A poem that reminds me of Dad

Miss you Daddy!

As Death Approaches

I can't believe I'm laughing!
I'd have sworn I'd be
shaking or sniveling.
And I sure didn't expect
a limousine.
I've never been in a limousine.
No biggy.
I've had better than fame.
Who needs the pressure?
As for fortune, I'm filthy.
That's why I'm laughing.
I've had so much love:
the giving, the getting.
It's shameful.
It's embarrassing.
And it's too late.
No one can take it away!
And I've had the pain
to help me appreciate it.
Thank God for the pain!
Easy for me to say
now that I'm going!
But no, seriously,
the kicks in the teeth,
the gut, the rugs
pulled out, slammed doors,
setbacks, snubs.
Without them, I'd
never have recognized
Love, bedraggled,
plain eyes shining,
happy to see me.
Do I want more?
Of course I want more!
I always want more
of everything: money, hugs,
lovemaking, art, butter,
woods, flowers, the sea,
M&Ms, chips, tops, bottoms,
trips — I did give up drinking —
time, sure, and yes,
I'd like to see
my grandchildren,
if there are any.
I'd like to see my books
but more has never
been good for me anyway.
Enough — that's what I've
always needed to learn,
and is there a better way?
So this laughter
I had to work up to
through so many tears,
it just keeps coming
like a fountain, a spray.
Let it light on you
refreshment, benediction,
as I'm driven away.

Susan Deborah King, from One-Breasted Woman. © Holy Cow! Press, 2007

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A Note from Carolyn Mason in Seaside

I often think of his harrowing experience up here on the hill, when the boat trailer got away from him - well, it didn't exactly 'get away from him' - it took him with it! I said the most stupid thing I've ever said in my life - "Don't move, Mort, help is on the way!" Well, he was pinned underneath the trailer - I don't know exactly where I thought he was going to move to! Anyway, he didn't want any help! he just wanted that thing moved! He was a very brave guy - to say nothing about his sense of humor. He's been missed ever since you guys moved away - he always waved to me whenever he went past and I was out in the yard.

Who out there in Germany knows Dad?

Hi there - write to me if you're the reader from Germany!

thanks!

susie@scrollbar.com

From Karina, for her Grandpa

Our Love For Grandpa

Dear Jesus,

I hope you take good care of Grandpa like he took care of us. Jesus please let him be happy in Heaven. We thank you for giving him an opportunity to live on earth and have a good home and be a good husband, father, brother, uncle and a grandpa. We thank you for letting us have him.

Our Business in Seaside on Monday

We brought Dad's ashes down to Seaside on Monday, and it was so wonderful to be so warmly received by friends of mom and dad. Mom's friend Patsy had arranged for a reception at the Elks club, and the room was filled with a lot of close friends who remembered Dad fondly and wanted to make note of his passing. They had a lunch spread set out for us, and someone gave Mom the most aromatic yellow rose any of us had ever seen. It was all very sweet, and it was so wonderful to see Mom surrounded by old friends who love her. Mom is looking forward to heading down to Seaside again soon to reconnect with everyone she saw on Monday.

It was a beautiful day at the beach, and everything went just right. Like mom was saying, there just hasn't been anything "wrong" with Dad's passing and working through his final arrangements. From the party on Saturday (separate post to come on that, with pictures!) to scattering his ashes at the beach, it has all gone so beautifully. Well, I can think of one thing. Jocelyn and Brooke determined that the Razor Clams they ordered in honor of Daddy at Doogers in Seaside were a tad over breaded. But, otherwise... perfect.







p.s. this is one of my all time favorite pictures of Mom. Love you Momma!

Memorial Tattoos!

Marcia, Jocelyn, Brooke and I got memorial tattoos in honor of daddy last week.



This is the one Jocelyn and Marcia got, close up. I love how the heart is plump and juicy.



Here's a close up of mine - Brooke's is very similar to mine, although hers says "G-Pa" rather than "Dad", and her letters are on the outside of the heart, rather than the inside.




Here we are waiting for our turn at the tattoo parlor.



(I am posting this picture of me to prove I have no vanity.)


And here's Brooke, and then me, actually getting the ink.





Here's to ya, Daddy!


- Susie

A note from Frank (father in law of Susie)

I have a lot of great memories of Mort, but one of my favorites was an incident at your wedding in Hawaii. Mort and I were tasked with bringing stuff from the condo up to Princeville where the wedding and reception were taking place.We got to Princeville (about a 40 minute drive from the condo) only to find we'd forgotten something. I can't even remember what it was, but it was important enough that we had to high-tail it back, pick it up, and get back in time for the ceremony.When we arrived back at the condo (which was on the second floor), we found that the front door was locked and we didn't have a key.

We went into an open condo next door, went out on the balcony, and leaned over and looked around the wall at the balcony and back door of the unit that was locked to see if we could see anyone. All we saw was the back sliding door and we wondered out loud whether it was locked or not.

I started to problem solve the situation and mentioned something about seeing if the front office had a key or a ladder when your dad grabbed the rail and a drain pipe and launched himself over the rail, around the separating wall, and onto that adjoining balcony.

Quite a feat with a cement pool deck below!

I suspect you'd say that was just like him.

I think he was the inspiration for the Nike slogan,
"Just Do It!".

- Frank

PS: The rear slider was open and we made it back in time to see you guys get hitched......