Breakfast with the Canadian

Testing the ipad...addicted already...

Ok so, that message was from Lori...the Canadian. We met for breakfast...and as she was getting out of the booth to get something, I took out my iPad...and she sat down...then she forgot what she was going to get. Look out Nick...Lori wants one....but maybe the flowers you sent her will keep her occupied for a while!

(BTW Girls: Nick sent Lori flowers for NO REASON!!! Isn't that just SWEET!)

(NO GUYS: he wasn't in hot water or in trouble!)



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Words of Appreciation - Sheri

Daughter, Sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, friend….these are a few words used to describe my mother…but, one word can encompass them all….Caregiver.

It is true that mothers give the most of themselves to their family and especially their children, but Mom gave to many people beyond her nuclear family. In 1962, when she said “I Do” and married our father, she took on the additional responsibility of helping with the care of my grandparents, uncles and the family business. During her many hospital stays at Stanford this year, it has taken many people to help fill in for Mom’s absence. Besides farm business, there were medications to be ordered and organized, doctor’s appointments to be scheduled and attended with my father, brother and uncle. Mom would do all of this at a blink of the eye….to make up for her absence it took not only my brothers and myself, but, cousins and friends to help make up for the hole.

Many of her concerns should she have a liver transplant, was not about her own recovery, but how it would affect the family. Dad and Gary have to work, Dean needs to go to his workshop, Dave and I have our own families. One day I did get the truth out of her…she was afraid that she could never pay us back for helping her. I tried to explain to her that she had “paid it forward” and that we were paying her back for all of the things she has done for us…but, she was not used to accepting help…only giving it.

You would think that she would have had her hands full with the family and farm business, but she also made time to help here at the temple. While we were growing up, Mom would always be there to help at our youth group fundraisers and conferences. Although it was exhausting for her in the recent years, she enjoyed working at Fujinkai and temple activities especially helping to organize the Obon pastry booth. During her last hospital stay in April, she was VERY concerned about the “Food Sale” tickets. (BTW: the food sale is being held tomorrow) She would ask “Where are the tickets? We need to find out who will be home. How many tickets do we need? We need to get the money and ticket counts in.” She would go on for a while…until I told her that I had spoken to Carol and everything is taken care of. (BTW: I need some tickets).

Also during her last stay at Stanford, I started a Blog, an online diary of Mom’s status during the last hospital visit. In one of the posts I mentioned the song, The Dash. My husband, Jeffrey, played it at his father’s memorial a few years ago. It tells about a man reading a Eulogy at a friend's memorial. He read the dates of her birth and death...but, the most important part was the "dash" that separated the dates. The song goes on to explain, that the most important part of a person's life, is how they "live their dash". It doesn't matter how much money a person makes, or what car they drive...what matters is how they "live"...Doris and Teri both spoke of Mom’s Dash…it was huge, she touched many people’s lives. I am so proud to have a mother with such a full dash.

Thank you to everyone who sent flowers, cards, emails, FB posts and Blog comments during Mom’s illness. We read Mom all of the letters and emails…and she appreciated your concern and get well wishes. The family thanks you for being Mom’s friend and allowing her to “care for you”…and thank you Mom for being the best caregiver we will ever have.

My brother Dave would like to say a few words.

Collage

Last night we worked on Mom's photo collage. Funny how there seems to be more pictures of Mom and the grandchildren and Dad...then us...Julie pointed out it is because Mom's TAKE the pictures!

All in all it looks good but we are short a few pictures...we only found one with my cousin Alan...good thing he is "boy"...boys don't care about things like that!

On a totally different subject...I have my 2nd appointment with Dr. Kyle for another adjustment on Monday...

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Thank you

Just a quick note...just got home and unwound a little.

My brother thanked everyone at the service for attending...but, I wanted to reiterate. The whole family was overwhelmed the amount of support we have received. Mom would have been embarrassed by all of the attention, kind words, and love that she received...but, that was Mom.

It was nice seeing all of you, although I don't think I was able too see all 500+ of you...the flowers, personal comments and support from each of you has helped ease our pain. Thank you...

I have been asked to send people my speech...I guess some people had a time understanding me through my tears...so, I will post it tomorrow.

We hope everyone travelled safely home...especially you Wendy - thanks for coming out from Memphis TN and keeping me up until 2 A.M. Sunday morning...have a safe summer.

Lesson learned

When I checked my mail today...I found out that we were charged for an app...I didn't but it...Jeff didn't buy it...after a brief investigation...we found the culprit....NEIL!

He was mad that we have bought Apps...they were free...and he didn't get to buy any...so, he bought one...he saw Jeff type in the password...our little thief ended up paying $7 for a $3.99 app...

Now I have to remember a new password...sigh!

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Dr. Kyle...and Nakanishi

Jeff has been trying to get me to go to his chiropractor for over a year...I guess he just went over my head and made me an appointment. Actually, Kyle wasn't suppose to be in...he goes to the Farmer's Market on Tuesdays...but that fell through and he FB'd me that he can take us...gotta love FB!

So, here we are...Jeff driving, the boys on their iTouches, and me...updating my blog....yeah! Will have to wait to publish....since I don't have the 3G iPad...but, I do love my new toy!

I survived my first chiro appointment...but, I feel like I have bruises...no surprise that Dr. Kyle said that my back was all out of alignment....



Since all of our ramen places were closed...we ended up in Redwood City at Portabello Grill. Our friend Mark Nakanishi is a chef there...and it was wonderful!! I had linguini with prawns and spinach...with lots of garlic...quite yummy! Jeff had a Ginger soy skirt steak "stuffed" with sticky rice...yup..stole some of that! Jordan had pasta carbonara...he polished that off...Neil had clam chowder (with a ton of bacon) AND spaghetti and meatballs....yes, he is having spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tomorrow...but he LOVED the chowder!!

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Driving home....

No, I haven't started my drive home yet...traffic is really bad on NB 101...Jeff and I started driving home around 6:30...and we turned off and drove back to my Dad's because 101was stopped about a mile from the mall. The backup goes for quite a few miles through North Salinas And Prunedale. At my Dad's house, the boys showered and then Jeff drove home in the van. I'll follow around 8 p.m. Gary will be driving my Z and I will drive Jeff's Lexus home.

Gary and I were also able to talk to Dad about a few things related to the farm business and personal finance stuff...looks like we need to make a long list....good things that I have my new toy!


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