Gifts

I've come to realize the importance of gifts this past week. Gifts don't have to be wrapped up in a package with a pretty bow. My first gift was a hard one: visiting Dad in the nursing home, not knowing it would be his last day. I read from a Larry McMurty book called Boone's Lick. He had started that book last summer for something to do during his monthly infusions. Dad had several visitors on this last day. It was a gift to meet with them and learn how Dad had touched their lives. These encounters were really uplifting and will not be forgotten.

After Dad passed, I contacted as many of his friends that I could find to let them know. This is when I recieved a second wave of gifts. Dad had lots of friends! I mean LOTS! It seems that once Dad made a friend, you were a friend for life. He had friends from his childhood that he still kept in contact with, not to mention his 'golfing buddies', and even Mom's co-workers! I was blessed to have found Dad's old-fashioned rolodex wheel. Through scratched out phone numbers and worn out yellowed cards, I was able to contact MORE friends.

The gifts continued! Condolences, well-wishes, blessings, offerings of support and meals. I was hearing and reading about my Dad through the memories of others. Heart-felt stories, funny stories, typical "Jimmy" antics! Family members shared childhood memories. Some of these stories were new to me, while some were not. I listened to them and heard them differently this time. I appreciated these stories, longed for them.

Dad struggled with his health for a very long time. He was lovingly and jokingly called 'our kitty'. He overcame Polio as a child, beat the West Nile virus, lived with Diabetes and Myasthena Gravis. Later, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Then...he broke a hip. While losing Dad was certainly not a gift, his passing gave him peace. No more pain. No more suffering. The comfort in knowing Dad is no longer suffering is a gift.

My fourth gift has been with me for 43 years, my brother. Two years ago, my brother and I started on a journey that molded us into adult caregivers. Our Mom entered hospice in 2008 and passed away in 2009. I was in a position to fly home every 3-4 weeks to help with her care. My brother took the reins when Dad fell last November. Dad needed him close to home. I wrestle with the guilt of not living closer, but recognize the gift of my brother's sacrifice to care for Dad day-to-day.

You may know this man as 'Jim', 'Jimmy', 'Jimbo', 'James', or simply 'McDowell'. I know him as 'Dad'. The best gift of all!

Today

My Dad passed away today. We are so incredibly sad, but take comfort in knowing he is with his beloved wife, our mother, Ruth, in eternal peace. I love Dad's service pictures. He was so young and handsome. I spent this weekend with Dad. He didn't talk much, in fact, he didn't talk at all. I got to take care of him one last time.

"I enlisted on 20 Nov. 1952 and was assigned as an Airman basic to Lackland AF base for Basic training. Promoted to A/3c and assigned to Francis Warren AFB on Feb. 18, 1953. On June 4, 1953 I reported to Camp Kilmer NJ. For assignment overseas. Spent 10 day on a troop ship crossing the Atlantic to Bremerhaven Germany. Put on a rail car through some of the worst hit towns during WWII. I will never forget the devastation we inflicted on Germany. You couldn't help but notice all of the women and very few men. You could get anything you wanted for a pack of cigarettes. We road that train to Paris where we immediately boarded another one headed to Bordeaux. We finally arrived there on July 3rd, 1953. That was my home in the tents for the next 36 months. Promoted to A/2c on June 1, 1954. Promoted to A/1c on February 1, 1956, I left France on June 4, 1956. On July 15, 1956 I reported to Biggs AFB, El Paso, Texas. Discharged from active duty November 19, 1956. I was released from the Reserves on November 19, 1960. I had the Good Conduct metal and the national defense service medal. I qualified as an expert marksman, and was on the rifle team with the highest ranking on our base. I had a secret clearance one of only two on our base. The other one was the base commander. I was in charge of all the ordinance on the base." James E. McDowell, 1/2003

Sister & Brother

I love to reminisce over old photos.
I remember this one like it was yesterday.
I thought my brother made a cute sister.

Miss Priss...Not ME!

I got this link from my cousin Wendy's blog. Sounded fun, so I thought I would play. The Prissy Meme

1. What is your favorite lipstick color and why? I have lots of lipsticks, but I wear light colors or just clear, because I don't really know how to match them all.

2. How long does it take you to get ready to go to work in the morning? About 30 minutes

3. Do you have your nails professionally done? Mani? Pedi? Yes, when I can afford to, or if I have an important event to attend.

4. Tell us about your latest spa experience - real or imagined. I get spa days at Christmas and Mother's Day from my family.

5. Is there something you'd like to change about your appearance? Would you ever have cosmetic surgery? Yes, less wrinkles! I broke my nose playing softball, so fixing that was cosmetic surgery, and insurance paid for it!

6. How do you take care of your skin? BeautiControl products

7. Tell us your secrets for vibrant, shiny, healthy-looking hair. Wen (from the infomercial and Meg's friend Louise!)

8. What is your favorite fragrance? Georgio

9. Everyone has a certain color they love to wear. What is yours? Blue

10. Do you have ink? Yes...two

11. How would you describe your personal style? From 'down-to-earth' to 'social work-ish'

Cropped

Finally!

Our Rodriguez family reunion was last summer and I'm just now getting the photos printed and into the album.

The first two pages are a combo from the cousin's pachanga at Urban's house and main event reunion at Danny's parent's house.

These next three pages are from our fushia family (the descendents of Alejandro AKA Papon).

Lots of dancing! Even Danny showed his 'Elaine' moves with Tia Bebe!

Lots of hugs! Marisa got her share, too!