This past month has brought on more challenges to my psyche than I ever thought imaginable. On February 12th, Rob & I returned to California to say goodbye to his father, who we both were so very close to. It still does not seem possible that Papa Earl is physically gone from our lives. He was our contact back home to Sonoma...he really told us how things were...and now he is not there to talk to.It was really an emotional return home. Recently I took his contact name off of my Skype list...it is one of those things that I struggle with in this new age of technology...I still need to update my e-mail list. More tears are sure to follow.
On March 13, we had another shock jolt our psyches. One of our Dearest friends, whom we hold so close to our hearts, suffered a blow no parent should ever have to experience. Her son had been laying in a coma for a week. And now it has been more than three weeks. First of all, I need to let you all know that what ever we might be feeling...it is nowhere near what she is going through. If any of you believe in a higher spirit...now is the time to pray. Please pray for her son to come out of this coma with full brain function. We can not even comprehend the gravity of what our friend is going through. We can only hope and pray that he comes back to us with full brain function.
Funny how life experiences play such a huge part in what you feel. I know now ...and I know forever...my friendship with my friend is so important. It is so important for us to let each other know how important we are to each other. It is so difficult being so far away...I would love to be able to be there helping in anyway I know how to help...as a friend. I weep over this...and I pray like crazy!!
Rob & I are also still reeling from the loss of Rob's father, Earl. We both have good days, and bad days. Some days you wonder...is this real?? I see photos from past family events, and I fall into a mush of tears. Rob's dad is really so much more to me than a father-in-law...he was really a father to me.
So sorry if this post has made you feel...but, my experience has taught me...feeling is a good thing. Please pray for my friend, and especially for her son!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
It Has Been A While
Where does the time fly...it seems like yesterday we were going through customs with our caravan of luggage behind us. It was the first days of Summer when we arrived, today it is the 5th day of Autumn. There is a definite change in the light and the weather. Even if you think you are organized to do a move out of the country...think again, because as I have found...there are many little details that have been overlooked. And, some of the silliest things, like file folder tabs that you left behind...are impossible to find here to fit your file folders. When you are trying to organize paper & files...this is just a little thing, but for me it is important. Also...I don't think we will ever find anything that even closely resembles good salsa...I pine for Herdez Green Salsa! Anyone coming to visit will be required to bring with them a case of canned Herdez salsa for our pantry.
After coming home from our Hawaiian vacation, we thought we would have time to actually settle in here at our cozy, little apartment. However, calls and e-mails from home were coming frequently to update us on Papa's condition, as he lay in a hospital in Sonoma for 2 weeks. What a roller coaster ride of emotions! The difficult part for us is that we were so far away. We couldn't just jump in the car, and go to be with Papa. Then, Thursday, February 12 Rob rang me to say that he had booked 2 tickets for that same evening, because it was time to get home to say goodbye to Papa. I don't even remember how I packed...only that I did not pack properly, as it was 88 degrees, and fully humid when I was packing. Forgot how cold winter really is in CA. The traffic to the airport was unreal. We made the flight, but we were the last people to check in. And if I thought the flight coming over to NZ was long in December, this flight seemed like we would never get off that plane. We arrived at 10:45 am on the 12 of February...Sounds neat, gaining hours...except that it makes for one of the longest days of your life.
When we arrived in SF, and got sorted with the car, we drove straight to the hospital. Papa was lucid, recognized us, and was surprised and happy that we were there. Even though everyone in the family tried to prepare us, we weren't prepared for how Papa looked. The family had been rallying everyday, for those two weeks. There were really hopeful days, and then the days when Papa would slip back. The day we arrived, Papa was holding court...telling one line jokes as he responded to our questions. It wasn't easy to understand, but some of his hand gestures helped to convey the message. It was a huge relief the next morning to be able to get him home, and out of that hospital. I think once the decision was made it was a matter of a few short hours before we had a bed delivered & made up, and Papa was transported by ambulance to his home. Hospice really makes things happen. Papa was truly surrounded by his loving family at his home.
It all has been so surreal. Like it never really happened, and it is all just a bad dream. However, I know otherwise. It was amazing how quickly the family got a service organized, before we had to fly back to NZ. There were some really great stories and memories shared. We were so spoiled having Papa so close to us in Sonoma, to bounce ideas and recipes back and forth. We would be the lucky ones to always receive his fresh tomatoes, basil, lemons, limes, and peaches. Those peaches were like candy! Last summer, after Matt & Nina's wedding, I went over to the house to help Papa pick peaches. He sat on the lounge and told me all kinds of stories about his life while I picked the tree bare. I had boxes of peaches, and since we were leaving for Glenbrook, we took the peaches to the annual family gathering. When I had my knee surgery in September, Papa and Grandma came over with the cutest little meatloaf, and a salad for me & Rob. Well, Papa, last night I made your famous meatloaf, and we lifted a glass to you! What a gift it was at Christmas to receive Papa's cookbook. Many thanks to Sheila for getting that project to fruition. I will miss all my good times with you, Papa!! You will always be in my heart.
So where has the time gone? Can't really answer that...just trying to make our way here, and get more settled. I told Rob, when we got back a few weeks ago, that it felt good to be back in NZ...like we were home. I still miss you all, and I do love hearing from you. And I keep waiting to hear from some of you...Cheers, until next time!
After coming home from our Hawaiian vacation, we thought we would have time to actually settle in here at our cozy, little apartment. However, calls and e-mails from home were coming frequently to update us on Papa's condition, as he lay in a hospital in Sonoma for 2 weeks. What a roller coaster ride of emotions! The difficult part for us is that we were so far away. We couldn't just jump in the car, and go to be with Papa. Then, Thursday, February 12 Rob rang me to say that he had booked 2 tickets for that same evening, because it was time to get home to say goodbye to Papa. I don't even remember how I packed...only that I did not pack properly, as it was 88 degrees, and fully humid when I was packing. Forgot how cold winter really is in CA. The traffic to the airport was unreal. We made the flight, but we were the last people to check in. And if I thought the flight coming over to NZ was long in December, this flight seemed like we would never get off that plane. We arrived at 10:45 am on the 12 of February...Sounds neat, gaining hours...except that it makes for one of the longest days of your life.
When we arrived in SF, and got sorted with the car, we drove straight to the hospital. Papa was lucid, recognized us, and was surprised and happy that we were there. Even though everyone in the family tried to prepare us, we weren't prepared for how Papa looked. The family had been rallying everyday, for those two weeks. There were really hopeful days, and then the days when Papa would slip back. The day we arrived, Papa was holding court...telling one line jokes as he responded to our questions. It wasn't easy to understand, but some of his hand gestures helped to convey the message. It was a huge relief the next morning to be able to get him home, and out of that hospital. I think once the decision was made it was a matter of a few short hours before we had a bed delivered & made up, and Papa was transported by ambulance to his home. Hospice really makes things happen. Papa was truly surrounded by his loving family at his home.
It all has been so surreal. Like it never really happened, and it is all just a bad dream. However, I know otherwise. It was amazing how quickly the family got a service organized, before we had to fly back to NZ. There were some really great stories and memories shared. We were so spoiled having Papa so close to us in Sonoma, to bounce ideas and recipes back and forth. We would be the lucky ones to always receive his fresh tomatoes, basil, lemons, limes, and peaches. Those peaches were like candy! Last summer, after Matt & Nina's wedding, I went over to the house to help Papa pick peaches. He sat on the lounge and told me all kinds of stories about his life while I picked the tree bare. I had boxes of peaches, and since we were leaving for Glenbrook, we took the peaches to the annual family gathering. When I had my knee surgery in September, Papa and Grandma came over with the cutest little meatloaf, and a salad for me & Rob. Well, Papa, last night I made your famous meatloaf, and we lifted a glass to you! What a gift it was at Christmas to receive Papa's cookbook. Many thanks to Sheila for getting that project to fruition. I will miss all my good times with you, Papa!! You will always be in my heart.
So where has the time gone? Can't really answer that...just trying to make our way here, and get more settled. I told Rob, when we got back a few weeks ago, that it felt good to be back in NZ...like we were home. I still miss you all, and I do love hearing from you. And I keep waiting to hear from some of you...Cheers, until next time!
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