How many times have I said to myself, you need to get on the computer and work on the Blog. How else do you expect to keep your friends informed of your retirement? The only real problem is that retirement happens, and you get distracted. At my age, getting distracted is SQUIRREL!,,,a relatively common occurrence. So first and foremost, to all who have followed this Blog, my most sincere and humblest apologies. I have vowed to the retirement Gods to do better and I’ll try to catch you up with the past months of our lives. Being the semi-OCD type, I’ve made a rather extensive list of things appropriate address as I catch you up with us. I’ll post a 500+ word review of the past 3 months each day on a few specific topics until I’ve got you caught up. So, sit back, relax, and most of all enjoy.
Late 2023 was rather tumultuous times for us. In early November, Vicki’s Dad Frank, at the age 91, took a fall on the ice and that began a downward spiral. He was transported to the hospital in Everett where he was diagnosed with a fractured back in three places. After consulting with several specialists, it was determined that the best course of action was to splint the back and not do surgery to insert rods to stabilize the injury due to his extreme age. After much hard work by our daughter Elisabeth working the system, Vicki flew out to assist with the intention of helping with the rehab process and home/rehab center health care.
This really didn’t bring the outcome we had expected. Frank was rushed back to the hospital from the Rehab Center with a massive heart attack. It was decided then that Frank would enter hospice with comfort care.
The angels of hospice literally wrapped their wings around our entire family and made an impossible decision and process bearable. Frank was transferred from the hospital to the farm, but not before the angels of hospice had delivered a hospital bed, equipment necessary to see to his every need, and all the medicines necessary to insure his every comfort. On the night of December 1 Frank left his earth body and passed on to the light surrounded by Vicki, Elisabeth and Justin. The day previously, the family was able to say goodbye and Frank was able to smile and say goodbye to all of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. And though it was incredibly difficult, it was made so much easier with the help of hospice.
Frank was an integral part of all our lives and will be remembered for the stories he told, his love of westerns, and his incredible luck at the casino. I’ll always remember his Saturday phone calls with anger in his voice when he lost $300 at the slots and vowing never to return. But like clockwork, come the following Thursday, he was back at Angel of Winds winning more money. The man had a lucky streak and played it to perfection.
Not a joy filled blog this time, but full of information, I hope. Will add more to the basket tomorrow, but for now, we’re still loving retirement.
So sorry to hear about Frank but he certainly had a full life. Hospice is wonderful. Allowed me to keep Carl Peter at home until he went to be with the angels.