Family

My Pop:  The smartest, most thoughtful, wittiest, most generous, well traveled, and loving family man there ever was.  Not a day goes by, that I get a bit melancholy that he isn't there for me to talk with, visit, send presents to, hug, and tell him how much I love him.

My brother, Jim, me, and our wonderful father

The other day when I went for my 10th scope to see if my cancer is still in remission, a gentleman in his 80's was waiting in the waiting room for his family member.  He had a kind face and twinkling eyes as he worked on his Sudoku which reminded me so much of my father.  I started talking about moving to Sequim.  That's when he put his pen down and told me his brother lived in Sequim.  Obviously, he had visited his brother quite often, because he remembered all of the street names and places to go. He knew where we had bought our home in Happy Valley.  We had such a nice time chatting.  I wanted him to adopt me.  I wanted to say, "Could you be my surrogate father?"  He reminded me so much of my father.  I was a bit melancholy all day.  Almost a  week later, I still can't get his face out of my mind.

Pop and me

My husband says I have changed since my cancer diagnosis and since my father died.  Maybe, he is right.  I'm not sure what he meant by that.  Cancer changed me in that I relish every new morn I awaken.  With my father's passing, I feel I have gained even a further compassion for those with dementia, that need a special type of love and understanding.

My brother kissing our father

I have one son and one grandson, both with the name of Dustin, both in the Navy.  My son is getting ready to retire in a year.  He is stationed on Whidbey Island and living in Japan with his wife at the time of this writing.  My grandson is in his 2nd year in the Navy working as a hospital corpsman in San Diego at Balboa hospital.  I am very proud of both.  This weekend, we are traveling to San Diego to go visit and barbecue with my grandson and his wife and two dogs.  I am looking forward to it.

My boys, Dustin (Chief in the Navy)

My grandson, Dustin (Hospital Corpsman in the Navy)

My son, Dustin and his wife, Krista

Dustin, my grandson, and his wife, Jenee

Jenee, Dustin, and I hiking.

I'm thinking about my family today :0)