Hotel Lakeside - End of November

It was a busy month with the trip to Lakeside Ohio for Mom's memorial service and burial. The cottage was huge and very nice. The Breeze Inn right next to the Hotel Lakeside and a short walk to the pavilion and Lake Erie swimming and fishing dock. There was a nice gathering of the family as well as friends and the service. Mom is now at rest and enjoying life again with Danny. We spent Sunday night there just the four of us in that huge house. It was nice, hearing the Lake and bells ring from the Pavilion Steeple. It is much more quiet in Lakeside Ohio in November compared to the Summer months.

Thanks giving was nice. Got to spend time with Dad and Martha's family is always enjoyable. Feel old talking to Ben and Jake who I use to see run around as 1 year old kids. Got news we maybe going on a cruise on the Oasis this summer. Now that would be very cool. The ship is huge and it would be fun to photograph.

Did something to my foot Friday night, not sure what but it sure hurt Saturday morning. Wanted to go to Rowe Woods but the cold and my foot put the trip off till afternoon. Met Ken Dunn who is one excellent photographer for a walk in Rowe Woods. Ken and I met last year at Capture Cincinnati's Book awards and book signing. My foot was still hurting but I can not recall anything that could cause it, so I went for a nice long walk showing him some of my favorite locations in Rowe Woods. It felt a little better till last night. Was very sore but I put on a cast and it feels better today. I guess I will gimp around unless it gets worse, same foot I broke a couple years back. It is hell getting old, but I prefer it to the alt.

Last Party

We had a birthday part for my mother in law last month in the nursing home. It was like many of the other parties we have held at her bedside over the last 10 years. But unlike the other birthday or holiday parties this one would be the last party. Mom had been told she was dieing and there was really no long term solution to the illness. She chose to refuse treatments and let life take it's course. The birthday party was in September and it was her 71st birthday which would prove to be her last one. Everyone was able to gather and enjoy cake and some time to talk about days and life events. Things she liked to hear about that was going on in her families daily lives. This would be the last time I saw her before her passing, my final kiss on her forehead.

Mom passed away on October 20th 2009 around 12:30PM with hospice at her side. Min and Jim were on there way but she like many mothers did not want to pass on in front of her kids. She she checked out about 8 minutes before they were able to get to her bedside. This is very common, I know my mother chose to pass on that way as well. There is something about mothers not wanting to pass on in front of their sons. She had Hospice and other friends with her when she went peacefully. I wish I could have done to comfort Min but I was in the Hospital at the time, a unplanned visit. Just more stress on Min's plate, something I was trying to avoid. I was able to get out and home that evening to at least be with her as she grieved. She has taken her mother's passing very hard.

We will be putting her to rest near Lakeside Ohio where she grew up and has many friends. She will rest next to Danny and her parents. Lakeside has always been a special place in our families lives. It over looks Lake Erie and it is where her family's roots run deep. We have spent many summers in Lakeside but we were not able to make up this year do to a cruise and Ty heading off to O.U. I did not think we would be up there this year. Ma proved me wrong, we will spend time there over the week end. Not our normal trip to Lakeside but it will bring back memories of winter trips to Lakeside to see Mom and Danny as we did many times for Thanksgiving.

R.I.P Ma and there will be no longer need to worry about the kids, or family, just time to rest. Sleep well.