Category: Family

Carol came up Friday to spend a few days. She rode up with Jill, a neighbor who was coming to a family reunion. Ted came over for dinner and Jeb came over after his plane landed at 7:40 p.m. (from San Antonio). We enjoyed having 2 of our boys and our darlin dorter – lots of laughs and fun being together.

Saturday, Ted, Carol & I went to the tile store to pick out tile for the hall bath. Then Carol, Grandaddy, and I went to Athens to see Fiona in her dance recital. We had such a good visit with Grant, Jami, Fiona and Michael. Fiona was precious in her recital. Here are some pictures:

Jill called Saturday and said she needed to get back to Lakeland on Sunday, so they left a day early. Sunday morning, Carol, Grandaddy and I went to Mass and it was a wonderfully, joyful Mass. The music, the presider (Father Bede) and his homily were all very special. Carol left to go pick up Jill and her son, Sam, after that. They got home to Lakeland at 8 p.m.

Ed and Mary were married at the historic Christ Church at St. Simons on Saturday, November 11th. It was a beautiful day and a lovely wedding. The reception was at the King and Prince Hotel where we stayed many years ago for some Georgia/Florida games. We arrived on Friday to attend the Rehearsal Dinner that evening, and then drove to Tybee after the wedding for a week of time share. It’s fun being retired!

In August 2005, we were vacationing with Margie and Captain Jack in Ft. Myers, and talked about Danny being at Springhill College as a freshman. We also talked about Uncle Bill O’Leary, a Jesuit priest and Grandaddy’s mother’s brother (only boy of 6 children), who was president of Springhill back in World War II. I asked Margie if she would be willing to paint a portrait of Fr. Bill for Danny to present to the school. There is a freshman dorm named O’Leary Hall, and we thought that might be a good place for it to hang. Margie said she needed a project and would be glad to paint the portrait. She needed pictures to go by, and they were furnished by Kay.

Margie actually finished the painting in January or February of this year and sent it to Atlanta for us to have framed and to find out if Springhill would like to have it. I asked Edward to write a biography about Uncle Bill, took a picture of the painting, and I wrote a letter to the president, Fr. Lucey. Upon receipt of this package, he called me and said they would very much like to have the painting. He first put me in touch with Dr. May, his assistant who is in charge of the entire buildings and grounds. She thought it would be best to wait until the fall season to have the presentation.

I was then turned over to Fr. Mark Lewis, another assistant to Fr. Lucey, who is the archivist for the school. Together, by emails, we planned to have the presentation in late October.

Grandaddy and I drove down to Mobile Monday, October 30th, and the presentation and unveiling was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in O’Leary Hall. We arrived at the school about 3:00 p.m. and Danny took us on a tour. We visited Danny’s dorm, the beautiful church that reminds me of a cathedral, the Administration Building where the Rotunda is located with the portraits of all those who have served as president since 1830, the baseball field where Danny pitched 5 innings on Sunday and won the game, and the cemetery where Fr. Bill is burried. It was an absolutely perfect day with blue skies, plenty of sunshine, and about 70 degrees.

We arrived at O’Leary Hall about 4:10 p.m. and Fr. Mark was waiting for us. He had arranged to have a reception following the unveiling with cold drinks and cookies. Fr. Lucey, Dr. May, some students and several of the administrative staff attended. Fr. Mark read some of the biography written by Edward, and there were flyers on all of the doors with Margie’s profile and a picture of Uncle Bill. When it came time to unveil the portrait, Danny was asked to do the honors. He did it very meticulously and everyone applauded. It was a nice ceremony.

After the reception, Grandaddy,Danny, Fr. Mark and I were invited to have dinner in the President’s Dining Hall. Fr. Lucey rode over with us, took us on a tour of the new offices, and invited us to have drinks in the sitting room overlooking the city of Mobile. Afterwards, we were escourted into the gorgeous dining room, with Waterford chandellier, huge and beautiful break-front, lovely chairs and banquet table. Fr. Lucey entertained us during dinner with many stories about the school and those who support it in various ways. The dinner was delicious and elegantly served. Danny seemed to enjoy it as much as we did and I can verify that both of us loved it.

After dinner we dropped Danny off at his dorm and went back to the motel. The next morning we attended 7:30 a.m. Mass in the quaint chapel by the cemetery we had visited the day before. Fr. Lucey celebrated the Mass. The chapel holds about 30 people and it was full. Fr. Lucey gave a very meaningful sermon about the tiny mustard seed and the yeast, each becoming something so much larger and better. He said that every small thing we do for God grows and makes a huge difference. It was a very spiritual ending to a memorable trip.

Since Nicole could not come to Grandaddy’s birthday party, she came to dinner Monday night, Oct. 16th, and spent the night. We invited Elizabeth to come to dinner, too, since she has now moved to Atlanta and we had not seen her since she moved back. Elizabeth had a college friend visiting her, named Ebony, and she came also. Grandaddy had the best time with these 3 girls as his audience. They are fun to be with and we appreciate them coming. Nicole and Elizabeth already have plans to get together again!

Yesterday, Jeb showed up at the door with a cooler of Guiness and Harp for him and Dad to have a black and tan while he worked on installing wireless internet. He also came with a tool box. About 30 minutes later, and just in time, Ted came over with no cooler and no tool box to work on the same project. They all had a couple of black and tans before they started working, and then we had lunch. Dad had some questions about wireless and they were able to answer all of them. One was “does the attic fan interfere with wireless?” “Yes” was the answer. “It sucks all of your data right up into your attic and then the neighbors can get to it.” They worked for literally hours getting us all set up. Jeb installed a card in the Mac, he and Ted both worked on the Dell to get it all set up, and Ted worked on the laptop. Well, we’re up and running. This is very exciting. I am sitting in the kitchen writing this blog.

Thank you both, boys. You are very good children…..

Love,

Mom

Carol called tonight about 7:00 and asked what I was doing this time 45 years ago. I told her that I had picked Patsy up at the airport and we were riding in the Varsity to get some dinner. In those days, they had curb-side service and the guys would hop on your car and ride with you to wherever you parked it and take your order. Patsy was only 16 and she was in “Hog Heaven” (the right place to be – at the Varsity). Dad was in Sumpter, SC on business, and Jeb wasn’t suppose to be making his appearance this early, but lo and behold, I went into labor the very next morning and Auntie P drive me down 85 to St. Joseph’s Hospital in the heart of downtown Atlanta. She had not had a driver’s license very long since she has just turned 16 in January. I remember her complaining that she was sorry she had not remembered to bring her sunglasses because everybody else driving their cars on 85 had on sunglasses.

Patsy and I checked into the hospital and it wasn’t long before Dr. Weinburg helped me to deliver a 7 pound beautiful baby boy. Patsy was the first one to see Jeb. Dan came home as soon as he found out and was there when I woke up. It was a very happy day and the beginning for lots of happiness that Jeb has brought to me and Dad for the past 45 years. Thank you, son.

Love,

Mom

For: Nicole, Danny, Eric, Kelly, David, Mary Claire, Andrew, Fiona and Michael

From: Gramalie

1. We are creatures of habit. Form habits that you are proud of or don’t mind admitting.

2. Start each day with a prayer (as long or short as you have time for), but try at least to thank God for “You” and ask Him to help you to make a difference in someone’s life that day.

3. Be a leader when you know deep down that it is the right thing to do.

4. Search for happy thoughts, and don’t let things like greed, jealousy, or feeling sorry for yourself possess you.

5. When you feel lonely (and everybody has those moments, so it’s o.k.), think of a way you could brighten someone else’s day – and do it!

6. When someone goes the extra mile for you, return that mile to someone else. There’s always someone you know who could really use some thoughtfulness from you.

7. Smile more than frown. It’s not always easy to smile, but when you do it works two ways:

(a) it brings a little happiness to the person you are smiling at — and

(b) it brings even more happiness to you.

8. When something good happens and you know it – STOP – savor the moment and plant it firmly in your memory.

9. Put something “big” in your future – to plan for, dream about, and hope for – something you know can happen and you can make it happen. When it happens, enjoy, be proud that it worked, write it down so you can remember the details and enjoy reading it for years to come! Then – plan something else.

10. Be a friend. Treat others the way you would like for them to treat you.

11. It’s easy to get caught up in a project or job and allow it to take all of your attention. Keep one antenna up so you can plug in to your family and friends. Remember, they are not involved with that project – but they are involved with you.

12. Allow people the joy of doing something for you. A hug is sometimes all they need in return.

13. If you are having a “bad day”, chalk it off as “just a bad day”, and start the next day with a prayer and a song. Don’t let “bad days” become “bad weeks”, “bad months” or “bad years”. Remember, you are in control of you.

14. Keep a diary of your vacations. Write at the end of each day, not at the end of the vacation. You’ll be glad you did!

15. Eat, exercise, and rest sensibly. It takes all three of those to stay well and strong, but also helps you to be ready for whatever comes.

16. Read something each day to enrich your mind and add new depths to your way of thinking, feeling and being. (i.e.: a news essay, the Bible, a poem, etc)

17. Keep your “what ifs” in the future. Don’t look back and say “what if”. You can’t change the past – but you can think through great possibilities for things to come.

18. Let the person(s) who loves you the most know that you love them, too – OFTEN! Tell them, show them.

19. Frequently analyze something in nature – a rose, a sunset, a tree, a mountain, – and allow yourself to be in awe of these wonders.

20. Don’t quit or give up when you are striving for something worthwhile. There are always more options! Believe in yourself!

21. Take time to make a difference for someone you don’t know. Reach out a helping hand where you see the need. You don’t have to give your entire savings or your entire time, but every little bit makes a difference.

22. Be aware of preserving our natural resources. Take care of and pride in Mother Earth!

23. Enjoy family gatherings. Use them as opportunities for bonding. Blood is thicker than water.

24. Take time to listen. Take time to share. That’s the pulse of relationships.

25. Be generous with compliments and stingy with criticism.

26. When in doubt, pray and be still for a while. Then carry on with faith and trust. Same thing goes for fear, anxiety and confusion.

27. Allow yourself to forgive someone who hurts you. Those who hurt others are most often hurting, themselves.

28. Get to really know yourself and like yourself. It’s much easier to like others if you like YOU.

29. Know always that I love you very much.

The “children” outdid themselves this year for Dad. They surprised him with markers for his backyard Stations of the Cross. He couldn’t have been more pleased and could “never have guessed in a million years what was in the box.” We have such good children!

Jami, Fiona and Michael, Ted, Jeb, Kathy, Nicole, Kelly and Claire came over early afternoon and we had bloody mary’s and a sub-sandwhich and trimmings lunch. Kathy brought delicious cookies and Ted brought a watermelon. Dan and the boys installed the markers in the backyard. We had such a fun day, then left for a wedding scheduled at 6 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. Fiona and Kelly spent the night because Fiona is staying the week with us for Kaleidoscope and Kelly stayed to “babysit” her.

   

This week started the last day of April 2006. Mary Lou called and asked if I would swap Adoration hour with her. Perfect, I would take her 4:00 PM time slot and she would take my 10:00 AM at the precise hour I was scheduled to have an Heart Catherization. I went to sleep contented that things were falling in to place and I might make my Ireland trip on May 18 after all.

Monday morning the Cardiologist’s nurse called and said the procedure was canceled because the lab tests indicated I was anemic. What is that! She said call your Primary Doctor. That is easier said than done. I jumped thru the hoops: call Advice Nurse, leave word, Nurse calls back, she will give Doctor message, surprise, Doctor calls back and tells me that we have to find out what is causing the anemia. He’ll see if he can fit me in for an emergency Colonoscopy. Bad news! They think some kind of cancer might be the cause. A GI person calls and reports they have me scheduled at Northside Hospital for a 12:30PM procedure and be there at 11:30 and oh yeah you know you can’t eat anything after midnight tonight and only liquids Tuesday and Wednesday. Also you have to drink a gallon of Colyte, a laxative between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM Tuesday. Also again “Don’t forget to bring someone with you to drive you home”. Bad day. Should I call brother Bob and tell him the Ireland trip looks doubtful for me. No, I don’t know what is going on, I’ll wait.

Tuesday, nothing to eat, but it gets worse at 6:00 PM. When I was college age there was a craze that said a person couldn’t drink an ounce of beer per minute for sixty minutes. This was a little like that but Colyte is not beer and beer is not a laxative. This was bad, bad. Eight ounces every 15 minutes and after 30 minutes the “john” got involved. At 10:00 PM I said I had had enough and was quitting after I had finished 80%. Mom said she didn’t blame me but she didn’t think I had finished 75%. I went to bed feeling the worst of the colonoscopy was over.

Wednesday, Mom got me to Northside Hospital on time. I checked in while Mom parked and noticed we got a free parking ticket. Very good, Mom hates to pay for parking (water and ice too). They started wiring me up and I remembered I hadn’t told Mom about the free parking ticket and she would be some kind of upset if she paid for parking when I had a free ticket. I told myself over and over “Remember the free ticket”. They wheeled me in the procedure room and the Doctor said he was going to do an Endoscopy also. I told him I would gag like crazy when they put that thing down my throat.” I gag when I go to the dentist.” He said he did too and not to worry. The last thing I remember was worrying about him doing the mouth thing first and not vice versa. (Jeb later told me they had two instruments, but I didn’t see but one and Jeb wasn’t there). I woke up talked a little bit and Mom drove me home where she fixed me what my heart and stomach desired, Eggs, bacon, grits, bagel and coffee. She told me the nurse got upset with me after the procedure because I kept saying “Make sure you get the free parking ticket”. The good news was he didn’t find any cancer, but the bad news was I still had anemia and the Ireland date was approaching.

Thursday was a frustrating day I called three Doctor offices to find out what was next on the agenda. No luck. The nurses said the report was not available.

Friday morning the Cardiologist’s called and said I should get my blood checked. This puzzled me somewhat because I knew the colonoscopy didn’t cure my anemia. As soon as I left the house unbeknownst to me Mom got into the act. She called the doctors’ nurses and told them I had been planning a trip to Ireland for over a year and three other people were depending on me to go. I received a call in the waiting room and Mom said I had an appointment at 11:40 with Dr. Simpson, my primary doctor. He had already had a conversation with the Cardiologist and they had a plan. If I still had anemia I would get a blood transfusion. As it turned out the lab tests revealed my anemia was still present. Dr. Simpson arranged for the transfusion to take place Saturday AM.

Saturday at 7:55 AM I drove into the parking garage and got my ticket. The location was on the 11th floor in a new building adjacent to the hospital. The facilities were first rate and a nice nurse named Nicole took very good care of me as I had two pints of O- dripped into my system. It was all over by 11:45 and I left at 12:15. Surprise, surprise, the parking booth was closed and I didn’t have to pay. I wished Mom had been with me , she would have appreciated that.

The week is up I’ll see if I can cut the grass then see how I feel. I thank all those who prayed for me. I know there were a lot, from Fiona to Mrs. Deckbar and many in between. I thank God that he answered the prayers and now allows me to seek His will for me for the rest of my days. Amen

I went to an adult ed class this morning on the Chronicles of Narnia. Dad and I watched Ted’s movie Friday night and enjoyed it very much. I have never read the book “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”, but saw the play in Lakeland with 3 grandsons and one granddaughter, and am very familiar with the book. This was the second week of a 2 part lecture on it and I couldn’t imagine what our fabulous Bible Study teacher could talk about for two weeks in regard to this book.

It was great…. I mean, really great. I just wonder who in our family has read the The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and the other 6 books about Narnia? I’m all inspired, now, and want to read all of them. You all would really have enjoyed the class.

The other 6 books are: Prince Capian, The Horse and His Boy, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Magician’s Nephew, and The Last Battle.

Louanne will continue the lectures and we will read all of the above, then discuss. Dates aren’t set, yet, but if anybody wants to come, let me know.