those who gave their lives, who have served, who are serving now. Thank you for your sacrifice, your sense of duty, your commitment to the betterment of life. Thank you.

Photo taken by my sister, ddpuppies

So Many Years..

Nine to be exact since that eventful day which changed our lives. Things have calmed down and many go about their lives without ever thinking about it until the anniversary day arrives. We need to be ever diligent and watchful, as what happens once can be repeated again.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those families who lost loved ones and to our military personnel who continue to fight the good fight for our freedom. God bless you all.

Memorial Day

Blog Prompt - Today is Memorial Day. A day of remembrance, being with friends and family and the beginning of summer. Tell me what Memorial Day means to you.

Below is a repost of some of those layouts of my dad and sons which I think shows what Memorial Day means to me.

Stock photo of Thunderbirds courtesy of Morgue Files; Lyrics courtesy of Jeff Silbar; Font: Arial

Papers and elements ©2006 Valeri Brumfield; Fonts: Jester, Zamyatin

African Safari Page Kit (c)Lauren Bavin; font: Primitive

A Week of Devastating Tribulations

I did manage to get the prompts up at Digital Scrapbook Place but haven't managed to do them myself.

It has been a week of devastating information; some of which ended up good; one which did not.

Several weeks ago, my doctor thought I had developed a rare form of skin cancer under my toenail. I had to have half the nail taken off and biopsied. I was not to concerned until the 10 days had passed and I called her assistant to verify that it wasn't. The lab had called the day before and said they needed to know where on my toe the sample came from. Come on people, either it is cancerous or it is not. So I had another day of waiting, this time in abject terror. But it came out well for me. It was a bruise.

Then last Wednesday, my daughter's best friend had to have surgery for a cancerous tumor on her thyroid. Their prognosis after the surgery.... They didn't think she would have to undergo radiation therapy. Jumping up and down for joy. Another good piece of news.

But that night or actually the next morning around 4/4:30ish, Pan received a call from his office. His boss had been in a fatal motorcycle accident and had died. We were all in shock. I guess we still are. He was a wonderful man who would scimp to save a penny; but with a heart as big as Texas when you needed anything, including money. His laugh was infectious and when he did laugh his face would turn a bright beet red. He is sorely missed by all who had the opportunity to know him.

He was on his way home from a late night at the office when as far as anyone can tell, a truck made a u-turn in front of him. He went sailing over the shield and hit the left rear panel of the truck. It is being investigated as a vehicular homicide although it is not clear yet if it was.

While I would be the first to advocate the wearing of helmets while riding a motorcycle, he would not. And to be honest, I really don't think in this occasion it would have been of any use. But please be safe, wear a helmet if you are going to be riding a motorcyle. Not everyone is as considerate of them as I always try to be.

And while we mourn his death, we also have to wonder what the future is going to bring for us and the other 200+ employees he has. It was his desire that the company continue and this past week his wife and employees have done all to make sure that it went on business as usual. His wife wants to honor his request and as long as others involved agree, 200+ people will continue to be employed.

But if I don't post much in the next week or so, we are going to be pretty busy around here.

Doodle-iscious ©A Work in Progress; Doodle on Background ©acm designs; sketch by Sara Noendeng; Fonts: Maria Lucia; Summertime