Grandpa Part II

Dear Jack,

Well this past weekend I flew to Ohio to attend my Grandpa Hohne's memorial service. It was a very pleasant weekend over all--in a manner befitting the memory of a great man. My Dad, Uncle Mike, and nephew Kris sang a prelude of music before the service, as well as How Great Thou Art at the end of the service. My Uncle John gave the eulogy, and it was very touching. After the service, we all went to the cemetery where there was a military salute to Grandpa by the VFW of Geneva OH. Following that, we all went to St. Joseph's Catholic Church to use their parish hall for a reception. It was good to see everyone there, and to share in the food with the family.

After that, the immediate family went back to my Grandma's house to talk and relax. I was happy that my brothers Kris and Lee were able to come, and my nephew Kris. After my Aunt Candy, my uncles, and my cousins left, big Kris and Lee stayed and visited with my Dad, Grandma, and myself. This was probably the most in depth conversation I've been involved in with my brother Lee. It was great.

Early the next day, Dad and Uncle Mike left to drive back to Georgia. Grandma and I met my Uncle Tom, Aunt Annette, and her mother Madge for brunch at Lakeways. It was also a good visit.

Later that day, Grandma drove me to the airport. There I ran into my cousin Ron and his family as they were also leaving (only heading to Atlanta rather than New York). It was a very nice coincidence and opportunity to visit.

Despite meeting for the occasion of a funeral, this was probably one of the best visits I have had.

So far So Good

Dear Jack,

Well it is nice to comment to you that I have a beloved. He is a great joy and blessing in my life. Such joy comes only from God. I look forward to a wonderful and fulfilling life with him. Thanks be to God.

Over Holy Week, Joy came for a visit, and that was a lot of fun. This Friday, my love and I met my grandmother at the train depot. She stayed with me until tonight. It was a very pleasant visit. She enjoyed meeting my beloved. And I know why...cause he's wonderful.

So the pope died yesterday. I have found myself most upset by the idolizing of him that I see going on. Even my Catholic grandmother disapproved of it. The archbishop of NYC even referred to him as "acting as Christ". I found that somewhat heretical, myself. I did attend Mass at St. Patrick's on Saturday with my grandmother though...even though I was not permitted to partake in communion. I find it odd that Jews have "equal access" to salvation according to the late John Paul, but us Episcopalian Christians are not allowed to partake of communion.

This afternoon I attended Beauty and the Beast with my grandmother before putting her on her bus to Ashtabula. Hopefully tonight I will hang out with my Lobe and with some friends. Although for some reason I'm feeling nauseous. I hope it passes. I miss my love and my friends.

Well that's all for now.

Stagnant Ohio

Dear Jack,

Woke up around 10 this morning. I worked on financial aid stuff. I got turned down for another scholarship. Funds are looking bleaker, but i'm determined to go... so loans... here I come, at least till I can fill out stuff for the next year. AND I WILL. Let me tell you.

After that I went to Giant Eagle with Grandma and then we came home and I made dinner... chicken curry. After that we watched the news. Speaking of the news... Action 19 in Cleveland read from a letter that Grandma and I co-wrote. It was in reaction to the beheading of the guy in Iraq and the torture of the Iraqi prisoners by US guards.

Personally I think both were wrong. I think both sets of parties should be punished. I don't think we should try and overlook our misdoings because of someone else's misdoings to us in reaction. That really pisses me off. What we did to the Iraqi soldiers was inexcusable. What happened to the US Citizen was inexcusable. Both sides contain evil... and both sides have the capacity of good. There is never a black and white... only ashy gray and whiter shades of pale.

Ohion For a Week

Dear Jack,

Well yesterday I left with my grandparents on a trip to Ohio. We stopped at a villa in Westminster, SC. That was cool. We drove the rest of the way through NC, VA, WV, and PA before hitting Youngstown. It was a pretty easy trip, I slept a good deal of the way.

I hope to see my first Daniel... Daniel G... . He was my best friend till I moved to Georgia. I haven't talked to him in four years due to college and not being able to get up for a visit.

I also hope to see my other grandmother and my aunt Colette. My nephews are in trouble with the law, and I hope to get a hold of them too.

On a nervous note... I need to raise 12,000 more dollars to go to seminary. The problem is the majority of the deadlines were past when I got the information to apply. It doesn't appear that much help will be coming from Atlanta or my parish. That means I have to look elsewhere, and there is little else to look. I'm hoping FAFSA will offer some type of loans.

Yet as this door may appear to be closing, it is not closed yet. Furthermore a window may be opening for a Christian Ed Youth Minister position. That would give me time to raise the money if needed.

I am not sure how often I'll be posting, hopefuly more than not.

Great Grandma Flynn's Funeral

Dear Jack,

Mike and I had traveled to Ashtabula for Thanksgiving.  While we were there Great Grandma Flynn passed away.  We stayed for the funeral.