passing

My grandmother Annie passed away today. She was and always will be an inspirational figure in my life. She chuckled easily and listened intently. Very sharp and witty. She will be missed. Here is a video I took just a couple days before she passed.

 

A great spirit to the last.

I'm fortunate that I went to visit this past weekend. I received (and gave) hugs and kisses. She was delighted to see me. As I was her. So many memories of holidays in her warm house on Long Island. Playing on that property are some of the best times I had growing up. She always had tots and fudgsicles  in the freezer. Makes me smile even today recalling those fun snacks.

Rest in peace Annie.

Update: if you have a memory of Annie you'd like to share please do add it to the comments. I'd like to have a collection of them. When I have some time, I'm going to collect some of the things people have posted on Facebook here as well. Especially the photos and videos.

Zach Wahls Speaks About Family

One feels like one is watching a movie star who had 50 takes to get this right. One take - he nails it. Great job. Important message.

the fighter - a movie

The Fighter is excellent. Great acting by all involved. Good music and cinematography.

The character actors do a wonderful job in this film. Recommend.

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dot on the forehead

So there I was at my kids 5th birthday party. It was great, family, friends - even my sister was there. This was the "family" party. The "kid" party will be at our house tomorrow. The family party was part of our vacation to the North East.

Earlier in the day I had run into the little brother of an old friend of mine. This guy had really grown up; marines, IRAQ war vet, 2 kids, living in CA. I asked him about how he is doing and what he does for work now. Just kidding, but he is a sheriff's deputy. We had a nice chat - so I invited him, his family, and his parents to the party.

After the presents, the cake, and the kid fun, there was a group of us sitting around a fire in the backyard. I don't know how it came up - I think we were talking about how far we'd come to be there - the guy's wife starts loudly complaining about taking her kids shoes off at the airport. I take off my slip off shoes and recommend she gets some - easy on, easy off.

Nope, those are no good. She explains the floor of the airplane is full of germs she wants to protect her kids from - cause they'd take them right off. Huh? My kids eat off the floor just before napping under the seat in front of them...

Next she drops a bomb - something like: and what's with all the security crap? Do I look like I have an f'n dot on my forehead? At this point several things pop into my head:

• did she just really say that?
• aren't those dots a Hindu thing? aren't (Bush's) terrorists Islamic?
• would it be OK to correct her in front of everyone on the Hindu thing?

I said nothing. But my wife and I did both stand up and make our goodbyes. I guess we chose to speak with our feet.

I kinda regret it. She needed an education. But I just couldn't bring myself to make a scene at my mom's house, my kid's 5th birthday, in front of my seldom seen sister. Sigh.

What would you have done?