Miss you, Dad

I miss you Dad, it's been so long,
Ten years have passed since you've been gone.

Your big bear hug is what I miss
And on my cheek a loving kiss.

You made me smile instead of frown,
Every time I came to town.

And then one day, not long ago
You couldn't stay, you had to go.

The illness inside you had been a hard test,
But through it all you gave it your best.

All of those days you faced with such pride
And hid that great pain way deep down inside.

You fought so hard to stay a little longer,
No man could ever have been any stronger.

I was filled with such sadness as you slipped away,
Knowing in my heart it would be our last day.

I miss you with fondness and love in my heart,
But you're with me in spirit~we're not really apart.

I love you, Dad
Janelle

Beatles in SD ~ 44 years ago!

Well, I can't honestly say that it "feels like only yesterday" but it sure doesn't seem like 44 years ago either! But 44 years ago today, my Dad braved the crowds of screeching young girls at the old Balboa Stadium by taking me and my two sisters, Jere & Jeannine along with our next-door neigbor, Evelyn, to see The Beatles.....LIVE, in concert, in person. We were excited beyond belief!!!

The entire concert lasted only 30 minutes (for Dad, hardly even worth the drive down there & the parking nightmare) and the price of a general admission ticket was just $3.50 - what a bargain! My, how times have changed.

We were all on Cloud 9 that night, even though we weren't able to hear ANY of the singing! The high-pitched screams of thousands of young girls entirely drowned out all of the music, but that didn't really matter. All we cared about was actually seeing John, Paul, George & Ringo in person! We were so lucky to have had this incredible experience at that time of our lives, and we'll never forget it.

Tonight a San Diego radio station played an original recording of that concert. It was great! It was so neat to be able to listen to it, and to re-live the memories of that night.

This is the news release for the event: The Walrus Celebrates The Beatles in San Diego Tomorrow at 5 p.m.! Forty four years ago, on August 28th, 1965, The Beatles visited Balboa Stadium for their only San Diego Concert. Thousands of San Diegans were there, and tomorrow, 105.7 The Walrus will relive the moment. "Mason in The Morning" and Frank Anthony will present a "live" Beatles Concert at 5 p.m. with a "live" broadcast from the stadium backstage. The concert features John, Paul, George and Ringo at the height of "Beatlemania" in The United States with songs like "She Loves You", "I Want To Hold Your Hand", "Help" and a dozen more. It will be presented on The Walrus commercial free. Make sure your dial is tuned to 105.7 The Walrus at 5 tomorrow afternoon. Can't get to a radio? You can always listen online at walrusfm.com.

Remembering Dear-Ole-Dad!

Today, August 15th, marks the 9 year anniversary of my Dad's passing. In some ways, it seems like forever ago since we've been able to see and talk to him. But then most of the time, it seems like only yesterday.

No matter how much time goes by, the loss of a parent leaves a hole in your heart that can never be filled in the same way again. You don't really ever get over it, but you accept it as part of the life process, and then life goes on. How would we ever experience the joy if we didn't ever experience sorrow and grief along the way?

I'll never stop missing and will always remember.....his big, friendly smile; his welcoming arms; his hearty laugh; his generous spirit; his integrity; his strong hands; watching him make his Famous Sour Cream Pancakes with such finesse; the joy, pride and love he felt for his grandchildren; his intelligence; his never-ending patience; his charming ability to talk to anybody about anything; his enduring faith; his love of a great party with lots of family, friends, and good food; his sense of adventure in trying new things; the good times at the beach at La Salina; he and Mom's many trips to Utah to visit us as Melissa, Brian & Michelle were growing up; his lifelong support of Jere, Nini, Joni and I; his devotion and love for Grandma & Grandpa; his unconditional love of everyone in our entire extended family. The singular thing I miss the most, is the feel of a big bear hug from him. It's also the thing I most look forward to...

Here's a picture of Eric & I on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy. Below that is a photo of Dad, also on a Venetian gondola ride! (About 18 years earlier)

Ti amo per sempre, Dad!!!