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.

Hopeful Job, New Bladder

Dear Jack,

Well tax money has arrived in my account, and I am happy. This means I will be able to attend the memorial service for my grandfather. More good news includes a conversation with my bosses today at work. On their way to a meeting, they asked me if I was looking for a permanent job. I answered yes. They replied... good, we'll be sure to talk about that at the meeting. I am not sure if that means a job here at the bank, but it sure smells like it.

As I'm typing this, I am watching the news. It looks like doctors have successfully re-created working human bladders. The bladders were actually created from cells several years ago, and were kept on the DL until they knew that the organs were working normally. They say that they are also looking at cardiac muscles, livers, and lungs. If this is a successful adventure, it looks like most problems of health may be fixable by popping out the old organ and popping in a new one with the same DNA (thus reducing the risk of rejection). Woot. The cynical side of me hopes that it would be available for more than just the rich, but I doubt it.

Grandpa Part I

Dear Jack,

Well yesterday morning, around 3AM, my Grandpa Hohne passed away. I am still letting this process... as it is hard to really take it all in being so far from everyone. My understanding is that he will be cremated in North Las Vegas and that there will be a memorial service in Ohio later on. I do not know the details though.

The new job at Amalgamated Bank is going pretty well. The people there are extremely friendly. I believe that I am doing well, as they have moved me on to a more complicated stuff than what I was originally hired for. The other temps are friendly too. I have gotten to know two of them fairly well.

Ob la de Ob la da

Dear Jack,

It is the day before Valentine's Day, and I am blessed to be celebrating it with Michael again. I must admit that I feared that Michael and I would not be together this time last year. If you recall, he had not come out yet to his parents, and we had to hide our relationship from them. So much has happened since then, and we are open, and together and I am the happiest man alive.

This past week Dean P. drove up in a U-Haul with his friend Amy (cool woman). He found an apartment right above us in the same building. It has been great having a good and friendly and funny friend living so close by. I hope he doesn't get annoyed with us ;-).

This past weekend brought on a blizzard. I loved it--but then again I don't have to shovel it or drive in it. Dean remarked "I always wished it would snow up to my ass, I just didn't think it would ever happen." This was the biggest snow on record here in New York: 26-28 inches they say. There is also word that more snow is on the way. Yeah Winter--about damn time you showed up.

Prayers for Grandpa Hohne, Joe, Bobbie, Wanda, Tommy, and Jason.

Moving Sucks Lemonheads

Dear Jack,

Today at 1 I was called and told that I am moving at 1:30. I was a bit surprised as I was scheduled to move out this coming Wednesday. They said it may rain and so they had to do it today. So... being wholly unpacked, I began packing. Luckily Marta gave me some boxes before she left. About 2:30 they showed up to start taking things. I was a little flustered by then, having nearly packed my entire apartment in two hours. They took a load to my new room. They came back (about 3:15) and said, "Well we need to know what is essential for tonight, cause we'll have to get the rest tomorrow...so what do you need us to take now?" Well I had no idea. I had packed in such a hurry that things were in various boxes throughout two residences now. I had them take my mini fridge and my futon, and my linens over to the new place. I started getting worried, as the reason for the move today was because they could not do it Wednesday because it is supposed to rain Tuesday and Wednesday. That got me wondering... how are they going to move me on a day when it is raining? When will I actually get moved? So getting frustrated I called the Chaplain to talk to her and see if she had any insight or way to relieve my stress.

She called the lady in charge of housing, and we learned that the people had misquoted her. She had asked them to move the "Non-Essential" but they moved the "Essentials". She understood my frustration. Yet there was nothing that could be done except to move everything back to my old room because there are women living on the hall where I am moving to who have not moved out yet. And they don't want to go to the bathroom and risk me seeing them in their nightgowns. It doesn't matter that the bathroom is a one-occupancy bathroom with a lock, or that I have no interest in them whatsoever. It's policy. And Policy is a demi-god apparently.

So here I sit now, in my old place on a beanbag chair. I have no idea when the rest of my stuff will be moved, as they do not move when it rains. I have decided that it is ok. I went over to my new place and unpacked all that was taken over there. It actually is working out over there--much more friendly and welcoming than this drab empty place.

Prayers:

Brandon - For healing and good spirits.

Bobbie - For healing and good spirits.

Wanda - For healing and good spirits.

George - For healing and good spirits.

Tommy - For healing and good spirits.

Joe - For curing of addictions.

Grandma Pease

Dear Jack,

For those who did not know, my grandma Pease died last week. Kris bought me a ticket to go to Ohio for the funeral. There was no funeral, but rather a memorial service, as the body was to be cremated but could not be cremated in time for the service.

The service was held at Holy Cross Charismatic Episcopal Church. I am not a fan of that church as they like to "praise God" by going into bouts of clapping and cheering "yeah God" and "Amen" and I find it ridiculous. Plus during nearly every reading, song, or prayer the priest would interrupt with "thank you Jesus!" and "yes, my Jesus!" so that I could hear him in the back of the church. I also found it odd that he tried to get the congregation "saved" during the funeral invoking the usual guilt trips that I find repulsive and counterproductive to true conversion to Christ. Aside from that he did have me read the 23rd Psalm as I had my seminarian collar on.

Albeit that the situation was for less than cheerful reasons and the timing bad, it was an enjoyable trip. I got to know my cousins a lot better. It is amazing how my first cousins on my mother's side are virtual strangers. Since then I've even had a decent conversation with my first cousin, once removed Mitch who is all of 14. I felt more connected to him and his sister Stephanie than I did to those of my "generation" because I was closer in age to them than my generation. But we did have a good chat all of us. We also had some odd pictures taken..."orbs" were in many shots on various cameras. The odd thing was that sometimes the cameras would pick up the same orb. And then there would be times where there were none. I figure at worst they are dust particles, but at best they are loved ones or angels in our midst. Many seemed to revolve around me.

I was also able to meet my brother Lee whom I've not seen in nearly 15 years if not longer. He seems rather grown up, being nearly 40. I still get the impression people think of me as a child including him. I guess being the youngest always does that. Perhapse thats why I got along with the kids better.

I also got to see my nephew Kris and his mother Terri. They seem to be doing well. Kris is learning guitar and wants to be in a band. He has a mohawk and some piercings, but is very gentle and friendly. They have two domesticated wolves which were gorgeous.

I stayed at my Grandma Hohne's house. It was good to see her and Grandpa Hohne. He seems to be doing well despite being on oxygen 24/7. I thought he looked healthy and seemed to have surprisingly good spirits. They are always a joy to be with.

On the flight home, we came in over NJ and Staten Island. I was able to see Michael's house from the air. Then we flew over the west end of Manhattan. I saw the entire island including the Seminary from the air. It was a great joy. Then we flew over Yonkers, and I wish I knew were the parishes were that I'll be working at, because I'm sure I could have seen them too. It was a beautiful flight.

Now I'm back in NYC and getting ready to go for a physical at St. Vincent's. I'm not looking forward to it, as I know it means pricks and blood drawn and tons of health questions. I'm not looking forward to it. Afterward I'm free all afternoon and will probably work on the Guide Book or play Sims 2 or Sim City 4 to just clear my mind.

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.

Kris Got Married

Dear Jack,

The wedding was held in Pennsylvania.  This is a picture of the grandparents and the grandchildren (those what were able to attend of each).  I was an usher.