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Thursday, November 22, 2012

I Am Thankful For......

by Tina~in_ut

.....the 5 years and 2 months I knew my friend Michael~

This is the first picture I ever saw of Michael. It was on "DeeDee's" Myspace page. I told "her" he looked like an asshole! lol~ "She" said that he was a dear friend! (rolling eyes!....I was right! lol!) 

.....my husband and children for understanding enough to let me go see Michael when he was sick~

.....Mike's fabulous sisters who kept me updated on how he was doing every step of the way. I made a blanket for Michael, and when it arrived, Janet helped him open the box and had him call me. It was the last time I would talk to him.(Oct 5th) He laughed and told me that Janet cried when she saw it. I could tell that he was having difficulty talking and comprehending at that point, but Janet was there to help him. Vicki is the one who called me to tell me that Michael was gone. We both cried, of course. She asked me if I wanted my blanket back. I didn't and she didn't want it either. She asked if it was okay to bury him with it.....and I immediately said, "Yes! Please do!" What she didn't know was.....the whole time I was making it, it's what I really wanted....I just couldn't ask~ I don't think I could have gotten thru this without them to talk to about their crazy brother~

Vicki*, Janet**, and friend out golfing~ 
I promised Janet:
*pretend there's a mustache on Vicki~
**pretend Janet is in lights~

.....all the phone calls, texts, and e-mails from all of you checking to see if I was okay~ I didn't want to be on the blog or on the phone or e-mail until I could go a full day without crying~ Now if I cry, it's usually because of something that made me laugh or something I would have wanted to tell him. I think Dianne's latest e-mail was the sweetest....and Mary's e-mail made me laugh and laugh! About a week after the Vote video posted, I got an e-mail from Mary, urging me to come back and comment on the blog, and even post something else instead of that dang Vote video! She was just as upset as I was that Nobama won again, but it was no reason to take a break from the blog! You should have seen my eyes bug out! I had to read her note again to make sure I read it right! I mean yeah, I was upset and in shock that he won again....but I got thru 4 years of his mess....and I'll get thru 4 more! A day or two later, I got another note from Mary. Someone finally told her~ Thank you, whoever that was~ Thank you everyone~

.....the fact that Michael's with his Mother and at peace. Janet was kind enough to send me a picture of their mother. I asked Michael for one over and over and he said he didn't have one. I think Janet is the spitting image of her.....beautiful~


.....my friends Jeramie and Jennifer. They have been so good to me and listened and checked on me. Jer bought me cookies to cheer me up~ They've both been really sweet~

.....kodak moments~

July 4th?

1991~





He always loved Halloween~
With Lisa~

With Britton and Alivia
At the Handy Snap~ I actually got to go there with him~
.....being able to share this with you~ When I went to see Michael in August, I didn't tell him I was coming. I was afraid I wouldn't make it on the plane and I knew he didn't feel well. So when I did land in Houston, I started to get nervous. I still had an hours drive ahead of me and I didn't know where he was that day. I had told him not to go to the doctor's office (cuz I figured I'd take him the next day, but he didn't know that!). So when I got to Bryan, I checked into my hotel, and drove straight to the house, and called him! NO ANSWER! I didn't want to knock on the door. I didn't want him to be out and to have to explain who I was to Anna and Douglas. So I drove around town and he finally called. HE WAS PISSED!!!!! He went to the doctor's office and then to Chick-fil-a and the line was 45 min long because it was Chick-fil-a appreciation day. He was starving and it was the only thing he could eat that would stay down. He went on and on...and then I interrupted him and asked him which one he was at. He paused and you could tell he was thinking I was an idiot! But he finally told me he was at the one on Briarcrest. I immediately put that in my GPS and made a U turn! I kept him talking. He was going to go to Kroger instead and get a cheesecake because he wasn't about to wait 45 min for food! I was on the freeway by then and 2 miles from Chick-fil-a. I saw a sign for Kroger at the next exit. I asked him if Kroger was in the same parking lot as Chick-fil-a. He stopped talking again and prolly thought I was on crack! He said no, it was the next exit up! I immediately got off the freeway, but calmly told him that I was just asking cuz I wanted to know if the line had gone down and if not, I'd call in a bomb threat and when everyone left, he could be first in line when everyone came back~ He didn't think that was too funny~ He also had to get off the phone so he could shop! I let him....I had to find him anyway~ :D

I hurried and parked at Kroger and ran into the store to look for a man in a motorized wheelchair/buggie thingy in the bakery section. No one. I went through the whole store. No one. I knew what he looked like. He wasn't there. I started to think.....I bet there is a Kroger at the exit in the other direction! I hurried out to my car. I was going to exit the parking lot when I realized I needed to go in the opposite direction. I turned around and was driving past the front of the store when I had to stop for a car that was going to turn in front of me to park. I looked at the driver. It was Michael. I went to park, but had to turn around because someone had taken my parking space. I again had to stop to let someone enter the store. It was Michael. He was sooooo tall. And soooooo thin. He had trouble walking. He had told me that he had trouble feeling his legs and feet, and you could tell. NO CRYING! UR ON A MISSION!!!

I parked my car and went inside. There he was.....sitting in the bakery section turned away from me waiting for his cheesecake. I walked up behind him and said, "You really should just buy one piece and not the whole thing!" He turned his head slowly. His mouth hung open and his eyes bugged out! But he wasn't really surprised.....well, he was.....but he said it wasn't weird.....if that makes sense. He said we've talked so many times while one of us was shopping that it was like normal. So we shopped. He stopped once, looked up at me and said, "You're not fat!" I looked down at him and said, "You're still an asshole!" We laughed and finished shopping.

Michael went home after that and I went to get his food. I did wash his sheets and make his bed. He had told me the night before that he felt disgusting in his bed, but he was too tired to do his wash. And contrary to popular belief....I did not dust!~ We talked outside for hours. I must have looked like death warmed over. I had been up since 2:30am because I worked a half day that morning. I told him to call me the next day when he was up and ready and I would take him wherever he needed to go. He wanted to have fun and I wanted to take him to get his errands done! We compromised.

We went to the cemetery (i wanted to go there!) and Texas A&M. Then we went to his insurance office and then to his doctor. We were at the doc's office for 4 hours! He was exhausted by the time we left there. Here's a picture I took of him after 2 hours.


This is the second picture I took. The one where I told him to smile~
I thought I would just drop him off after we got back, but he wanted to talk some more. We talked until late, too. He couldn't believe how good he felt. I thought for sure he'd hit a wall the next day, and I think he did. But for a day and a half, he felt good. When I finally left, I think I made it all of about 4 yards before I burst into tears. It hit home what my dad will go through. At least my dad has family to take care of him. Michael didn't have anyone taking care of him.....not really. That's why I was so glad his sister's came to get him. All I wanted to do was go home and see my husband and talk to him about all of it. I'm glad I went, but it was so, so sad~

I took this video of Michael while I was driving. He had to have his own music, so we played his CD. I didn't care for most of it. I only liked the songs from Les Mis~ I showed him the video. He said it depressed him. He didn't like how he looked at all. So, of course, I told him to cut his hair.....it might help!~ I've gone back and forth about whether to post it or not. Janet left it up to me. After much agonizing, here's Michael~ (he'll prolly haunt me now!)



~ Happy Thanksgiving ~


42 comments:

Lynn D said...

Morning Glories and Michael!

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Tinka said...

Good Morning Lynn. Congrats on being first. I hope you have fun with your grandkids today.

Thank you Tina for posting us "Michael's story". It answered so many questions.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Owl friends. Stay safe.
Have a wonderful day.

Just_Lin said...

LynnD Looks like you're the first turkey in the nest today. Not only do you look great, but you smell great, too.

Just_Lin said...

Tina Thanks for making me cry today!!! You were a wonderful friend to Michael and a blessing in his life. I think it is perfect that he is buried with the blanket you made. He used to like to complain about his sisters but I'm so glad he made peace with them and that they were there for him in the end. What a handsome fellow he was. Oh, and I liked his music. Thank you so much for posting this blog, the photos, the video. (((HUGS)))

sacBarb said...

Tina, That is a great tribute to Michael. I am so glad you decided to post it. It gives us all some insight into the enigma that was Michael. Thank you.

Jodi said...

So glad I checked the blog before I head out to Aunt Jane's!!

TINA - Thank you for sharing your story. Loved all the pics and the video. Still love u 4 ♥

Jodi said...

Waving a wing at LYNN, TINKA, SLIN & BARB!!

Just_Lin said...

Tinka I'm about to put my pumpkin pie in the oven. I used to make my own pumpkin pie but now it is just a frozen one but I will enjoy it nonetheless. It's not exactly one of your famous buns but it will have to do.

sacBarb said...

Happy Thanksgiving to all you wonderful Owls. Of all the many things that I am thankful for, you all are very close to the top of the list. This has been an interesting year and I want to thank you for all your support during my surgery and recovery and just in general. I love you all. ♥♥♥

Jodi said...

Well...surprise, surprise!! My hubby IS going to Aunt Jane's .... and I didn't have to tell him where to go ;)

Jodi said...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING HOoters! I will forever b thankful for your friendship and support over the years. You truly are my extended family ♥

Just_Lin said...

Waving a turkey wing at SacBarb and HOdi! Thank you for your friendship!

Zona said...

TINA: Great pictures..great video..thank you for sharing them with us. I'm glad he was able to reconnect with his sisters..and that they are now part of your life. What an amazing friendship you and MICHAEL had..it's not often you find someone who understands..who 'gets' you..but you and MICHAEL did..and you're right..that truly is something to be thankful for.

Zona said...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

LYNN, TINKA, JODI, BARB, TINA..and all that fly in later..I hope everyone has a wonderful day! :)

Dianne/Denver said...

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Tina, great tribute to Michael and thanks for sharing your story and video. I would loved to see the surprised face he had when there you were at the grocery store. I'm so glad you were able to have a visit with him. You were a great friends.

Dianne/Denver said...

Well, I think it's probably the first time in 66 years I slept through the parade. I guess I stayed up too late and then slept too late. Darn it. I'm assuming Santa arrived as normal. :)

Zona, glad you finally got your squash cut!! Dangerous job.
Have a good day. Did randy get turkey done, stuffing made and all the trees decorated?

Lynn, you are our pretty Thanksgiving owl at first today. Enjoy your day. Did that rain stop yet?

JL, sounds like your meal is planned. Hope you have whip cream for that pie. I love love pumpkin pie but not without the creme

Barb, I'm thankful for all of you too. I'm so glad your surgery went so well and you are feeling good. It's been a different year. Thanks for always answering and being supportive of my knee whines.

Tink, enjoy your family day. Wish I had some of those buns. (But as Jodi reminds me...not buttered) :)

Jodi, enjoy your afternoon with family. Sounds like you have a good day planned

Everyone enjoy their day and the food too!!

Tina~in_ut said...

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone~

Just finished eating~ Ate just enuf to leave room for dessert~ We had a priest over to eat~ Now I want to nap~

Thank you everyone for ur comments~

Janet read it this morning and will show Vicki later today~ :D

Jodi said...

DIANNE - Had a great afternoon! Good food, family and some laughs :)

TINA - Taking a nap, too. U know....on my cooch ;)

Jodi said...

ZONA - Did u make apple crisp?

Mary/MI said...

It's 11pm here and finally able to check the blog.
Tina,Everyone should have a friend like you. I am glad you got to say your goodbyes to him. He had such a peaceful look on his face while you were filming him.

That being said... by God you better come see me in my nursing home!! I won't be so elusive! You will find me either in the turlet or the music room!! Hopefully no time soon!!!LOL!

I now know how my stuffed turkey felt, minus the oven part. :)

Our nice weather will end tomorrow. Light coats today and snow tomorrow! BLECK!

I am thanksful tonight for all my blogging & FB buddies. You all rock!!

Dianne/Denver said...

Hi Mary , Happy Thanksgiving. It sounds like you had a good day and your tummy is full. I think we are all pretty full at this point today. It is one of my favorite meals of the year.

Tina~in_ut said...

I'm ready to eat again~ I've had my nap and I'm ready to go again~ :D

Just_Lin said...

Im only cooked for myself so why am I so worn out and my kitchen is still a mess? Well, I did eat kind of late but I better hoist myself out of this chair and do the clean-up.

Just_Lin said...

Mary Maybe they'll have bingo games in the nursing home.

Just_Lin said...

Zona Hope you had a wonderful day, too.

Just_Lin said...

Dianne I haven't had any pie yet; still too full. I do have whipped cream, though.

Just_Lin said...

Tina You were talking about eating, right? LOL

Tina~in_ut said...

oh shit J/L~ I've missed you! YES!!! Eating...food!!!!~ ga!!!!~

Dianne/Denver said...

JL, I know for a fact that there is bingo in most nursing homes....remember, I've been on both sides of it now. :)

Just_Lin said...

Tina I've missed you, too. We all have. <3

Just_Lin said...

Dianne You and Mary could really clean up at Bingo. Mary could signal you as to what number she needs you to call and you could call it, regardless of what number comes up. The old folks would never know. Most of them can't see well, anyway.

Tina~in_ut said...

get real J/L~ those bingo players are killer....we'd end up having to collect bail money to git them outta jail~ I just werked 30 hrs of overtime last week.....I'm not about to spend all that money on gitting Di and Mary outta jail!!!~ I'd spend it on gitting them drunk....or laid...but not outta jail!!~ uh-uh~ :)~

Just_Lin said...

Tina 30 hours! Wow, that's gonna be a nice healthy paycheck. Well, you won't have to spend it on getting Dianne laid because she announced that she's not in the mood to "butter biscuits". Now, Mary may be a different story, especially if we're talking about cabana boys.

Tina~in_ut said...

....but with Di...it would be good exercise...kwim?~ :D

Jodi said...

TINA - She's suppose to be working on straightening her leg, not wrapping it back by her head ;)

Tina~in_ut said...

lmbo...shit Jodi~ roflmbo~

Dianne/Denver said...

Thank you Jodi!!! Tina is pushing on those biscuits again with me. Now lets see, Louis is out of town so hmm........

Tina you re so right about how serious the bingo people are and how they watch every number. I've been corrected more than once if I called a B15 when in fact I meant to say I15....that catch it in a second. It's very sweet of you to offer to get me drunk or laid though. It may cost you your whole ot check for the second one!!

Dianne/Denver said...

Tina and Jodi. I'll discuss your ideas with my pt people today. Won't they think I'm an "interesting" case?

Tina~in_ut said...

it is B15 u dork.....no such thing as I15~ stop calling bingo, mkay?!~ :)~

Dianne/Denver said...

Tina, that's what they said .....I'm no longer calling or playing bingo

Tina~in_ut said...

lq~ goodnight, Di~

Dianne/Denver said...

I've already been asleep forvhoursvand just woke up with all the lights on etc., now back to sleep...night