THE SQUIRREL STORY

Yesterday was Jeffrey's birthday - he would've been 61.  There's not a day goes by that I don't think of him, usually with a smile because no one could make me laugh like he could.

People who didn't really know Jeffrey probably thought of him as kind of a tough guy.  And he was . . . if he had to be.  But the "real" Jeffrey had a soft heart that most people never saw.  That's why I'm going to tell you my squirrel story.

One morning during the process of renovating Mama and Daddy's house, I found a dead squirrel on the dining room floor.  It freaked me out because, first of all, what is a squirrel doing in the house (???) and it looked so healthy - why did it die?  Plus, it appeared to be the squirrel that use to regularly visit Mama at the front door.  Sad.  A few minutes later, I went to the garage where guys were working on drywall and there's a baby squirrel running around back and forth between their feet!  Poor little thing . . . he was about 3 1/2" tall and obviously traumatized.  

So what did I do?  I called Jeffrey.  He stopped what he was doing and was at the house within 5 minutes or so with a small box in hand.  We managed to get Baby Squirrel in the box and Jeffrey took him home.  After some online research, he went out and bought some Pedialyte,  which Baby Squirrel devoured and then curled up in the scraps of cloth that Jeffrey had put in the box for him.  After more online research, he decided that raising Baby Squirrel would be more complicated than he first thought so he called Walden's Puddle, and they agreed to raise Baby Squirrel.  He drove all the way out to Walden's Puddle (and if any of you have ever been there, you know how far that is . . . its waaay out in the woods),  and handed Baby Squirrel over to their care.  Before leaving, he also gave them money asking if it would " be enough to get Baby Squirrel through grade school?"

Now, how many men do you know that would've done all that for a little baby squirrel?

Jeffrey was opinionated and could lose his temper, but for the most part he was funny, generous and kind.  Even we, his family, were surprised to learn the depth of his generosity after going through his personal belongings after his death.  (But isn't that the way it is suppose to be?  Aren't we suppose to help people in need without telling others and bragging about it?)

The Jeffrey I knew was a soft-hearted teddy-bear; and in honor of his birthday, I just wanted to share that side of him with you.  Also, I know that most people knew him as "Jeff".  But to me,  he'll always be my little brother, Jeffrey.

Some Interesting Facts about Jeffrey:

He was an expert marksman with both rifles and small arms.  He was on the Navy Shooting Team for the 1984 National Championship competition winning three 2nd place and 1 third place position. 

He was  a  talented gunsmith.

He was a private pilot.  (He also enjoyed his collection of remote controlled aircraft.)

He was a John Wayne fan.

He hated Highland Rim Speedway.

His favorite TV show was The Price is Right.  He watched it every single day.

His music of choice was David Bowie, Pink Floyd and other artists from the 70s.  Its what he listened to when he rode his motorcycle.

The reason he spoke so loudly was because of his hearing loss (a casualty of living so many years on an aircraft carrier) - he didn't realize that he was much louder than most other people.

He considered his time spent in the Navy to be the single most important thing he did in his life.  He truly loved this country.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jeffrey.  You can find more in a photo gallery here and an earlier blogpost  here.

THERE'S THAT WORD AGAIN. . .

CANCER.

Daddy had it.  Mama had it.  Jeffrey had it.  And now Denny has it too.  No doubt about it - cancer is a terrible thing.

Denny experienced stomach problems off and on for a year or so, but symptoms worsened earlier this spring.  If you look back through my Life Lately posts, you will find photos that document some of the process he's been through during the last few months.  After enduring test after test after test,  we finally got a diagnosis on June 7:  Biliary/Gallbladder cancer that metastasized to the liver - stage 4 - inoperable and terminal.  Certainly not what we wanted to hear.  We were stunned.  I cried.  I'm still crying everyday.

Denny is being brave and proving, once again, what a strong man he is.  His attitude is one of being grateful for time to make preparations and determination to enjoy life the best he can for however much time he has left.  He played a couple games of golf since the diagnosis, but has now put golf on hold since he decided that he's not just going to let cancer win without putting up a fight.  He had a port implanted in his shoulder earlier this week and will begin chemo in a couple of days.  

We've heard some really bad stories about chemo, so we're naturally worried about how it will effect him, but we're hoping (and praying) for the best.  

We have been overwhelmed with an outpouring of love and support from friends and family.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

I am now devoting all my time to caring for Denny - that's where my focus needs to be - there is nothing else more important.  I will, however,  try to keep this blog current with updates for those who are interested.

FATHER'S DAY 2016

While cleaning out Mama and Daddy's house last year as we prepared to move in, I found an old wallet of Daddy's.  This photo was the only thing in it.  I just couldn't bring myself to throw it away .  Not that I need one, but its a reminder that he loved me . . .  and, its just nice to have it around.

No matter how old I get (and I'm getting pretty old!), I will always miss my daddy.  He sure was a good one.