A Year of Change

Last night around 4:55 in the afternoon, our Mom decided it was time to go meet up with our Dad, the love of her life. We are all filled with great sadness and sorrow but know that she is now at peace and in no pain. It’s almost surreal as to how fast life changes as within a matter of minutes, your World is turned upside down.

No matter who you are, if you were lucky enough to have our Mom come into your life, even if only for a brief moment, you were better off. Like a magical princess, if you met her or knew her, you were somehow touched or blessed with a pure goodness rarely found. As a mother, a wife, a grandmother, a friend or a casual acquaintance, she spread joy and happiness to all. She will be greatly missed but live on forever in the many memories that we all have from the years of love and joy we spent with her.

The day started out to be a bit better as when we arrived, Mom was speaking with more clarity and sitting up a bit better. I had to run a quick errand across town and Lori stayed with her by her side. Tom took Robin to the airport about noon and Lori and I waited for the the RN from the hospital to arrive around 1. At 1, Tom and Ali arrived and the RN took Mom’s vitals which were strong. After that, Tom and Ali went home for a much needed rest while we stayed with her. On and off during the afternoon, Mom would have leg cramps so we’d rub her muscles to give her some relief. At one moment Lori went to the bathroom and came back in and Mom said, “where’d you go?” She also asked me how the roads were coming down from Vail, so she was coherent but you could tell in pain. After spending the afternoon with her, Lori and I decided to run out to pick up dinner for all of us. 40 minutes after we left, I received a call from James telling us she had passed. It’s almost like she was waiting for us to leave so she too could leave. Before I left I told her I loved her and she told me she loved me too. During the afternoon she said how much she loved us all and was talking all day long about the boys on and off. At one point, the phone rang and it was Deb Rubin from Washington D.C. and Mom said she’d talk for a bit. I handed her the phone and she said, “hi Ty” as she must have thought I said it was Ty on the phone. We rushed home and Mom’s body was resting peacefully but she was already in heaven with Dad. I felt an eerie calmness rush over me when I walked in like she was telling me, “it’s ok”. I knew at that point that she was at peace so I kissed her on the forehead and then had to get it together to deal with the authorities who had shown up. As I was talking with the police and fire department, Lori made sure Mom was dressed in nice silk jammies. Two hours later, as if in the blink of an eye, it was over with Lori and I standing all alone in the dead silent house we had all spent so much of our life in.

Lori was an angel comforting Mom from the time she came home 2 days ago, rarely leaving her side. You could tell it gave Mom comfort as she’d periodically look up or open her eyes and ask for Lori in her muffled voice. I spent most of the day lying on the bed next to her holding her hand. Thank God for Lori being there for our Mom and me. Thanks to Dixie for suggesting Lori postpone her trip to California to stay home this weekend. I don’t know what I would have done if Lori wasn’t there.

We made it home around 9 pm and even though we didn’t tell the boys until we arrived, Jagger in his wisdom beyond his years, knew. They both took it as well as they could but of course were upset. It’s funny as I was 15 when my grandmother died in 1971 and Lori said she too was 15 when her grandmother passed which is the same age as Jag is now. We woke up around 4:30 this morning as Ty who was sleeping downstairs with Jagger had a bad dream. He called me on his phone from the basement (it’s technological World, ha) and asked me to come get him. He of course is sleeping soundly now in our bed while Lori and I are awake, ha.

We couldn’t go back to sleep as our heads are swirling with all the thoughts of things that we’ll need to get done. I’m not going to go into that here as it’s just too overwhelming.

When we were finished at Mom’s, we stopped at Tom and Ali’s before driving up the hill. I talked with a few people by phone and texted back and forth with Robi. Tom was a saint for years as he literally made my Mom dinner just about every day. Living so close he also was at the hospital daily which had to wear him down. I pray that he and Robin take comfort in the fact the Mom’s in a better place. I know this takes time. I’m so thankful that over the past 2 years I spent more and more time with her. In fact, I saw her way more than I ever did when we lived across the street. We had many laughs together and some deep conversations about life. Of course I remember each one vividly and will cherish the time we spent together forever.

The most important thing to my Mom was that all of us kids get along. She had this fear that we were somehow divided which wasn’t really true. I think in her heart she was just telling us “family first”. Ali said Tommy was worried the family would now fall apart. I can assure you, I will not let this happen! Today the boys, if Jag wrapped up his homework, along with Lori and I, are heading down to see Tom and Ali. Last night Jag said how we need to celebrate grandma’s life and how he remembers all the great times growing up with her. He brought up many memories I had forgotten and we briefly laughed and relived a few of those magical moments.

It’s rough when either of your parents pass, but somehow different when it’s your Mom. There’s that mother child bond that is not explainable. I believe our Mom is heaven and even looking over my shoulder now as I write. Someday down the road, we’ll all be together again. I love you Mom and miss you already. I hope you’re not too busy up there as I’ll be needing to talk to you daily. Words are not enough to thank you for all you did for all of us, but I know you know how we all feel. Rest in peace and may God Bless you, and tell Dad hi!

What my Mom wanted more than ever w

Yesterday was not easy. We made it down to Denver by about 11 am and headed to the airport to pick up Robi. After a quick burger, we headed to Mom’s to wait for her to arrive home from the hospital. Soon we received word she was on the way. I’m glad only Tom, Robi, Lori, Ali and I were there as it was not an easy sight to see. Mom’s not doing well but then she’s been through a lot.

We got her in the house and in her own bed and the girls were a great comfort for her. She’s pretty frail and you can tell in some pain but still really pretty and still Mom. It’s sad to see her this way and not easy for any of us but we are all happy she’s in her own home. It’s hard to tell, for me anyhow, if she can rally or not or if she’s close to meeting up with dad and God. I’ve been praying for her non stop and didn’t sleep much and I’m sure Tom and Robi didn’t either. She has her moments when she talks clearly to us like when she told us to tell Jagger and Ty, Grandma loves them.

We went home around 6 and are up now at 5 and will head down to Denver soon. Lori and I will stay the day and spend the night and Auntie Dee and cousin Christine arrive tomorrow. Robin stayed at Tom’s last night and we’re glad she did as it’s rough to just hang out at the house. It just wears you down.

Mom did eat some more food last night and James is making her scrambled eggs right now at 6:30. We’ll get some baby food today as that’s soft and easy to eat. The RN from the hospital comes today to check her out and I think PT (physical therapy) people come too but I don’t know if she’s in any shape for PT. Lori did move her arms and legs yesterday as she has been cramping from 20 days in a hospital bed. I know Mom knows we’re there as she told me thanks for being there and bye last night when we left for home. Her head is there it’s just her body that’s weak. We’re praying her body gets stronger.

I don’t talk or write much about religion or God. Perhaps I should more, ha. In any case, I’ve grown closer to God over the past decade or so and have talked with Mom about this and she, even though like me, keeps a lot to herself, is religious in her own way. So, let’s all pray that Mom is at peace and can rest assured that God and other loved ones are waiting for her whenever her time comes. I 100% believe that there is more to life and that God will be there to comfort her and protect her in her time of need. So please God, watch over Mom in her time of need and let her know that you are there for her as she knows you are.

We’ll keep you posted as to how she’s doing and talk to you tomorrow, God Bless everyone and especially God Bless my Mom.

Yesterday I drove down expecting Mom to come home but after waiting and waiting, that never happened. They gave her the ok and even had her dressed before needing to send her back downstairs to have the tube in her gallbladder reinserted. Hopefully today, she’ll be coming home as that’s what they tell us. They say she pulled the tube out but we don’t know for sure.

Robin lands around 11:30 and Lori and I will pick her up at the airport as Mom will probably get home around 1 if I had to guess. The boys are going to take a taxi home from school as Lori and I will probably be down there until the evening.

Lots going on, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the New England Patriots! Lori’s cousin Brian posted on Facebook that with all this going on and Kim and Kayne having a baby, it must be the coming of the Anti Christ. Now that’s a stretch but never in my life have I seen such a convergence of disasters at once. I did pick up the KC quarterback for my fantasy team which turned out to be a great move.

My two guys in Florida have been preparing for the storm for days. One of them and his wife left yesterday driving to Georgia and it took him about 18 hours to make the 6 hour trip. The other one and his family who live in Orlando, are staying. Personally I would have left days ago with my family and our prized possessions as this one could be catastrophic and destroy homes. This of course is all on top of the hurricane in Houston and there’s a 3rd hurricane, Jose, right behind the one due to hit Florida. Time to pray.

Time to go, hope you’re well and safe. Take care and God Bless.

This morning Mom is coming home. We met with the doctor and decided there’s not much else they can do for her at the hospital and that she’d have a better chance of recovering mentally and physically at home. We do need to arrange for 24 hour care which in itself was a nightmare. Tom and I think we have it handled but we’ll go week to week as we don’t know how Mom will react. Money makes people funny and this situation is no different, even with our long time care taker James. Anyhow looks like I’m in for a daily drive to Denver for as long as I can see.

Robin fly’s in tomorrow for a day and then my cousin Christine and her Mom, Auntie Dee, (who is my Mom’s older sister) fly in Sunday. It’s all up to my Mom’s body now as to whether or not she’ll rally and get better. The doctor did tell us she won’t get back to where she was. Lori and I were talking last night and both of us said, neither of us saw this coming. So that’s it, we’ll know more today.

Ty was selected as a leader from his 8th grade camping trip and will now go next week with the 4th graders for a 3 day trip! The teachers select a few kids who show leadership qualities to go along and help. Jag is staying home today as he’s all stuffed up and sick. We think a lot of it is the smoke from all the fires. We made the mistake of sleeping with the windows open and both Lori and I feel sluggish and drugged.

So lots going on. No one is sure how my Mom will do but we all know she’ll be better off at home. Hopefully she’ll feel more comfortable and eat some good food and feel better once back in her own surroundings. Obviously Tom, Robin and I are having to deal with feelings we haven’t experienced before and no matter how you prepare for it, it’s still upsetting. Looks like Lori is going to postpone her trip to see her Mom for a week or two to be here to help. This was at Dixie’s suggestion which is not surprising as Dixie is one that has always put other people ahead of herself. Hard to believe she’s a democrat, ha! (just kidding)

I’d better get moving as it’s after 7 and I need to take Ty to school, shower, get dinner in the crock pot so we all have something to come home to tonight, and then head out to Denver. Take care, have a great day and God Bless.

I made it home yesterday and for those of you that would like to read the post, you can go back a day by clicking the arrow at the upper left corner.

I woke up early knowing I would leave after the morning hunt as I need to get down to see Mom. I spent the morning searching for the bull elk from the night before. Another hunter from Texas we had go to the canyon next to ours as I knew we’d be moving some animals that way. Sure enough after 30 minutes or so at 6:30 am, we heard 4 shots. Thinking Michael, the other hunter, had bagged an elk, we were happy for him. Turns out, this elk was just as tough and took off and even after searching for the entire day, he too was nowhere to be found. That’s part of hunting.

I made it home about noon and gave the boys a big hug. After getting some work done, Ty and I headed out for groceries and then to the hospital to have his cast changed. It was great to see my beautiful wife who truly is, as they say, a vision of loveliness. After the cast change and some big kisses and hugs, Ty and I headed home.

This morning I’m off to Denver as Tom and I are meeting with a doctor to review a care plan for Mom. Turns out she had a gall bladder issue and had to have that drained and will now have a tube for 4 or 5 weeks. They also found a spot on her brain during a CAT scan but were not too worried about it. I just wish we could get her home! We’ll know more this morning after our 11 am meeting. Tommy has been doing a remarkable job handling everything and going to see our Mom every day. Yea, he lives close but it has to wear on him to see her in the shape she’s in every single day. I have a hard enough time seeing her a few times a week as sometimes it’s pretty depressing. Oh well, as they say, you do what you have to do and that’s what my brother is doing.

Lori and I are off to the gym before taking the kids to school and heading to Denver. Hope everyone is well, take care, have a great day and God Bless.

Looks like Lori missed the blog yesterday so I’ll chime in  today. In the morning I hiked another 10 miles in looking for the elusive monster elk. As Lori said, I have no interest in shooting a small one and have passed on 4 animals so far this trip. Not much luck but a long hike. It’s too warm and the rut (breeding time) hasn’t started due to the weather so they’re awful quiet.

Later in the day, I headed out about 6. As soon as we made it into the river bottom, we spotted a few elk in the dark timber. It was hard to get a shot due to all the trees plus in ranged 395 yards away. We decided to circle around to catch them heading up the hill. As soon as we made it to the base of the hill, all hell broke lose. Something spooked them bad as the herd bull never leads but there he was. Usually what happens is the bull sends the cows out first to make sure all is ok. I think it was a mountain lion that spooked them as I had seen a calf kill by one 10 minutes earlier. So out of the timber came this massively large 6 point monster charging right for me. When he saw me he veered up the hill and right behind him were probably 20 cows (female elk). Behind them were 4 more bulls, (males). I swung with the lead bull and tried to shoot him at about 250 yards (2 1/2 football fields for most of you) but first missed behind him and then over his back. I then turned my attention to the trailing bulls but had to wait for the females to go by them. Once they were passed them, I shot at the lead bull and down he went. He tried to get up once and then again and then a third time when I saw all four legs in the air. Thinking for sure he was down, I eased up over the ridge. To my surprise, he wasn’t there! My guide and I searched until dark when we finally spotted him way up the mountain bugling at us as if to say, I got away. I knew I hit him from him falling and we spotted blood on his shoulder through the binoculars. What happened though was I hit a void which is the spot right behind the shoulder where there are no vital organs or bones and the bullet must have went right through him. Now these animals are so freakin tough and at this time of year, really fat, that their fat just sucks in around the hole and closes it up.

Not wanting to push him out of the valley, we decided to head back to camp and take up the search at 5am in the morning. Hopefully I’ll find him in the morning. More to come, God Bless.

It’s a beautiful morning! The foliage outside out deck is beginning to turn, gorgeous orange, lime green, chartreuse, and golden yellow. The view out the window is stunning!

The boys and I did not make it through Colossal. We were all tired from our eventful day. I failed to mention that while Ty was skateboarding and learning to “drop in”, he got sweaty and took off his helmet. Of course he feel backwards off the skateboard, saved his casted arm, but hit his back and scraped his elbow. One of his friends posted a video of the fall onto Snapchat and I saw it while I was looking over Jagger’s shoulder. It looked like whiplash and he is really lucky he didn’t hit his head or break his other arm. Needless to say, I grabbed Jagger and we went straight to town to pick Ty up. Please keep this on the down low for a year or two!

I took Mojo for his daily hike up the mountain behind us and he’s now crashed out on the deck. He adores the cool mornings almost as much as Doug enjoys Fall.

Doug had a nice time hunting yesterday and the 82 year old man that is part of the group got his Elk yesterday. Doug thinks he’ll probably get one this morning and be home tonight. I’ll keep you all posted.

Ty is cleaning his room and he just called down to me, “Mom, I need a lot of help”. Imagine that…

I’m off to help Ty. Have a great day.

Obviously, I forgot I was on Blog duty. Fortunately, Uncle Tommy sent me a text reminder.

Doug is off on his hunting expedition. He hiked in 9 miles this morning and found a medium sized buck, but he said he wouldn’t kill anything that wasn’t really big so he hiked back out. I had planned to go  I’m hopeful the animals are all small.

I planned to go to Denver to see Grandma Lois today, but the traffic cameras showed horrible traffic coming back up to Vail, so I’ll wait a day or two.

Ty went into town and met up with friends. They skateboarded and swam most of the day. Jagger and I hung out and walked down to the Minturn Market for lunch. After lunch we went down to the river for a couple of hours and I asked if he would like to try his hand at driving. He said it was illegal and I said we are on a dirt road so it’s fine.

I turned off the car and had him buckle up, adjust the mirrors and start the car. He drove very well! We practiced turn signals, stopping and parking uphill. Again, he drove very well. We took a drive(I drove) up to Cordierra to see some of the trees changing colors and then headed back to town to pick up Ty. Once we had Ty onboard we went to dinner with no phones allowed. We had a really nice time and I learned a lot about both boys.

We’re all in my bed watching the movie, Colossal. I’ll write a longer post tomorrow.

Goodnight and God Bless

Today I’m off to Pyramid Peak to go hunting. Lori has an early meeting at 7:30 and I need to pack up and get the boys moving. Both are slowly getting better. Yesterday I drove down to see my Mom who we think is slowly getting better too. The doctor thinks her slow recovery is due to the absorption, or lack there off, her Parkinson’s medicine. We think she’s getting better every day but will increase the dose in a day or so if we don’t see progress. We’re hoping she eats some solid food today.

I have lots to do and Lori just came down after showering and it’s 6 am so I guess I’d better get moving. It’s going to be hot this weekend which is not what I prefer for hunting but it is what it is. This year I’m going to be really selective about my elk. I have plenty of meat in the freezer from last year so I won’t just shoot any animal I see. Hunting is about hunting, not killing an animal which is what most people think.

Lori will be doing the blog for the next 3 to 5 days as I don’t have internet or phone access where I am. They do have a land line and Lori will have my number for emergencies. Have a great holiday weekend and we’ll talk to you next week. Take care and God Bless.

Both boys were home again yesterday with Ty having the worst of it. They have to go to school today as they can’t fall behind. Jag is all caught up but Ty has a project he has to be at school for.

I’m going to try to get to Denver today to see my Mom. I guess she called Tommy last night requesting an egg salad sandwich, some Frito’s and an Orange Fanta. This is great news as long as she eats it. Hopefully she’s turning the corner as far as eating goes and then she can go home.

Lori is working away and she and I are just fighting to not get sick! I’m eating raw garlic as often as I can and of course Lori says it stinks. I don’t care as long as I don’t get sick. I’m off tomorrow hunting and cannot get sick!

It’s 5:29 now and I woke up around 4:34. That’s about the time I’ll get up each morning when I’m hunting so I decided to just get out of bed anyhow.

Guess I’ll run now, hope everyone is well, take care and God Bless.