Friday, May 21, 2010

San Diego

In Feb. Lincoln and Alena invited Randy and I to hang out at a condo with them in San Diego - Coronado Island to be exact.  It was a lay-low vacation of sorts meant to get me to rest from my labors - something my health was forcing me to do anyway at the time.  We booked for the 3rd week in April.  All the while I was wondering if the whole thing would fly because of Grandpa.  He was going downhill and I didn't know how he would be and if I would be able to leave.   Well, Grandpa surprised us all by exiting the scene on April 10.  (I can hear Grandma saying, "Lloyd, get over here.  You aren't going to mess up Lloya's vacation.)  Then we thought the funeral would be scheduled on the day we were suppose to leave.  The mortuary had told us there were no openings earlier.  We also had to get Grandpa shipped to Denver.  We called back Monday to verify the week-from-Tues. date for the funeral when lo and behold they had gone ahead and scheduled it on Friday.  Ft. Logan Cemetery fit us in as well which previously had been a problem.  So true Frey style we pulled together a funeral in four days, all of us re-located to Denver and everything came off fabulously.  So, the end point of this story is we were able to go to San Diego!  I'm putting my money on Grandma being the mover and shaker here.  And of course, if the plans hadn't have worked I would have been just fine taking care of Grandpa.


It was great to have some time with Randy.  Life is busy and we don't get that too often.


I like this picture of Randy.




Lincoln, Alena and Townsend were great hosts.


It was cold and rainy much of the time but we did brave the swimming pool on the one sunny day.


Townsend's first swim.


The first merry-go-round ride at Del Sol.


A house with personality right across from the beach.


Thanks Lincoln and Alena and Towns.  It was great fun.

Caitlin's doings....


Monday night Caitlin was inducted to the National Honor Society.  (Applause, applause!) 



Getting a "normal" picture of her is certainly a proposition (meaning it takes lots of scolding and bribery!)


 Finally!


Enough is enough...


Gotcha!


"Mooooooom!  Stop!

Tuesday night was Caitlin's choir concert.  The picture taking was slightly improved.  She knew a Jamba  was at stake.

Oops - I guess change is short lived.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Cameron plays sax....

Tues. night Cameron received a music award for his 8th grade saxophone skills.  Congratulations Cameron!

Congratulations Bethany.

Bethany is now a bachelor - of English Literature that is.  Bethany received her degree from UVU Friday, April 30, 2010.

The procession....

 Hey Bethany - we are proud of you!
Favorite professor Deb
Kimberly and Isabella offer congrats.
 Bethany and Kip celebrate at dinner.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

My Mother's Day Card

I'm taking my children up on this offer to table circumspection once in a while.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Loose ends.....deja vu.

I'm slowly getting the loose ends tied up from my Dad's passing.  Last Monday I drove out to Greenwood Assisted Living where he was staying at the time of his death to give them a thank you gift.  My Dad loved chocolate so a box of See's to share among his caregivers seemed like a fitting token of appreciation.  As I drove up into the drive way a sense of sacredness and reverence engulfed me.  Here was the last spot on earth where my Dad lived in his body and from whence he took his departure.  Finding Greenwood was an answer to our prayers.  It is a small facility that houses up to 16 residents.  My Dad's room was just off the large common area which includes a lounge, dining area etc.  Every time I have entered that building I've felt a comforting, warm, spirit and ambiance.  I'm sure there are angels in attendance there.  Perhaps because most of these residents at Greenwood are closer to being on their way out.  As I walked in I passed by the door to my Dad's former room.  It was closed.  I thought about peeking  in for a second but I didn't know if someone had moved in already.

I gave the gift and thank you card to a staff member. She gave me a bag containing a couple of things we had left and a sympathy card from the staff.  "To Lloyd's Family" was written on the outside envelope.  I was struck by the tenderness I sensed in those words.  I've not realized before how comforting and touching small sentiments of sympathy can be at the death of a loved one.  The card read "Thank you for letting us take care of your Dad.  He was a very sweet and loving man.  I enjoyed playing Bingo with him.  He loved it when he won.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this hard time.  Love, Everyone at Greenwood." 

His passing hasn't been necessarily hard however.  It is an odd combination of moments of sudden sorrow and missing him along with feelings of great relief that the hard time of the past year is over. I would describe it more as intense and refining than hard. 

As I drove away it was a deja vu.  Late afternoon on the 10th of April I had pulled out of that driveway with most of my Dad's mortal possession in the back of my van.  His life had been reduced to several pictures, some articles of clothing, a couple of blankets and pillows and a few small personal items.  I was sobbing uncontrollably then.  I did so again.

I wouldn't ask for his return.  His life was complete.  I'm just grateful for the love and the million lifetime human moments that contribute to the sorrow of losing my father.  I know he exists somewhere and that that somewhere is not all that far away.  When I think of him I actually sense his younger more vigorous self as opposed to an aged, frail and broken body.  I know I will see him again in a few years when it's my turn to "go over."