A Gathering of Family

This past Sunday we had a birthday party for my Dad who turned 90 on June 8th.
It's a rare occasion when so many family members are in one place at the same time, so many pictures were taken. 

Me, brother Fred, Dad and sister Karen.

Cousin Doreen, cousin Joyce and Karen.

Dad, cousin Johnny, and Fred.

Doreen and Karen.

Dad and wife, Marion with Doreen, Karen and cousins Charlie, Paula, Dawn and Peggy.

Johnny and Doreen.

Karen, Freddie and me.

Sunday Skyping with Rosie on Tuesday

I wasn't able to Skype with Rosie on Sunday because it was my Dad's 90th birthday celebration.  So Gus surprised me this afternoon when he called to say that he and Rosie were home alone and were ready to Skype if I was - I was, so here are some photos of Rosie with her Dad.

 

  

Meeting Rosie

In a couple of weeks I'll be leaving for Portland to spend time with Gus and Meara and Rosie.  I will be there for Rosie's 1st birthday. So before seeing her for the second time, I thought I should post some pictures from our first meeting when she was just 2 weeks old.

I am an early riser.  I'm usually up at 4am which, I know from observing people's reactions when they hear that, is bizarre but it is my favorite time of the day.  Even in Portland I was awake by 4.  And babies being babies, Rosie did not let her Mom and Dad sleep much.  So Meara would nurse her and Gus would diaper her, and then I would get to hold her while they tried to catch an extra hour or so.  I would walk with her and sing to her.  I don't sing, but singing to babies just seems natural.  I sang Joanie Mitchell's 'Circle Game', just as I sang it for her Dad - badly but quietly.
Much of the time I sat with her and while she was so close I took pictures to savor when I got home.

                                                                                      Sleeping Rosie

Rosie faces

Drama Queen Rosie (wearing T.Rex shirt designed by her Dad)

Rosie with her Mom

Rosie with her Dad

Rosie with Slinky

Rosie with Gromma

Rosie with Meara and Gus

Rosie makes 3 generations

I can't believe she's going to be a year old.  Best year ever!

Father's Day Skyping with Rosie

It has been a sad week, so how wonderful to see my boy with his Rosie on Father's Day.  Right now nothing could heal my heart like this beautiful smile.

 

Bye for now my sweet ones.  Gromma loves you all.  

Happy 1st Father's Day to Gus !

My sweet baby boy will be celebrating his 1st Father's Day today.  

Rest in Peace Blackie (07/05/2004 - 06/13/2012)

This past Wednesday, 13 June 2012, I had to make the impossibly hard decision to let my Blackie go.  In the short two weeks since my last update on his condition, he declined rapidly.  He was no longer able to walk with me, he had to be coaxed to eat.  He did manage the stairs every night to make it to the bed so he never had to sleep alone.  And somehow last Sunday he found the strength to walk the trails with me one last time.  I didn't think he was up to it but he refused to turn back.  I am convinced he knew it was his last ramble, and it was a last gift to me.

 
Every dog, every pet, is loved.  But every so often, if lucky, there is one that you have a special and remarkable connection with.  I have been so blessed three times in my life.  First with my Beagle, Rip, who was my childhood friend; second with my Bear whom I wrote about in March (http://ddramblings.blogspot.com/2012/03/sad-anniversary.html), and then there was Blackie.

Blackie was sweet and sensitive.  He and I communicated in ways I can't explain.  He trusted me with his life and he was devoted to me in return.  I never thought I would lose him so soon.  While he likely had the cancer for quite some time, he showed no signs until the end when it was too late to do anything - indeed it is likely there was never a point when it could have been successfully treated.  He deteriorated fast but he never seemed to be in pain; he was loving and peaceful to the end.  The decision to let him go was the hardest I have ever been faced with.  Ultimately it was the only thing I could do for him.  He relied on me to do the right thing and I know that I did.  But I will miss him forever.