Monday, June 20, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
A body in motion...
I have a tendency to take on too much... I find I too succumb to Newton's laws - I stay in motion when life requires it, and sink into a quiet respite of inactivity when the opportunity presents itself. When I married my husband, he thought I never had moments of inactivity - everything was planned, often noted on a list, and typically executed. Today I found it difficult to muster the motivation to slip on a summer dress from my bath robe - ah, the joys of maternity leave... with nothing to do but nurture our son. Soon I will return to being a productive member of the community, but for now I am simply enjoying this sabbatical from (or perhaps to) life.
One of those undone 'tasks' on the unwritten 'to do' list is our birth announcement. We're beginning to make some headway though... my brother took the photos and I have weeded down the 200 plus images to about 10. Here are some of the final picks.
A heartfelt thank you to all of you who joined us in remembering my father on April 30th. I still waiver somewhere between denial and acceptance in my journey grieving this loss. It was wonderful to see so many faces who have been intricately woven into his/our/my life over the years. Folks I haven't seen since childhood and others I had not known, but with whom I share a common admiration and love.
Parenthood is teaching me so much more about my relationship with my father. I am gaining a deeper appreciation for who he was as a person and the choices he made in life. When we let some of his ashes go in a local river, my brother said "thanks for all you have done for us" - and continues to do. An old friend, who has also lost her father told me her young daughter often has conversations with an 'invisible friend' - the friend she believes is her father, acting as a guardian angel. I'd like to believe my dad is now (one of) our guardian angel, if not as Laton's imaginary friend, then in the way I read to him articles in The Economist rather than children's books or in how Eric and I are working together to avoid those 'irreversible mistakes' he always warned against. As I write this Laton's decided to take his first binky. Kura, it was a NUK.
One of those undone 'tasks' on the unwritten 'to do' list is our birth announcement. We're beginning to make some headway though... my brother took the photos and I have weeded down the 200 plus images to about 10. Here are some of the final picks.
A heartfelt thank you to all of you who joined us in remembering my father on April 30th. I still waiver somewhere between denial and acceptance in my journey grieving this loss. It was wonderful to see so many faces who have been intricately woven into his/our/my life over the years. Folks I haven't seen since childhood and others I had not known, but with whom I share a common admiration and love.
Parenthood is teaching me so much more about my relationship with my father. I am gaining a deeper appreciation for who he was as a person and the choices he made in life. When we let some of his ashes go in a local river, my brother said "thanks for all you have done for us" - and continues to do. An old friend, who has also lost her father told me her young daughter often has conversations with an 'invisible friend' - the friend she believes is her father, acting as a guardian angel. I'd like to believe my dad is now (one of) our guardian angel, if not as Laton's imaginary friend, then in the way I read to him articles in The Economist rather than children's books or in how Eric and I are working together to avoid those 'irreversible mistakes' he always warned against. As I write this Laton's decided to take his first binky. Kura, it was a NUK.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Memorial Service this Saturday
Don will be remembered at a 2:00 PM memorial service on Saturday April 30, 2011 at St. John’s on Morgan Hill, 2720 Morgan Hill Road, Williams Township, Easton, PA www.STJohnsMorganHill.org
Hope to see you there.
Hope to see you there.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Announcing Laton James Pirtle
Our son, Laton, was born on 3/23 at 8:38pm. I think he may have the same way with numbers as my father did - March 23, btw, happens to be my parents wedding anniversary - and was also the date Eric and I got engaged. I was born on the summer solstice and am partical to the times of year when the sun crosses over the equator (equinox - the beginning of spring or fall), or from our vantage point on earth, comes to a stop and starts heading in the opposite direction (solstice - the beginning of summer or winter).
I'm sure all parents think their children are special, but I am surprised by how much I enjoy spending time with Laton. Just watching him stretch after a nap or look curiously at the ceiling fan is about the most fun I've had since our wedding. It helps me to understand how much my parents love me - something I 'knew' but truly didn't understand the depth or breadth of. It's been a wonderful 2 weeks and I'm trying to live each moment consciously as I am sure the 3 months maternity leave will fly by...
Looking forward to introducing you to Laton and celebrating my father at the memorial service on April 30th. My mom will be posting specific details of the memorial here shortly.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Grateful to Fargo
We were not supposed to be driving through North Dakota on December 9, but Don was ready to leave Montana and head home. Now, looking back, I can't help but wonder if the accident would have happened had we been driving a day, or a week later.
The frightening details of this journey began in Jamestown when a young woman helped me out of the truck and onto I94. I am thankful for the people who stopped and helped gather our belongings strewn about the highway and to the police and Jamestown Hospital staff who cared for us in those first hours. The hospital staff contacted a driver who drove me to Don who was in the Sanford Hospital. He also helped me check into the Sandia Hotel. This was the beginning of an unbelievably difficult experience.
I'm writing this because I need to express how your compassion and generosity helped me find the courage to face the myriad of emotions I would soon endure. I extend a very heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff of Sanford Hospital who became my support system and extended family. I am grateful to the doctors (especially the Yankee fan), the interns and residents, the compassionate Critical Care nursing staff, the case and social workers, the tech savvy ladies in the business center who helped me stay connected and provided a safe and comfortable place to manage so many responsibilities, the volunteer who helped me meet so many of my needs, the wonderful people in the family rooms who shared their strength while facing their own hardships and the caring people of Fargo who opened their homes to me, shared their holidays, introduced me to their families, provided me with transportation, repaired my wedding ring and selflessly gave of themselves.
Now home alone, the days are long and the nights lonely. However, my thoughts of Fargo warm my heart and the love of my family and friends here at home give me comfort and peace. I will forever cherish my memories of Don and our 37 years together.
Gratefully yours,
The frightening details of this journey began in Jamestown when a young woman helped me out of the truck and onto I94. I am thankful for the people who stopped and helped gather our belongings strewn about the highway and to the police and Jamestown Hospital staff who cared for us in those first hours. The hospital staff contacted a driver who drove me to Don who was in the Sanford Hospital. He also helped me check into the Sandia Hotel. This was the beginning of an unbelievably difficult experience.
I'm writing this because I need to express how your compassion and generosity helped me find the courage to face the myriad of emotions I would soon endure. I extend a very heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff of Sanford Hospital who became my support system and extended family. I am grateful to the doctors (especially the Yankee fan), the interns and residents, the compassionate Critical Care nursing staff, the case and social workers, the tech savvy ladies in the business center who helped me stay connected and provided a safe and comfortable place to manage so many responsibilities, the volunteer who helped me meet so many of my needs, the wonderful people in the family rooms who shared their strength while facing their own hardships and the caring people of Fargo who opened their homes to me, shared their holidays, introduced me to their families, provided me with transportation, repaired my wedding ring and selflessly gave of themselves.
Now home alone, the days are long and the nights lonely. However, my thoughts of Fargo warm my heart and the love of my family and friends here at home give me comfort and peace. I will forever cherish my memories of Don and our 37 years together.
Gratefully yours,
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Open House
Please join us at our home this coming Saturday, January 22 from 3-6 pm to share laughter and tears, memories and the warmth of family and friends.
We will hold a more 'formal' memorial service around May 1.
Email my mom or I if you need directions.
Monday, January 17, 2011
A warm homecoming!
After a fiasco at the airport due to a cancelled flight, my uncle (mom's brother) met her at the airport and drove her home to find a fire in the fireplace, a fresh pot of coffee brewing and neighbors gathered around the kitchen table awaiting her arrival. The first step to returning home is over, and went surprisingly well. Thanks everyone for the warm homecoming!
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