Gaylord C Hall 1937-2005

I really thought last September was the hardest time ever. My dad passed away at 2:22am on June 12th. I wasn't there when my sister died. I had to be back at work in Florida that week. This time, I was there.

I hate it that he fell, I hate it that he was already pretty sick. I hate it that they couldn't anticipate that there might be complications while he laid up there in that hospital bed. I hate it that he didn't make it to his birthday next month--we were beginning to think about throwing a big party. I hate it that he didn't make it to August for his class reunion--it would have been the 50 year reunion for him, and he was so excited about it.

I sit here and it's Father's Day and there's nothing to do but write to him and hope he's out there looking over my shoulder.

Dad, I love you. Keep your chin up. I'm sorry the doctors couldn't pull you out of everything that happened, but your heart, big as it was for everyone, didn't have enough strength left to beat, and so many things happened in just a few hours that your body couldn't fight everything off. We wanted to keep you with us, but it was just your time.

Another update

My dad is still in ICU and it's very critical. I know he might not make it, but right now, in my mind is the verse (paraphrased) that having the faith of a mustard seed can move a mountain. I also know that it just might be his time, but I don't want to lose him just yet. Please continue praying.

Update

My dad is in ICU now. He isn't having the surgery for his hip until everything else straightens out. Around 1pm Central Time, I went up to the hospital and things had started unravelling. He had gone into congestive heart failure and later, his blood pressure dropped to about 65/50. In the early evening, his potassium went up and his sugar went dangerously low.

In summary, he is in critical, if not grave condition. Please pray for him.

the latest round

Last night, I was talking to my brother about starting to put some plans together for a big birthday party for my dad in July. His health has improved a little since earlier this year, but he's still not well. Talk of inviting people from all over--huge blowout! Now it's all on hold. Today, I got up early to go to some of those rummage sales in my old hometown of Catlin, IL. I am not really into that, so after a couple, I went home and back to sleep. Got up, brushed my hair and returned to Catlin for the Strawberry Festival (my favorite fruit!) It turned out niece #3 had a softball game there and my brother and his family were there. As we stood there watching, brother got a voice mail, checked it and turned to me while listening and relayed the info.

My dad had fallen (third time since May 20th) but this time they had taken him by ambulance to the hospital b/c they thought he'd broken his hip.

So, yes, it's broken, and he's in the hospital on hold until he's well enough for surgery.

My maternal grandma did the same in early August 2001 and she wasn't home for at least a month--and she was in better condition that my dad at the time!

my scribblings from about 1977 or 78.
Posted by Hello

It's still there!

Ok, so I've lived a lot of places, but I still consider my hometown to be Catlin, IL. It's a tiny town of about 2000 south and west of Danville, IL, hometown of DIck and Jerry Van Dyke, Gene Hackman, and Donald O'Connor. (It's not anywhere near Chicago and it's not at all a suburb of that city)

Anyway...first weekend of June each year, they have their annual Strawberry Festival. At this time, the entire town cleans house and has a townwide rummage sale. I went today because I saw that the house I lived in from age 4-11 was having a sale. I went. The lady bought the house from the people who bought it from my mom. She mentioned that she'd found an old phone book from the 70s that slid under a drawer in the kitchen. She also mentioned that there was some writing on the walls in this closet under the staircase to the basement. OMG!

When I lived there, my mom put some of my larger toys in there and it became a makeshift play room for one. I turned it into anything my imagination could make of it. I played 'house' and 'school' with my dolls and friends in there. At the time, I was a big fan of a little mentioned New Mickey Mouse Club. The only one who is remotely well-known from that group is Lisa Whelchel (Blair, Facts of Life) So, for awhile, that closet became my clubhouse for the Mickey Mouse Club. I even made a roll call board on the wall with permanent marker. So permanent, it's still there! I took a picture!

I will say, when I walked down the stairs, it started coming back to me, but the family room was tiny compared to what it seemed like way back then. I remembered all of the places to reach for light switches though. Also, the kitchen has the same wallpaper and the basement has the same carpeting from back then. Such a trip down memory lane! I need to contact the woman who lives in the house we lived in just prior to that house. I was so young I just barely remember it, so I want to see what it looks like now.

Near Chatanooga, TN
Posted by Hello

ok...so the whole time I've been sitting here in the car getting wifi connected, this girl is sitting over on a park bench in deserted downtown Danville. It's weird enough what I'm doing, but what's she doing?

Since I've been in Illinois, I've not been so actively blogging. Lots of thoughts and feelings, but I don't know that I want to post all of them.

I just got back last night from another trip to Florida. I left Thursday and returned Wednesday night. I did get to see Star Wars 3 (or 6) down there and went on Soarin' at Epcot which is the same as the attraction at California Adventure in Anaheim. All around that was a really good day.

Today, I'm bothered--I woke up with a worse that usual bloody nose, and weird aches and pains. Not a good time to not feel well.