6 posts tagged “pop”
Today I had a wonderful day with my kiddos. We went to the park and played for a long time, just enjoying the heat and each others company. They played in the water play section, squealing in excitement and smiling from ear to ear. It was just an incredible mid-late morning. We came home, we ate lunch and then I put them down for a nap. I went to my computer and opened up my browser. Then I read: "Tim Russert, 58, Dies after Collapsing"
I had to read it again and then read the story. I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. Tim Russert was someone I trusted to give me an unbiased opinion of politics. I respected his observations and felt that he was fair and impartial. I enjoyed watching his enthusiasm over this year's presidential election. He was so excited about the historical significance of the primaries and the general election to come. He is gone now... Just like that.
His death today made me think of my Pop. I guess because there were a couple of similarities. My Pop was only 58 when he died and he died of a massive heart attack. Of course, my Pop died on the table after open heart surgery but a heart attack nonetheless.
A couple of years ago Tim Russert's book, Wisdom of Our Fathers came out and I remember reading a couple of the letters and lessons and thinking, "Wow, I really miss my Pop." I always miss my Pop. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about something or see his picture and wonder a little. One thing that really caught my attention and won my admiration of Mr. Russert was how much he loved his own father and how much he adored his son.
I can't help but feel sad for his son. Knowing how much Mr. Russert loved him and knowing how much it hurts to lose someone who loves you that much. I just miss my Pop. I wonder if he were here today if he would be saddened by the loss of this journalist. If he would have been as excited about the upcoming election and I wonder who he would have supported in the primaries. I wish I could have talked it over with him and discussed our political opinions in an adult way, not just a kid challenging authority. I miss my Pop so much right now.
The days of sadness, as I call them, have begun. They begin on January 5th and go on until May 6th.
Yes, I spend the first 5 months of the year as a sad sack, trying to figure out when losing loved ones years ago will get easier. The truth is, it doesn't get easier. I don't like to hear that it does because I still miss every single one of them, still, even 10 years, 6 years, 5 years, 4 years later. There is not a day that goes by that I don't recount things in my mind, conversations or visits, holidays, birthdays...
Tonight at 1017pm (CST) it was 10 years that I last heard my Pop's voice (he was my stepdad but I called him Pop). I called him after I got out of work because he was going to go in for open heart surgery the next day. We chatted about his eating seafood salad and he told me that if he didn't make it that at least we could take heart that we had 10 good years together. But then he assured me that he would be home by Sunday. He didn't make it. On February 7th it will be 10 years without him. 10 years.
I miss him. I think about all the things that he has missed. He missed my wedding, he missed my pregnancy. He never saw his grandbabies. And knowing that he is still with me isn't something I'm satisfied in knowing. Because it's not fair. It's not fair that he didn't get to walk me down the aisle and that he never met my husband, whom he would have LOVED. He didn't get to make fun of me while I was pregnant and he didn't get to hold my babies when they were born. They will only know what I tell them about him and that's not fair because they deserve to know someone like him. They deserve to know someone as kind and gentle and loving as my Pop.
So yes, it will be a hard week for me. It will be hard and sad and miserable. Because I don't have my Pop. And sometimes I just want so much to hug him.
Do you know any war veterans?
Submitted by Fightin' 6th Marines.
My Pop was a Marine. He did 3 tours in Vietnam... When he died, the Marines were so wonderful. It was amazing. I will never ever forget the 21 gun salute and the lone Marine playing Taps from a distance. I think that was the most heartbreaking part for me. It was crystal clear.
The Marines even called us just to let us know that if there was anything we needed we could call the Corps.
The flag was presented by a young Marine who said, "On behalf of the United States Marine Corps, I present you with this flag. The Marine Corps mourns with you. Your loss is our loss. Semper Fidelis." and then he saluted my mother or maybe he was saluting the flag. Either way, it was very touching and it was good to know that the Marines were there for us and for my Pop. They even had a Marine come to his hospital bed every day to check in on him.
This is the first picture of his headstone. It brought us to tears to see his name in the stone. It solidified our loss. He was really gone and he wasn't going to come back...
This is my Pop about 6 months before he died...
What was your version of teenage rebellion?
Brought to you by the movie Georgia Rule.
It was typical teenage angst stuff. You know, I didn't get along with my step-pop, I supported republicans, I went against my culture, I dyed my hair weird colors, I pierced stuff.
I don't really have much to say on that. I do however regret not getting along with my Pop better. He was only trying to teach me life's lessons and I didn't want to hear it. We didn't gt along until I was about 23 and then he died soon after.
If you could get someone in your life to start a blog, who would it be and why?
This is cheesy... but if I could get anyone to start a blog it would be my pop. But he died 8 years ago.
Soda? Cola? Pop? What do you say? Any other regional words that set you apart?
Question submitted by Gladys.
Soda. That's the ONLY way to say it. When I lived in Madison everyone there made fun of me because I said soda instead of pop. I didn't care, I kept saying soda inspite of everyone!
Everyone I know says soda but my FIL says soda pop. At one point I got a thing in my head that I would begin asking for Pepsi Cola or a Coca-Cola instead of just a Pepsi or a Coke. It lasted like a week and then I got sick of it...
That is all.
