Calamity Kris Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 ...... as your relatives in Germany called you. You actually began your life in the small town of Mitchell, South Dakota. As a child, your family moved to California in search of a better life. Your parents relied on you the oldest to help care for your six siblings. You always had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and would read books into the wee hours of the night. When you turned 18, you joined the army and fought in the China theater during WWII. You were placed in the intelligence corps. After you completed your tour, the Army had one last assignment for you. A German spy had been relocated to the United States. She had been moved to California for protection. The Nazi's had discovered her in New York and were closing in. Your job was to make sure no harm came to her. Your apartment was in the same complex as hers. You met this stunning blond on the tennis courts and were smitten. The rest, as they say was history. You soon married and began a family of your own. You began a career in the aerospace industry. While working as an engineer, you continued your education, eventually earning your PhD in mathematics from UCLA. Your three children came to look up to you as a problem solver and the best homework help in the land. After a 43 year career in aerospace, you retired and took a "job" doing volunteer tutoring in math, chemistry and physics at the local junior college. You turned your insatiable thirst for knowledge into helping others struggling to complete their college studies. You once said this was the most rewarding thing you have ever done. It was only supposed to be part time as you wanted to travel around the world with your beloved wife. Unfortunately, that wasn't to be as she passed away shortly after your retirement. After 20 years of tutoring, you retired from that as well. Now as you are entering the twilight of your time on this earth, your memory as well as your life are being slowly stolen from you. Ravaged by a disease for which there is no cure, you fought as gallantly as you could until there was no more fight left. Your family will always remember the patriarch that you were. Love you Dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 I can offer no words other than blessings to your Dad... and you. And yeah, my screen got kinda blurry there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Well done Kris. Every father hopes to be loved by his family as you love yours. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 So very sorry for you and your family to bear the burden of watching a loved one approach the end of the trail. A parent is special, as is a child. May God hold your family in His hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Prayers for you and your family, Kris. It is hard. I have no words that will change that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Kris Posted May 19, 2018 Author Share Posted May 19, 2018 Thank you all. Dad will be 93 on Monday. He lived a full life. We know he will be in a better place soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Kris: This is all very familiar, and close to my heart. Dad will be 94 in July, and is following the same unforgiving spiral. I keep reminding myself of the great times in the past, of the kindness and love he shared with us all, and of the debt of life I owe to him. You are good daughter, following the Commandment and giving freely of your energy and care and love. God bless you both. LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Kris Posted May 19, 2018 Author Share Posted May 19, 2018 11 minutes ago, Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 said: Kris: This is all very familiar, and close to my heart. Dad will be 94 in July, and is following the same unforgiving spiral. I keep reminding myself of the great times in the past, of the kindness and love he shared with us all, and of the debt of life I owe to him. You are good daughter, following the Commandment and giving freely of your energy and care and love. God bless you both. LL Thanks LL. I'm being as supportive as I can from the other side of the country. My brother is his caregiver and I'm assisting as much as I can. I call at least weekly to talk, allowing him to vent if that's what he needs. After things come to a close, Uno and I are going to send my brother and his girlfriend on a vacation, so they can get away for a while. This has been hardest on them. Thank you all for your support. It means a lot to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 17 hours ago, Calamity Kris said: After things come to a close, Uno and I are going to send my brother and his girlfriend on a vacation, so they can get away for a while. This has been hardest on them. Kris: Truer words were never spoken. Before we brought Dad to live with us, my wife and I anticipated some additional chores and burdens, but the physical work has not really turned out to be the issue. Watching your parent's health decline, dealing with their emotional and physical needs, handling their financial details, working your way through the ever-more-frequent medical appointments, monitoring their meds, educating yourself on medical conditions and insurance and SS and veteran's benefits, all consume your time and energy. You have very little (if any) time left for yourselves, and no real opportunity for time "away". Don't get me wrong; I am certain that we are doing the right thing. But as tough as aging is, the emotional and physical burdens on the caregivers is substantial. Dad had a couple of days in the hospital recently; Mrs. LL and I found ourselves overjoyed by a day at Costco and a quiet dinner; it was almost as if the kids had left for college again. Send them on that trip. LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Prayers for you and your Dad. May God help you and give you strength. Blessings+ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Kris Posted May 24, 2018 Author Share Posted May 24, 2018 Thank you all. Dad passed this afternoon. He finally has peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted May 24, 2018 Share Posted May 24, 2018 Stay strong, as he is watch'n over you. He didn't raise a wussy...... OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted May 25, 2018 Share Posted May 25, 2018 So sorry for your loss, Kris and Uno. Sincerely, Allie Mo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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