The Memorial Mass

The memorial mass for Rosie was Monday, January 20. It was at St. Sebastian's church in Dearborn Heights.

I don't care much for funerals or memorial services. I want nothing like that when I go. Go some place and have a party.

I did think the priest, Father Aaron, did a decent job. He told us that he had been a Chrysler engineer for 12 years before becoming a priest. He seemed to have some difficulty finding the right place in the readings book, but, all in all, he did OK.

Afterwards, during the luncheon, two older woman of the church approached me and were asking about Rosie. When I told them that I thought the priest did a decent job, the oldest one (she might even be older than I) said, "He's a little green."

He spoke a lot about loving each other. I think he's paying close attention to Pope Francis. That's OK, too.

Death

We've been dealing with death over the last several days. It is not a pleasant experience. At times sad. At times ghoulish.

In the hospital, the doctors essentially pronounced Rosie “brain dead.” They said her type of stroke is almost always fatal. She died this morning a bit before six. It was a blessing and we're happy she went “home” rather quickly. The doctors had said some patients with similar symptoms linger for months.

The hospital or the undertaker discovered that Rosie Was a “donor” of eyes and other useable parts. So, apparently, they will take her to the donor facility and, from there, back to the funeral home.

Julie's been dealing with Joanne, Rosie's “cousin” and with Greg, Rosie's Godson. So far they all seem to be on the same page with respect to “what happens next.”

Death makes you wonder about the afterlife. Does death just end it, or is there something more? One famous atheist said that the most exciting time of his life will be the first few minutes after dies. I guess it will be exciting. Today, Julie wondered if there was an “orientation.”

Not A Very Good Start to the Year

This morning Julie kept trying to get ahold of her friend, Rosie. She didn't answer her cell, her landline, or her text messages. Finally, we went over there. When we drove up we knew that something was wrong as her car was in the driveway, she hadn't been out of the house, and both screen doors were locked.

Fortunately, Rosie's next door neighbor, Joe Patrick, was home. He had a key to the screen doors. We went in and found Rosie on the living room floor. It looked as though she had fallen against the door and bruised her face. She was moving and breathing, but was otherwise unresponsive.

We decided not to try and move her and called 911. The paramedics made good time coming, especially considering that we've had about six inches of snow and all of the roads are snow-covered and slippery. Rosie seemed to be physically responsive, she squeezed the medics hand and straightened her leg in response to a request from one of the firemen, but I didn't hear her talk.

They took her to Oakwood Hospital. Julie just (1510) went to the hospital to see what she could find out.

Glenn and Dianne were supposed to come over tonight, but we cancelled that. I also decided to postpone my colonoscopy which was scheduled for Friday, as we're not sure what Rosie's situation will bring.

Good-bye to 2013

What do I call it? Maybe “the year of the bladder cancer.” But, it’s funny. I can’t remember when I found out that I had it. I think it was like in June of 2012. So I spent the last half of 2012 and the first half of 2013 going through bladder cancer treatments. During the last scoping, I was OK. I’m supposed to get scoped again this coming January.

I think the story of the year is the “do nothing Congress.” The Republicans spent so much time trying to derail Obama, that nothing really got done. Bitching. Backbiting. Stonewalling. Name calling. Pretty sad. Throw the bums out.

In February, Pope Benedict XVI announced he was going to retire. In March, the Cardinals selected Jorge Mario Bergogilio of Argentina. He chose the name Francis and has been making waves big time ever since.

April brought the Boston Marathon bombing story. Sad. The bombers were a pair of Muslim immigrants from Chechen. The youngest was very promising. Not any more.

May brought scandals to the White House. Benghazi, Lybia, the Justice Department spying on journalist’s phone records, and the IRS giving intensive scrutiny to right-wing groups.

In June Edward Snowden, a former employee of the NSA, blew the whistle on that Agency revealing that they spy on just about everybody.

In July, the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge welcome a son, George. Also in July, the Sparrows defended on Westport Island. We missed going in 2012 because of my cancer. It was great to be back.

In August, the unrest and Civil War dominated much of the news. The Tigers lead their division and look like a real World Series threat.

In September, the world wiggles out of an out and out confrontation with Syria as Assad agrees to give up his chemical weapons.

In October, the government shuts down because the parties can’t agree on anything. The Tigers win their division, but lose to Boston in the first round of the playoffs. The Affordable Healthcare launch is terrible and the Republicans escape the wrath of the public.

November saw Obama’s approval rating sink to an all-time low of something like 37 percent. Iran strikes a deal regarding uranium enrichment in exchange for easing of sanctions.

In December, 95 year-old Nelson Mandela dies. He was one of history’s great people. The Lions lose six of their last seven games and miss the playoffs. I've been waiting for them to win the championship since 1957. The Lions fire Jim Schwartz and are searching for a new head coach to lead them to the promised land. Lottsa luck with that.

The Day After

We just sort of hung out at Jenny's. Julie and Jenny went to Home Goods looking for “after Christmas specials.” I think Jenny buy some. Christmas plates, bowls, and napkins. Julie bought nothing.

Rick and Addie arrived from Vermont about 1500 hours. Rick said they drove through a lot of snow squalls. It was great seeing them. Addie is becoming beautiful.

After dinner, well, actually before and during dinner, Addie and Sophie practiced their two character version of Wicked. Pretty cute. Addie has a really nice voice and seems to have very good pitch. They both need to learn to “cheat out.”

Home Again. Home Again.

On Friday Jenny drove us to LaGuardia. Rick rode shotgun. We made really good time going and got there in about 45 minutes. We checked our bags and got through security easily. The plane boarded on time, left on time, and got to Detroit about half an hour early.

A selfie in the airplane.

Jenny rumming the Christmas Cake.

A selfie in the Ambassador Theatre waiting for Chicagoto begin.

Rosie came to airport and picked us up. It was good to get home. Dixie was very happy to see us.

Merry Christmas

Last night we agreed to be up and ready for Christmas morning action by 0800. I woke up about 0715. Jenny was up next. Then Julie. Then Bob. Then Sophie. Then the unwrapping began. Sophie got a. New Kindle, a new iPhone, and a lot of other stuff. 

Tom sent the usual strange collection of stuff. He sent Jenny a Titanic snow globe with a bedroom scene, the boat, and the main staircase. The music box plays Nearer My God to Thee.

He sent Julie and I martini glasses with silhouettes of the Paris skyline. As they were glass, we have no way of getting them home ... and we aren't going to ship them. 

After all the packages were opened we ate Jenny's Christmas breakfast. It was wuh-wuh-wonderful. 

After breakfast, Bob worked on activating Sophie's new phone. That took a lot of the afternoon.

We exchanged some photos and texts with Tom and Meg. We also checked in on FaceBook. 

Julie's present from Sophie. Julie loves it.  Below is Bob in his RMS Titanic beanie that Tom sent him.

Chicago and Ice

Yesterday we hung out with Bob, Jenny, and Sophie. Julie and Jenny went to the gym. Sophie slept until about noon. I guess the basketball tired her out.

In the evening Jenny drove us into the city. We made great time until we got to 48th Street. It was a two lane road with parking on both sides, however, big problems at both ends: construction which eliminated a lane. It must have taken us forty minutes to get to 8th Avenue. Eventually we made it.

Dinner at Joe Allen. I like that restaurant. The walls are lined with show posters of shows that didn't make it. The food is great. They make great martinis, too.

Then we saw a tremendous production of Chicago. The leads, especially Roxie, were wonderful. The choreography was fantastic. It was just a super show.

More pictures from Tom of the ice storm that hit much of lower Michigan in the early morning hours of the day we flew out.