Look Dad, We Made It!!

Several years ago my folks went on a roadtrip. There ending destination was to be Mt. Rushmore with stops on the way visiting friends. Well, they got as far as West Yellowstone when my Dad started having problems with the altitude. He had to be airlifted to Idaho Falls. This meant my Mom had to drive the 120 miles or so from West Yellowstone to Idaho Falls at night. She made it fine, but it scared Debbie and me.

When I told Dad that Reg and I were going to Mt. Rushmore this fall, he laughed and said "good luck."

We're here Dad and you would have loved it! I miss you both so much!!

Hey Jimmy, Joe, John, Jim, Jack

Talk about a blast from the past..This was one of my family's favorite albums back from the 60's. The Limeliters..with Glenn Yarbrough. I think they were the original Limeliters, but not sure..anyway, I found the album on cd through Amazon...I was so excited when it arrived today..I played it and called Debbie and held my phone up to the speakers...then the tears! Sad tears, happy tears, tears of good memories and thankful for parents who loved music.

If I recall correctly, the Herkenhoff's, good family friends also loved this album too..I'm not sure if I'm remembering that right..but it was that time in our lives when the Hagopian and Herkenhoff families did a lot together..we later dubbed ourselves the Herkgopian's...anyway...lots of good memories today!!!

More closure

This week was one more step of closure for Debbie and me. We went to Friday Harbor on Monday, the 15th to tend to estate stuff for our parents. We met with their financial person who lives up there..What a beautiful place! The weather was superb! We took the ferry from Anacortes up to San Juan Island. After getting settled in our hotel, which for a Best Western, was just ok..there is a picture of the hallway..the picture doesn't do it justice, but it was weird!!! Monday night Debbie and I had dinner with Nancy. We met again Tuesday morning, and then we were sent on a sightseeing tour. We drove to Roche Harbor for lunch. Then we headed for Lime Kiln State Park in hopes of seeing Orcas..No luck..we did see a seal and a deer though..We continued our tour of the island and stopped at a lavendar farm. Debbie and I had dinner at Bella Luna..yummy...

The next morning we finished up with Nancy and headed back to Anacortes. We were on our way to the Shilshole Marina to meet up with our cousin Bob..He was going to help us scatter ashes. Both Debbie and I were dreading this moment, but knew that it needed doing. I mentioned in an earlier post we were struggling with what to do..especially with our Mom..If I could pass on anything through this blog it would be..1: Make sure your affairs are in order..You'll never know when you'll need it..2: Let your family know what your wishes are for when you die..It's hard to guess! 3: Start paring down your life now..YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU!!

Anyway, I digress...Bob took us out on his boat, the Whaler. As we were heading out, his son, Matt was out on his new boat..It was cool..We headed out toward Bainbridge Island. When we got to our "spot," the time had come..I couldn't do it. I know that the ashes are not my folks..My folks are with the Lord, but I couldn't do it..meaning, I was afraid to handle the bags. So, Debbie took care of it. It was an emotional time for all 3 of us! I am so thankful Bob was willing and able to help us in this task. Afterwards, instead of just heading back, Bob took us to Port Madison to look at all the fancy boats and houses..It was real quiet. A nice place to go before heading back to Seattle and life.

When we got back, we went to Azteca in Ballard for dinner. It was a nice close to an emotional time.

Now it's time to get ready for our vacation. Reg and I leave Monday for a 2 week road trip with Mt. Rushmore as our destination and then down to Colorado Springs. I have been so busy since "retiring" that I'm still tired..I'm hoping vacation will provide me with the relaxation I so desparately need.

There were a bunch of pictures, so I've created a link. Click here to see them.

I anticipate that blog postings here will really slow down. I will update periodically as feelings and emotions come up..but the journey for my folks has ended here on earth. Their journey has begun in heaven with the Lord. As Debbie has said, they have graduated.

May God bless you all! Thank you for your prayers, love and support through this time!

Prayers, Please.....

Tomorrow Debbie and I will be scattering our parents ashes. We have struggled with what to do, especially with our Mom's ashes since she never told us her wishes. We finally came up with a plan and tomorrow is the day.

I have no idea how I'll be through this process. It helps with closure. Since I have retired I've been real busy..well, the first 2 weeks of retirement..I have realized right now that the relief I feel that my folks no longer suffer is greater than the grief I feel. I think that will change over time, but I'm not sure.

It's been 6 weeks since Mom died. The time has gone by quickly. I find what I miss most is not being able to call my folks up and say "hi."

Debbie and I are in Friday Harbor right now. We have had some meetings regarding our parents estate. It's beautiful here and the weather has been wonderful! I'll post more pictures later..after we get through tomorrow.

An End of An Era

Today was my last day at Shelton Chiropractic Center. I have officially "retired." My retiring was a response to all that has gone on in the last couple of years with my parents and such. As I walked out of the building I started to cry and realized that though I'm glad to be finished, leaving my job of nearly 10 years involves a small grief process. I talked to Debbie about it and I liked what she said. When our parents died, they went to a much better place. They have graduated. So, my leaving is kind of a graduation to a different place..I think that's how she put it.

So, here's to Shelton Chiropractic Center...Thanks for memories!!