Papazona

The swine flu

2009-04-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

The world (including the USA) is in the midst of what could become a pandemic--a new strain of flu referred to as the "swine flu." Although there are not a huge number of reported cases (and most of them not that serious apparently) it is still cause for concern.

My paralegal, KT, called in sick today with the flu. Don't know whether it is THE swine flu or what. I was not feeling that well myself, so I just rested at home today. We have a big week coming up (BIG WEDDING!) and I want to be feeling my best.

Sometimes I just have to take a day off. I think this practice has saved me from getting more serious illnesses over the past several years.

My Mother-in-law at 93

2009-04-26T21:47:00.001-07:00

We had dinner this evening with my mother-in-law, age 93. She is a remarkable lady. Although she is advanced in years, she is still mentally sharp and fun to be around.

We took in dinner. She still offers to cook for us, even though it is dangerous because she has fallen several times in the kitchen.

She is quite hard of hearing and her own voice is very soft now, so it is a little difficult to carry on a conversation--but well worth the effort. She loves to have visitors and would that we could stay late into the evening if we could.

She still likes to go out. She and my wife went to her granddaughter's sacrament meeting this morning for the blessing of the granddaughter's baby. I am constantly amazed at her willingness to do, even though her body is almost worn out!

Several years ago, my wife, my oldest daughter, my mother-in-law and I went to Europe to visit our 4th daughter who was living in Paris. We traipsed all over Europe--going to England, Italy, Switzerland and all around Paris. My Mother-in-law was amazing! She climbed the cathedral steps! She had more energy that I did!

Suffice it to say that unlike some men, I have never felt any reason to complain about this relationship. I can honestly say that my precious mother-in-law is one of the most angelic persons I have every met!

I'm not sure how much longer she is going to be with us, but I hope she can stay as long as she wants to.

My mother at 86

2009-04-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to visit my mother. She is 86 years old, almost deaf, and suffering from a serious decline due to Alzheimers.
She resides in a care home. Her caregivers are attentive, but notwithstanding their attention, and her family's prayer and hopes she continues to go downhill.

She's not quite sure who I am. I believe that she knows that I am someone she SHOULD know, but she's not sure. Yesterday, as usual, she called me by my name, my brother's name, my other brother's name and thought I was her hometeacher.

I got out a book of pictures of Samoa, where our family lived for two years when I was a teenager. Nested in that book was a picture of our family, standing in front of our home in Samoa. She couldn't identify anyone in the picture. BUT--for one brief moment, she said, with a smile on her face, "I remember--we went to Samoa, and your father taught the upper grades and I taught the lower grades."

I'm not sure what she was remembering, since it was not in Samoa, but in Maverick Arizona (little logging town) where she and my dad taught in a two room school house, and she taught grades 1-3, and Dad taught grades 4-8. But at least she remembered something!

I ponder sometimes why she is still here on the earth--maybe so that we can learn empathy, patience and love.

I do love her dearly and I need to visit her more often.

Long Day

2009-04-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

Just came home from a Family History (genealogy) meeting with our Stake HPGL and FHC. This is a meeting that I'm in charge of. We've seen some great progress in this Stake.

I started this morning at 7 a.m. and finished with this meeting. Made for a very long day indeed!

Kids were over for dinner--L and T are getting married in 3 short weeks! We're all very excited!

I feel like I need to call A. I was looking at pictures of her kids and got lonesome--but they're coming for the wedding!

Time to call it a day!

2009-04-18T07:58:00.001-07:00

I spent last weekend (Easter) in Houston with My daughter and her boys, I and Q. R, E, and family are moving to Michigan in May due to E having a new job.
We had a great time--packing boxes and moving them to the garage., disassembling the swing set, and playing!

Two memorable moments--watching Q ride his bike into the nearby lake (no harm done), and the following:

We went to the butterfly exhibit in downtown Houston. We're enjoying the experience when suddenly I hits Q--just seemingly out of the blue!
R: "What's going on--why did you hit him?"
I: "He bit me!"
R to Q: "Did you bite him?"
Q(reluctantly): "Yes!"

Followed by a long conference between Q and R!

I love being a Grandpa!

My Family History Mission

2008-09-04T15:57:00.001-07:00

I've now been a family history support missionary for about 30 days. I have answered about 50 phone calls, and a few emails. What an interesting experience! It's like a box of chocolates--you never know what you are going to get! From some who might be charitably characterized as "nutty" to others who are certifiably OCD (no relation to anyone in our family of course!), to some who have the attitude--"If the church is true, why doesn't this program work the way I want it to!"

Overall it has been a very satisfying experience. I feel that I have been able to help a lot of people, and I have certainly learned a lot about the church's family history programs. My mission leaders are unfailingly kind and supportive. I think 30 years of practicing law has prepared me well to handle a lot of different kind of situations. My interest in computers has paid off--AGAIN!

I'll keep you posted!

My first Blog Post

2008-03-02T19:08:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, just wanted to try this out.