Debbie K's life in general...

I AM SO FAR BEHIND IN BLOGGING...

2011-07-19T15:34:00.003-05:00

Well, it has been over a year since I last posted anything. I wanted to start blogging and catch up on everything which has happened in a year, but that would take too long.
So here's a summary:
Andrew joined the Navy and is stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. I miss him, but was fortunate to spend July 4th weekend with him.
April is working hard at a full time job and keeps busy with her two English Bull Mastiffs, Knox & Lola.
Kayla just moved to Chattanooga and will be teaching 10th & 11th grade English this fall.
The grandbabies are now 5 and 2. Yes, folks, time does fly!!!
My cousin's son & wife just had a beautiful baby girl born on June 26th.
Aubie finally grew into those huge ears of his.
Summer has been very busy so far and a family beach trip is in the works.
Life remains interesting with plenty of ups and downs and stress this summer. Sometimes I would like to get off this crazy merry-go-round called life and rest my mind and soul for awhile. But that would be silly and is only my wishful thinking. I am truly blessed in all areas of my life. Well, I guess I will try to post some pictures if I can remember how. Take care! Love ya!!!

Introducing Aubie...

2010-07-01T17:58:00.005-05:00

Our precious little male kitten who we adopted from a local shelter on June 12th. He makes a wonderful addition to our family and gives Harley the companionship she needs when we are out of town. He is oddly shaped right now and we are hoping he grows into those BIG ears! And he was named after the mascot for Auburn University!

IN REMEMBRANCE OF MARY COUEY

2010-03-30T17:11:00.006-05:00

A remembrance video for Mary Couey. Mary was killed by a drunk driver on March 31st, 2009. Mary's life was cut much too short, but she will always be remembered by those who knew and loved her.

youtube video by wesmackenz - April 7, 2009

HELLO!

2010-03-16T13:31:00.003-05:00

I was reminded by a dear friend that I have not written on my blog in quite some time and she is right. I have neglected my blog for other interests.

Here is what has been happening since January:

Started back to work (on a temporary basis) in January
Had Gall Bladder out on February 11 (no problems there)
Snow in Elba, Alabama on February 12th - a very rare event for us
Went back to work to work 2 weeks later part time
My baby (Andrew) turned 25 in March
Kelley Michelle is now crawling full speed

Love to all!

MY SWEET HARLEY!!!

2010-01-11T18:33:00.002-06:00

Taken on Christmas Day 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2009-12-31T14:19:00.003-06:00

I am not one to make New Year resolutions as they are soon forgotten, but I hope to do better with my blog in 2010. If you read now, do not give up on me. I have so much to say, but not always in the mood to do so.

My heart goes out to my friend, Rose, who lost her precious daughter, Mary, in 2009. Rose, I cannot begin to feel the grief of your soul, but my heart goes out to you and Kerry. I can only try to look back and understand the same type of grief our family went through when my brother's life was taken at age 9 in 1968. Be strong and continue to honor Mary. Keep her memory alive and she will always be near you in spirit. Love ya!

Wishing everyone a Blessed, Healthy and Happy 2010!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2009-12-23T14:26:00.000-06:00

I AM SO FAR BEHIND!

2009-11-21T15:58:00.010-06:00

I am so ashamed that I have neglected my blog for so long. No excuses, just have not thought about posting. There is so much to write about that I don't know where to start and that is what makes it so hard. So I will just offer you some new pictures today of Our Little Man and The Princess and maybe I can catch up later. Thanks for reading!

Just Say NO To Wallpaper!!!

2009-10-01T09:25:00.004-05:00

Taking down wallpaper - this is what has consumed my days for the past 3 or is it 4 weeks. I can't remember. It was fun at first, but now it is a dreadful chore which I put off until the late afternoon everyday. We started in the kitchen using wallpaper remover and making sure we followed all directions like scoring the paper first and then drenching it with the gel remover. We even tried the fabric softener trick. Well, it has been a nightmare. We have pulled off more sheet rock and paint then we ever thought could happen. Now, we need to work above and around the cabinets and I just don't have the motivation or energy.

But on a lighter note, we decided to move to the living room (just for a change of scenery) and that wallpaper came off so easy without hardly any effort. What gives - what is the difference between the living room wallpaper and kitchen wallpaper??? So we, also, tackled the wallpaper in the back hallway near the laundry room and garage and it, too, comes off with ease. So I got to looking at the walls and realized the kitchen was painted in a different color paint and I'm guessing even a cheap brand. So it's not our technique nor the wallpaper. It is the paint under the wallpaper.

So we will press on with the wallpaper removal one inch at a time. I will try to post pictures soon of our poor kitchen walls which look like a tiger went crazy and tore up the walls.

Just wanted to let all my readers know why I have not posted lately.

Our Little Princess

2009-08-26T14:09:00.008-05:00

Just have to post some pictures of Kelley Michelle taken this past Saturday. She is just a little doll and growing up so fast.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-26T09:22:00.004-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-19T10:06:00.003-05:00

November 3, 2007

I Am Addicted...

2009-08-17T21:38:00.002-05:00

...to Facebook and playing "Farmville". This is what has become of me since I lost my job last November. (Just kidding) It really is fun and it keeps my math in check since I do have to watch how I spend my hard earned coins on the farm. Jerry says he needs to find me a job. LOL!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-12T10:38:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-05T10:11:00.002-05:00

Beach Trip - July 2009

2009-08-04T16:44:00.015-05:00

Riding the train with his buddy, Andrew!

All dressed up for dinner!
Our Little Princess!
Couch Potatoes!
The crew at sea!
Happy Pirate!
Looking for seashells!
Modeling his swimsuit!
Catching the beach breeze!
Sweet smile!
Beach Baby!
Happy Birthday, Pops!
We celebrated Jerry's birthday (July 24) and Lance's birthday (July 28) at the beach. We took Jerryn Hayes on the Pirate Cruise near Captain Anderson's at Panama City Beach. It was well worth the money and 2 hours spent on the ship. Our little Princess smiled at everyone and held her own conversations. We didn't take any family group pictures this year, because April was not with us. We took 304 pictures so it was hard to choose just a few for the blog.

Been Gone Too Long!

2009-08-04T16:40:00.003-05:00

Well, I have been absent from posting anything on my blog since the day I had to make the decision to end KC's pain. I haven't felt like posting anything. We had a family beach trip just shortly after July 21st. That kept me busy until I came back home. Last week was just sad and this week I am trying to do better. So I thought I had better post something soon or I will lose all my readers. So coming up next, will be some beach pictures.

I Lost A Dear Friend Today

2009-07-21T12:43:00.006-05:00

If you are not an animal lover or never have had to deal with the death of a pet, then you will not understand the hurt which comes with making the decision to put one to sleep too soon due to disease. This is what happened today to my little friend, K.C. You can read about her in a post I wrote dated January 22, 2009 titled "My Little Shadow".

K.C. was diagnosed with Feline Leukemia in May 2008 after we had adopted her in August 2007. We never knew she had this disease until long after she had lived with us and our other cat, Harley. It is possible that she has passed it on to Harley, but at this time, I do not want to know. Harley seems healthy. K.C. had her good and bad days - sometimes she would sleep all day and then be fine the next 5 or 6. Toward the end, it became harder to get her to eat as she couldn't smell food that well which meant she didn't want to eat. But she maintained her petite weight of 6 pounds for a long time.

I could tell she was having more bad days than good, but she still kept going until the last 3 weeks. I took her to the vet on 07/01/09 (she had not been since 08/08) and she was running fever and had 3 injections and IV fluids. She perked up and it bought us another good week, but I could tell she was not going to come out of it this time. After watching her yesterday and last night, I knew it was time. I had hoped she would pass on her own, but I did have to make that decision this morning and now her pain and suffering are over.

So if you have never experienced this type of loss of a family pet, it is hard to imagine the pain I feel today. Her 2 years of love was worth every bit of the hurt I have right now. Wish she could had lived a long time.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-15T09:16:00.002-05:00

Lightning McQueen (aka Jerryn Hayes)!!!

2009-07-13T15:10:00.003-05:00

Scenes from the 4th!

2009-07-07T13:43:00.009-05:00

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-02T17:35:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-01T09:16:00.002-05:00

Proud Great Grandmother

2009-06-30T16:15:00.004-05:00

Mrs. Doris holding Kelley Michelle on June 20, 2009

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jerryn Hayes!

2009-06-30T16:06:00.009-05:00

Our little man turned 3 on June 16th and we celebrated with a Disney "Cars" Party Theme on June 2oth. It was very hot and the idea of eating outside was discarded, but the bouncy house was a hit! Jerryn Hayes had a wonderful time and that is all that matters.

Missing In Action?

2009-06-29T13:02:00.004-05:00

I have been extremely busy and out of town and I will be posting soon. A lot has happen - our little princess is almost 8 weeks old and Jerryn Hayes turned 3 two weeks ago. Pictures are coming soon once I catch up on some laundry and other important details.
Love to all and thanks for reading.

Our Little Princess

2009-06-02T14:11:00.010-05:00

Well, unbelievably, tomorrow will be 4 weeks since our little Princess was born. These pictures were taken last week at only 3 weeks old. She is a good baby.

2009-05-27T13:46:00.008-05:00

We participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request. Join a community of friends who care about you, and hope you will care about them.

Please continue to pray for the Couey family.

"Did You Know?"

2009-05-19T17:16:00.013-05:00

I wanted to add a note to let you know that Mary was coming back from visitation of a young man who had died. Read this poem as if Mary is asking the questions to the drunk driver who took her young life.

"Did you know?"
A poem by Rose Couey
Written about her daughter, Mary Couey,
who was killed March 31, 2009 in a DUI crash

Did you know when you started the engine that night
You’d change the world forever?

Did you know when you put the truck in gear
You’d destroy the hearts of many?

Did you know when you said good bye to your friends
My family and friends would cry endlessly?

Did you know when you thought you were ok to drive
Your truck turned into a weapon?

Did you know when your head shook to clear your vision
My eyes had been crying for the loss of a friend?

Did you know when you turned on the truck lights
They’d be the last thing I ever saw?

Did you know when you opened the window for fresh air
I would draw my last breath that night?

Did you know when you thought you were driving ok
I was on my way home to see my brother?

Did you know when your eyes were getting heavy
I was only ten miles from my front door?

Did you know when you took some deep breaths to focus
I was thinking about my wedding day?

Did you know when you crossed that center line
I was thinking about the love of my life?

Did you know when you crashed into my car
I was dead a second later?

Did you know when you sat on the side of the road
What you had actually done?

Did you know when you started the engine that night
You’d change the world forever?

Kelley Michelle has arrived!!!

2009-05-06T16:00:00.017-05:00

Well, our beautiful little princess decided that Thursday, May 7th would not be good for her schedule so she surprised her mommy by causing labor pains early this morning. So Lance & Misty head for the hospital at 4 am interrupting Lance's night shift as a police officer. Not long after their arrival all signs indicated birth was in order today. So at 7:25 am Kelley Michelle came into this world per C-section and she had her eyes wide open ready to take on the world at 7 pounds, 8 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long.

Thursday is the Day!

2009-05-04T13:47:00.004-05:00

Well, it looks like our little Kelley Michelle has decided she likes her sideways position and does not want to turn. So the doctor has scheduled a C-section for this Thursday, May 7th at 7:15 am to bring this precious little girl into the world. We are all excited, but please keep Misty in your prayers. This was not planned and she is a bit nervous.
It will be a special time as Jerryn Hayes was born the Friday before Father's Day and now Kelley Michelle will arrive the Thursday before Mother's Day. I will post again on either Thursday or Friday with some pictures. Stay tune...

Easter with Jerryn Hayes

2009-04-16T13:38:00.013-05:00

Just a few pictures to show our grandson with his Easter basket and hunting eggs in our front yard. He was cute when he saw his Easter basket. He said "Hot Diggity Dog!" He loves to hunt Easter eggs and he wants to do it all year long. He is a sweet little boy.

Thank you, Jesus!

2009-04-09T14:58:00.005-05:00

YouTube video by geetarzan66 March 26, 2008

How Can I Title Such a Loss?

2009-04-03T14:28:00.009-05:00

My Friend, Rose, lost her 28 year old daughter, Mary, in a tragic car accident early Tuesday morning. Her young and precious life was taken by a drunk driver. Mary was a year older than my daughter, April, and I watched Mary grow up. She was the sweetest and cutest child and was always happy. My heart cannot even imagine what Rose is going through as a Mother. Below is part of the newspaper article. I do not have a picture of Mary.

A young woman lost her life in an early morning traffic accident Tuesday and the man who allegedly hit her faces multiple charges.
Mary Arliss Couey, 28, of Vineyard Road, died at the scene of the 12:30 a.m. accident on U.S. 64 West, near Chunky Gal Stables.

“Mary loved hiking, camping, growing vegetables and fruit,” her mother Rose Couey said. “She also loved to cook and sew. She was looking at starting a business making purses.”
Couey was engaged to Tony DeMarco, of Hayesville. The couple planned a June 20 wedding. Mary and DeMarco had been engaged for about two years but knew each other their whole life. He was hiking the Appalachian Trail and had to be located to be told of Mary’s death.
“Mary was always smiling,” Rose said. “She was everybody’s angel. She would help anyone, anywhere.”
About two years ago when Mary was on her way to work across the mountain, she came around a curve and saw a car overturned. Her mother said Mary rushed to the car and pulled a mother and child out. She waited with them until paramedics arrived.
“That was just the way she was,” Rose said. “One of her friends called her an old soul.”
Mary was the middle of three children. Her sister, Julie Apple said Mary was very generous and always trying to help her out. Younger brother Daniel was also close to Mary. He is awaiting an organ transplant and Mary championed the cause of organ donation.
“She was an organ donor, but because of the accident and the autopsy, that can’t happen,” Rose said. “I wish I could make that other driver realize what he did. He stole her life and he stole her ability to save other’s lives. This is what drunk driving does. He took everything away from me.”
“Mary was the glue that held us together,” Apple said. “She would laugh at the drop of a hat. It would always make me feel good when I could tell her a funny story and make her laugh. She was so quick witted.”
Mary is survived by her parents Kerry and Rose Couey, her sister Julie Apple, her brother Daniel and nieces and nephews. Her aunt and uncle Carol and Donald Couey and uncle John Couey live in Clay County.
As the family waits for the autopsy and makes arrangements to celebrate Mary’s life, Rose hopes people will take the time to honor her daughter’s memory. Donations can be made in her memory to her brother’s transplant fund at www.gatransplant.org/client/dcouey. They can also become an organ donor or make a donation to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Rose said.

Stellan - Prayers needed!

2009-03-23T14:12:00.003-05:00

Please pray for little Stellan who was rushed to the hospital early this morning with a heart rate of 300 beats per minute meaning he has SVT(Supra Ventricular Tachycardia=very high heart rate). He was diagnosed with this condition before birth but was born healthy. Praise God! Now, he is very ill and prayers are being lifted up from many. Click on the link below to read this blog.

Have You Hug Someone Today? They're Free, You Know!

2009-03-21T17:12:00.004-05:00

YouTube video by PeaceOnEarth123 - September 22, 2006

Pray For Me, Pray For Others

2009-03-18T14:45:00.001-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T13:16:00.017-05:00

The Irish side of me (McCarty) is wishing everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

2009-03-09T14:33:00.012-05:00

It doesn't seem like 24 years have already passed since my precious son, Christopher Andrew Morrison, was born. He has been such a joy since the first day and always keeps me laughing. Andrew is the "fixer" of all electronic/computer problems and gladly offers help over the phone or when he comes for a visit for those of us who are not so savvy in this field. He is very smart and loving. He is everything a Mother could ask for in a son and very handsome too!
Happy Birthday Andrew!

What happen to GOOD customer service?!!!

2009-02-24T10:50:00.007-06:00

After several disappointing experiences lately, I have questioned what has happen to good customer service these days. We have made so many phone calls lately to companies who have messed up our bills month after month. Who is running the billing/accounting departments in these companies, I wonder?!! One experience is with a cell phone company who forgot to check a certain feature on a cell phone we bought one of our daughters for Christmas, resulting in a domino effect of errors in minutes, plans, etc for the past 2 bills. And when you call the local office, one person tells you the correct $ amount to pay, but next month the bill is messed up again because this time someone changed our plan resulting in overage of minutes, so here we go again. Now, we cannot get anyone to call us back to straighten out this mess and the bill is due in 2 days. Hello People, we are trying to pay our bill. Do you or do you not want us to pay our bill?

Then you get the young person in a retail store who doesn't bother to utter a word to you during the entire transaction and then you feel like giving them a sarcastic "Thank You" at the end. Guess what they say in return....."No Problem"! What"!!! Guess we were bothering their thought process by getting in the line at their register.

And shall I even start with the cable people who evidently do not wear watches or have clocks in their vehicles. Last experience - I was called by the friendly gal at the cable office - "Mrs. Kelley, we would like to come out to your house at 8:45 the next morning and finish the process of getting your phone lines adjusted." (We recently purchased a bundle package from a cable company). So I say okay. Then that evening I receive another phone call from a different lady confirming the appointment of 8:45 am. "Okay, got it", I said. So here I am the next morning, rushing like crazy to get up, get myself showered and dressed by 8:45 and no one shows. Finally, I call about 9:15 back to the office with the friendly gal and she tells me she will find the dispatcher and call me back. Well, she held up her end of the bargain and called me right back. "He will be there in about 10 to 15 minutes, Mrs. Kelley" No explanation for the tardiness or apology. Okay, I am thinking this nice salesman comes to your house, sells you a great bundle package with a different cable provider, but fails to tell you that their customer service is the same as everyone else. Or maybe I just live in a dream world and figured that it would be different. Nope, everything is about the same with all companies.

But on a lighter note, we did receive the best possible customer service from a young man named James at the local Office Depot. So I guess if you look hard enough, you will occasionally find good customer service. :o)

A Beautiful Family

2009-02-03T16:20:00.003-06:00

By accident one day, I came across a blog titled "A Place Called Simplicity" which describes a loving family who has adopted several children the last two being from Africa and one waiting in China. They live a great testimony and you have to read their blog to fully grasp what they are all about. However, on January 14, 2009 they lost their home to a fire and barely escaped with their lives. They are currently living in a hotel. An application has been submitted to ABC's Extreme Home Makeover to rebuild this family a home. Please keep them in your prayers. They need a new home desparately. Thanks so much!!

I love...

2009-01-22T16:58:00.009-06:00

My Harley Girl

2009-01-22T14:07:00.009-06:00

Well, I feel as if I should give equal time to my wild woman. From the first day she came into my life, she has been a wild one and extremely entertaining. She is so animated with the way she begs for treats, lizards or anything else she wants. Harley has been such a joy since the first day she came into our lives. She healed my broken heart just a month after losing my precious Muffin of 14 years. It was love at first sight and I am so glad she is here. She is a little too aggressive for K.C. on some occasions, but Harley has mothered K.C. since the first day.
I want to share a few pictures of my Harley girl. Some were taken this past Christmas when she decided to strike various poses inside an empty shirt box. Enjoy!

My Little Shadow

2009-01-22T12:10:00.007-06:00

Best Buds!!!

I have two cats who are dear to me, but one follows me from room to room like a little dog. I guess I have babied K.C. more in the past year due to the fact she has been so sick with fevers, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, etc. Then in May, we found out she has Feline Leukemia and probably was born with this horrible disease. After coming to grips and shedding many tears, I have learn how to care for her on the good AND bad days. I guess I treat K.C. a little more special than Harley due to her special needs. Now don't get me wrong, I love Harley so much and she came into my life after the loss of my precious Muffin in 2005. Harley healed my heart in so many ways and gave me the courage to love a pet again without fear of the horrendous heartbreak of losing one.
But after about a year, I could tell Harley needed a playmate. K.C. (short for Kitty Cat) was found by our neighbor on the local golf course. He brought her home, but really did not have the time for her. So K.C. started showing up at our house, looking through our windows, running into the garage to our back door just looking for attention. Then I let her come in a few times and Harley loved playing with her. I called my neighbor and he agreed (after some persuading) to let us have K.C. Little did we know how sick this precious girl would become. The vet gave up on her in September telling us she was so anemic, she could go to sleep one night and not wake up. Well, she is still going and I truly believe she thinks I am her Momma. On the good days, she follows me from room to room earning the nickname of "My Shadow". I don't want to think about what may happen one day, but rather enjoy every day I am blessed with her presence. Thank you, God, for allowing me another day with my precious K.C. aka Katie K or Katie girl.

We did it again!

2008-12-15T18:22:00.015-06:00

Well, here it is just a few days before Christmas and we have gone overboard with the kids, again. We always say "Just get them one big thing and give gift certificates!" But we (or at least I do) love to shop and get carried away. I think I will have to start serving lunch to the UPS man any day now as he is a daily visitor to our house. How I love to buy for the "kids" and see the joy on their faces while opening their gifts. Actually, the buying is the fun part - the wrapping takes up a lot of time and I threaten each year to just throw each person's gifts in a black yard size trash bag and attached a big red bow. Sounds easy to me, but not quite as attractive for taking pictures of the tree and the unopened gifts on Christmas morning. Two of our bedrooms have been deemed as warehouses holding the merchandise waiting patiently to be wrapped. But when Christmas is over, the house will be empty - all the gifts will be headed to Enterprise, Auburn and Atlanta. The house will be quiet and once again I will wish for that day when I was stepping over various types of merchandise and wondering if I will get each gift wrapped in time.

Today I lost my job...

2008-11-19T17:12:00.008-06:00

You know, you always wonder what your reaction will be when someone calls you and tells you that you are not needed due to cutbacks. You hear them telling you "it is not performance, it is just a reduction of head count within a failing company." Is this a line that all companies use?!! Well, it hits you harder than you think. All of a sudden you are faced at your middle age with trying to find a new job. You will not be coming into the office everyday and turning on your computer to work. What happens now? How do you adjust? What is that old saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks!!"

So after you finally digest the news, you are brave enough to ask who will be doing my job once I am gone. I am the only one who has ever done this job. I have no fill-in when I am out of the office. I have been doing the same thing for 7 years. Then they decide to give it to someone who is already overloaded. This is the way big corporate companies work - overload their employees and make a less productive employee which leads to less profit, therefore creating more of a loss within the company leading to more cutbacks.

What can I say, I am still trying to take it all in. "It could be worse", I tell myself. It will all work out AND I know it will in time, but it is just hard to get my mind & heart to work together right now.

The Lord has led me to the past 3 jobs I have been involved in. He must have something better for me now. I wonder what?

Stay tune....

Happy Birthday, April!

2008-11-18T10:06:00.015-06:00

Twenty seven years ago, today, God gave me a precious & perfect daughter who has brought joy to every day of my life since the moment she was born. It is hard to believe that 27 years have gone by since that day. As a Mother you never forget each detail of your baby's birth and the moment of exhilaration when you see her face for the first time. Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter, my baby forever!!!

Missing My Dad

2008-10-08T16:26:00.037-05:00

Today marks the 4 year anniversary of a very sad day in my life - Friday, October 8, 2004. It is the day I lost my Dad. It was a very hard decision to release my Dad from his earthly, worn out body and free his spirit to heaven to acquire a forever healthy one. It is a day I will never forget and was in no way prepared for, but are we ever ready to let go of our parents? Praise God my Dad was independent until just a few days before he left this earth. He never had to be put in a nursing home and was still driving. My Dad encountered several health problems the last few years of his life. His kidneys would not work so he became a dialysis patient and endured a lot of pain, bruising and complications from having the shunt put in for his dialysis as well as numerous medical procedures. He had to go 3 days a week, but almost immediately became friends with all the nurses. He was a simple man, but full of charm. My Dad was admitted to the hospital just a few days after a fall in a parking lot. He had already been to the emergency room over the weekend, but they failed to find anything wrong so they sent him home. After a miserable weekend of severe pain, he was admitted to the hospital and that is when the crack in his hip was found. This was on Monday, October 4th. On Tuesday night, he was complaining of extreme heartburn which they gave him medication to relieve. Unfortunately, this was a sign of something more serious and my Dad had a major heart attack in the early morning hours which put him in intensive care on life support. At first I thought, why life support, since my Dad had a living will on file with the hospital. But then I realized it was all a part of God's plan as none of us would had been able to say our goodbyes to my Dad, my children's Papa, and those who knew him as Junior as well as Leland H. McCarty. Also, I realized if my Dad had been home, he would had died immediately because he lived alone. When I first went in that intensive care room, I had to walk out and thought I was going to be sick. It was too much to absorb at one time seeing my independent Dad so dependent on machines and not being able to communicate, or get up and give you a hug or tell one of his jokes. I could see the frustration and fear in his loving blue eyes. My kids have a very special bond with their PaPa which can never be broken. April stayed by his side in ICU almost the entire time. I am the only child and with my parents divorced, it was left up to me as to what to do for my Dad. I recieved support from family members which helped. But it was still hard. How do you decide when to sign a paper to take a precious family member off of life support knowing they will not make it through the night. After about 3 days on life support, the doctor warned me that his body was failing. He could not have dialysis while in his state so this was turing his body fluids into poison. I would stand by my Dad's bedside and hold his hand and talk to him trying to understand what he was wanting me to do from the expressions in his eyes. I knew his body was tired, but his mind was still so sharp. He was smarter than me in so many ways. But finally when I realized he would not ever recover and I knew he did not want to be like he was, I finally signed the paper. I remember what the cold hearted nurse said to me, "You know if they remove life support, he will die!" Yes, I knew this, but did she know that my Dad did not want to be left in this state and he was ready to go to his heavenly home. So we all surrounded his bed as life support was removed. I was on his right side by his head and as his blood pressure slowly dropped, I talked to him the entire time telling him it would be okay and not to be afraid. He looked at me the entire time which was not even a hour. As he was fading, he had the most peaceful look on his face and smiled and then he was gone forever. I thought someone had ripped my heart out. I didn't want him to stay like he was, but I did not want to give him up either. I wanted to go back to the following week when he was fine and I was talking to him on the phone. I remember driving to Chattanooga by myself when he was first placed in ICU and hearing him call for me. He was saying hurry. And all I could do was answer, "I am coming Daddy." The next few days were a blur of memories trying to get everything ready, picking out the music he loved for his service, meeting and greeting so many people who knew my Dad. And if you ever sat next to my Dad and did not know him, you would surely know everything about him and he would know everything about you before you parted to leave. He never met a stranger. I am so glad I am like my Dad in that way. I wish I could be more like him as he loved everyone, never talked about anyone, lived a simple life and enjoyed every day to the fullest. He was so much like Jesus in his later years. I love him so much and can only rest assure as my heart breaks that I will see him again one day. And what will be the first thing my Dad says to me, "This is me, is that you?!!" Love you Daddy!!!

Where do I start?!!!

2008-09-30T17:24:00.014-05:00

I have become interested in the world of "blogs" after keeping up with a few people from this area who have a blog. I find it to be more of an expression of who I am then any other resource and a place I can show off my family and what means the most to me. This is just a start and I will try to fill in the blanks over the next few weeks. I feel once I get started, there is no stopping me. Stay tune....