Jason, my parents, and I went to the funeral for Anne's son this past Saturday.
It was a gray and rainy day.. rather fitting for the mood of everyone in
attendance, naturally. I went up to Anne first to give her a hug, and see how
she was doing. When asked how she was, she told me she was pretending to ok. I
can't even imagine what she was feeling in her heart.. burying her "little" boy.
I was able to briefly speak with each of Anne's sisters, whom I had met once
before.. and it was nice to see them both, though regrettably under those
circumstances. At the luncheon, I got to meet her "baby" brother Tom, whom I
have heard SO much about. She always referred to him as the Messiah... being
the youngest, his older sister spoiled him, and still do to this day. When I
first met him, he shook my hand, and I genuflected in front of him as a play on
the "messiah" nickname. Anne, Tom, and her family burst out laughing. Tom
reminds me so much of Anne. He has a huge heart, and an AWESOME sense of humor.
I'm glad I was finally able to meet him in person.
I haven't had a chance to talk with Anne since Saturday. I know her sisters are
staying with her, so as long as I know she has company, I am going to stay out
of the way. She needs some time with family right now, and although she and I
are very close, I'd feel in the way and out of place right now. I am off of
work Wednesday, so I will call her then to see how she is.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Saturday
Friday, April 27, 2007
Bing went bald!
My hair grows much too fast! I get it buzzed every two weeks, but by the time I'm due for another trim, I look like a chia pet gone crazy. So, I told her "buzz it ALL". I kinda like it, and since I wear hats a lot, it's nice not to have hat hair. It may just be a summer look for me, or I may just go back to how I normally keep my hair.. but for now, it's new, and I kinda like it. =-P
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Is the Week Over Yet?
This is turning out to be one long, daunting week. It is my last week of class, ending with my third exam on Thursday. I have a LOT of studying to do, as well as my lab which must get completed. Thankfully, I have only to write the conclusion, and it will be done. Please God.. all I ask is for a C in this course... nothing too miraculous.. just a C would be nice!!!
I went over to Anne's today to help her pick out some readings for her son's funeral on Saturday, as well as type up some of the readings for her, and bring over the picture of her son Jerry I had made up at work to use at the funeral. She and Vince are doing their best to keep going, but I can see it in their faces how utterly drained they both are. Anne told me today that after the funeral she thinks she is just going to collapse. Right now she is being driven by the fact that she knows things have to get done.. so she's in work mode. She told me it's in the next few weeks where she will really need me, when this finally does hit her full force. I'm glad she feels she can come to me.. I only wish there was more I could do.. if only I could some how wrap her up in a blanket and keep her from all this pain. But, the cold hard fact is, I can't.. no one can.
As if she didn't have enough on her mind, her granddaughter, Parris, has had at least two surgeries in the past two days due to infections. She has not been able to leave intensive care, and the doctors are still having a hard time with her blood pressure. Her colon has been swelling, and they had to give her a colostopy (spelling?). The doctors said it is reversible, but they have no idea at this point if she will be able to have it reversed, or need it for the rest of her life. I'll keep everyone posted as I get more news on her health. Just keep this kid in your hearts and minds.. she needs it!
I did get some good news today, which was quite a welcomed surprise. My friend Dave was just promoted to Finance Manager at the car dealership he works at. This means a nice pay raise for him, salary, and even an eventual company car. I'm so happy for him.. and damn proud of him too. He's a hard worker, and a good salesman -- and an honest one too (if there really is such a thing). Bout time some good came his way.
I went over to Anne's today to help her pick out some readings for her son's funeral on Saturday, as well as type up some of the readings for her, and bring over the picture of her son Jerry I had made up at work to use at the funeral. She and Vince are doing their best to keep going, but I can see it in their faces how utterly drained they both are. Anne told me today that after the funeral she thinks she is just going to collapse. Right now she is being driven by the fact that she knows things have to get done.. so she's in work mode. She told me it's in the next few weeks where she will really need me, when this finally does hit her full force. I'm glad she feels she can come to me.. I only wish there was more I could do.. if only I could some how wrap her up in a blanket and keep her from all this pain. But, the cold hard fact is, I can't.. no one can.
As if she didn't have enough on her mind, her granddaughter, Parris, has had at least two surgeries in the past two days due to infections. She has not been able to leave intensive care, and the doctors are still having a hard time with her blood pressure. Her colon has been swelling, and they had to give her a colostopy (spelling?). The doctors said it is reversible, but they have no idea at this point if she will be able to have it reversed, or need it for the rest of her life. I'll keep everyone posted as I get more news on her health. Just keep this kid in your hearts and minds.. she needs it!
I did get some good news today, which was quite a welcomed surprise. My friend Dave was just promoted to Finance Manager at the car dealership he works at. This means a nice pay raise for him, salary, and even an eventual company car. I'm so happy for him.. and damn proud of him too. He's a hard worker, and a good salesman -- and an honest one too (if there really is such a thing). Bout time some good came his way.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
So...
The weather the past two days has been WONDERFUL. Went with Jason to Forrest Lawn Cemetery yesterday for a walk around. The sunshine is a wonderful treat, and it's nice to get out of the house to go somewhere other than school or work.
I stopped in to see Anne and Vince today. Brought some flowers from my family, and some baked goods I made them. Her oldest son is in from out of town, and her three other sons were there also.. helping her and Vince make arrangements for Jerry's funeral. She is doing as well as can be expected, and I appreciate all the support and well wishes that have been made to me from people who have read this blog. Believe me when I say it is greatly appreciated.
Her granddaughter, Parris, is still in intensive care. They are having difficulty regulating her blood pressure. She has eaten some soft foods, but is still having a rough time. Anne is looking forward to the day when she can at least talk to her on the phone.
I did get some good news today, which was a welcomed change. I had been monitoring the condition of my old friend Tim, who was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, and was undergoing treatment for it. At his last doctor's visit, it was confirmed that the treatments had worked, and he is cancer free. Though he is no longer a physical presence in my life, it's nice to know he will be ok.
I stopped in to see Anne and Vince today. Brought some flowers from my family, and some baked goods I made them. Her oldest son is in from out of town, and her three other sons were there also.. helping her and Vince make arrangements for Jerry's funeral. She is doing as well as can be expected, and I appreciate all the support and well wishes that have been made to me from people who have read this blog. Believe me when I say it is greatly appreciated.
Her granddaughter, Parris, is still in intensive care. They are having difficulty regulating her blood pressure. She has eaten some soft foods, but is still having a rough time. Anne is looking forward to the day when she can at least talk to her on the phone.
I did get some good news today, which was a welcomed change. I had been monitoring the condition of my old friend Tim, who was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, and was undergoing treatment for it. At his last doctor's visit, it was confirmed that the treatments had worked, and he is cancer free. Though he is no longer a physical presence in my life, it's nice to know he will be ok.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
A Tragedy Close to Home
I woke up this morning to see plenty of news coverage of shootings and killings on a college campus. "Not again" was the phrase that kept going through my head. Some how though, the news reports on tv were not what was on my mind this morning.. it was an e-mail I had received from my best friend Anne. It simply said that she needed me to call her when I was able, and that she needed to talk to me. She ended this brief message with the words "PRAY PRAY PRAY".
I was scared. So much was going on in her life... something was wrong, very wrong. Did something happen to her already fragile health? Her husband? I tried calling three times but couldn't reach her. Finally around 2:3oPM I managed to get through to her. I heard her somber voice on the other end of the phone, and I simply said "What happened?". Her voice never once faltered or gave way to cries, she simply stayed somber and began speaking as if in a library. "Michael, you just won't believe it. We're all in complete shock."
She had confided in me a while ago that the marriage between her son Jerry and his wife had fallen apart. She had left him, and he was not taking it very well. While I won't go into all the details, to anyone who knew Jerry and his wife, this was a complete shock. They were always together, discussed everything, and lived for each other and their two girls. The couple had attempted counseling, but to no avail. All during lent Anne was making small sacrifices, not just because it was lent, but because she wanted to offer those sacrifices for her son, and his family.
On Sunday Anne was informed by her sons that Jerry had committed suicide earlier that day. He had shot himself, but not before pointing the gun at his two daughters, Delaney (age 6) and Parris (age 13). Jerry was killed instantly, and Delaney later died at a local hospital. Parris is being hospitalized, though they have removed the breathing tube, and she has spoken a few words.
The entire family is in utter shock. Anne kept saying all she could do was offer this to God, and put the souls of her loved ones in His hands. I admire her deep faith... it is what is keeping her alive today.
No one knows why Jerry would have pointed the gun at his daughters. The family told the local Dallas newspaper (where the family lived) that his children meant everything to him, and maybe he wanted the girls with him. The media I'm sure has depicted him as some kind of monster, but nothing could be further from the truth. He lived for his girls, and perhaps it was the thought of losing them that drove him to the point of death. Only God in His infinite mercy will know what was going on in his heart and mind that day.
For all of you reading this blog, I ask that you please pray for my friend Anne, and for her whole family. They need our prayers, good thoughts, positive energy... whatever it is you choose to call it... keep them in your hearts.
I was scared. So much was going on in her life... something was wrong, very wrong. Did something happen to her already fragile health? Her husband? I tried calling three times but couldn't reach her. Finally around 2:3oPM I managed to get through to her. I heard her somber voice on the other end of the phone, and I simply said "What happened?". Her voice never once faltered or gave way to cries, she simply stayed somber and began speaking as if in a library. "Michael, you just won't believe it. We're all in complete shock."
She had confided in me a while ago that the marriage between her son Jerry and his wife had fallen apart. She had left him, and he was not taking it very well. While I won't go into all the details, to anyone who knew Jerry and his wife, this was a complete shock. They were always together, discussed everything, and lived for each other and their two girls. The couple had attempted counseling, but to no avail. All during lent Anne was making small sacrifices, not just because it was lent, but because she wanted to offer those sacrifices for her son, and his family.
On Sunday Anne was informed by her sons that Jerry had committed suicide earlier that day. He had shot himself, but not before pointing the gun at his two daughters, Delaney (age 6) and Parris (age 13). Jerry was killed instantly, and Delaney later died at a local hospital. Parris is being hospitalized, though they have removed the breathing tube, and she has spoken a few words.
The entire family is in utter shock. Anne kept saying all she could do was offer this to God, and put the souls of her loved ones in His hands. I admire her deep faith... it is what is keeping her alive today.
No one knows why Jerry would have pointed the gun at his daughters. The family told the local Dallas newspaper (where the family lived) that his children meant everything to him, and maybe he wanted the girls with him. The media I'm sure has depicted him as some kind of monster, but nothing could be further from the truth. He lived for his girls, and perhaps it was the thought of losing them that drove him to the point of death. Only God in His infinite mercy will know what was going on in his heart and mind that day.
For all of you reading this blog, I ask that you please pray for my friend Anne, and for her whole family. They need our prayers, good thoughts, positive energy... whatever it is you choose to call it... keep them in your hearts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)