July 2013

July 2013
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Archive for July 2013

Some Thoughts from 30,000 Feet

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Renee Spindle

This post was penned a few weeks ago, while I was on the plane with Travel Man going back to Illinois to see our family. I wanted to share it with all of you because we were having so much fun together, and I always love sharing tales of my Travel Guy’s crazy work lifestyle.

June 20, 2013: This weekend Travel Man and I are actually taking a little vacation trip together. Yay!! I’m writing this post from 30,000 feet somewhere between Denver and Milwaukee. It is so nice to see Travel Man relaxed, laughing, and smiling.

He has had a harried three weeks. He’s been through or in the airports in these cities:

Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Sacramento
Oklahoma City
Omaha
Denver
Philadelphia
Chicago Midway
Toronto

So needless to say he’s been making the “rounds” so to speak. He’s been in a lot of airports, and had lots of rides in “tubes”. That’s my new catch phrase for his airplane travel, or should I say where his office is located!!

He’s been getting a little burnt out on the airport/airplane routine. He’ll ask me, “What day is it?, or Where was I last week?”. Thank goodness for our electronic calendars. That’s how we keep track of all of his travels.

Getting to take a trip just for family and fun is just plain good medicine for his soul right now. Plus we get to be together for a few days too!! Bonus!

Travel Man wanted me to write about our travel experiences on Southwest Airlines. I’m saving that post for another day. Today is about how great it is to be able to spend time with my husband. Every trip we take no, matter how big or small becomes an adventure with him. He’s a professional people watcher, because he’s in airports and amongst the crowds so much. He loves to try to guess where people are going, or which person belongs with who, or what their life story is. It can really be entertaining.

This weekend we are heading to Illinois to celebrate my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. We are looking forward to some big hugs, lots of gabbing, and then some more hugs. My parents are there, and my brother and sister are joining us too. I think it’s the first time we’ve all been in Illinois together since 1986.

This weekend I am determined to get the story of how my grandparents met committed to paper or some sort of electronic device. A story that I want to have for posterity’s sake, and for all the grandkids to hear.

More on our weekend travels soon. Memories will be made, pictures will be posted, and then the long, goodbye hugs will be upon us.

Postscript: As you can probably tell I wrote this post prior to my Dad’s unexpected passing. See my post from July 4, 2013. Little did any of us know that fate brought us all together with my grandparents one last time.

No comments Posted in Travel Man, Travels

Today is July 4, 2013

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Renee Spindle

A very happy Independence Day to all of my blogging friends and neighbors. If you have been following my blog for any length of time you have read about my Dad and his battle with cancer.

Last Friday evening, we lost a great Patriot. My Dad passed away peacefully with my Mom by his side. My Mom had told us that next to my Dad’s love for his family, was his love for his country, and everything our freedoms stand for.

I distinctly remember when I was a little girl that I idolized my Dad. He has always been my hero, now and forever more. The pedestal I put him upon was so incredibly high, because I respected him so very much. He was always helpful, ever so caring, and hopelessly in love with my Mom. They were the sweetest couple ever.

My Dad was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, father-in-law, and son-in-law. He never gave up on his battle with cancer, and in the end it was a complication with his liver that he did not have the strength to battle back from. Words alone cannot properly express how extremely hard my Dad battled to keep going for the past two years. It was an unbelievable journey for him. Most of us would not have had the willpower or the perseverance to push forward to keep on living like he did.

In the end, my Dad was surrounded by my Mom, brother, sister, and my husband. We were all able to say our heartfelt goodbye’s to him, including all of the grandchildren. I will never forget the feeling walking out of the hospital, with my heart aching, holding my sister’s hand. You are forever in our hearts Dad.

5 comments Posted in Family

Today is July 3, 2013

Posted on July 3, 2013 by reneespindle

Today my youngest son, the “baby” of the family is turning 22. I wanted to share the post that I wrote last year for his 21st birthday. Happy Birthday Zach! Wow! How did this happen? It seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital getting induced, and 28 hours later Zachary Gene came into the world. And he came into the world with a vengeance. 10 lbs, 10 oz, and 22″ long. He set a record at the hospital for a while. A beautiful bouncing baby boy. Jet black hair, a broken collar-bone, and blue, blue eyes.

Zach and I went home from the hospital on the 4th of July. I had gone into hospital on the 2nd, and was determined not to be in the hospital for the holiday. I wanted to see the family, and introduce Zach to his brother and sisters. We’re now a family with four kids, and Zach’s name started with Z for a reason. He was the last one.

Zach was the mellowest baby of all of my kids. A very laid back California guy. I remember before he went to kindergarten I had let the back of his hair grow almost to his shoulders. He really looked like a little surfer dude then.

My sons’ had some life experiences that you wouldn’t wish on anyone. Diabetes at age 6, leukemia at age 9, philosopher of life at age 10. Zach’s perspective on life after SURVIVING his battle with leukemia is something that sets him apart from his siblings. He’s thought about dying, he’s had to learn to accept his diabetes, but he’s a survivor. A survivor that has a unique perspective on life.

Zach’s very creative; artist, photographer, singer, actor. He pursued all of these activities in high school. It took a little while for him to find himself, but he did. Two of my favorite moments when Zach was a senior in high school were; watching him perform the role of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. Outstanding performances, unforgettable. The second moment was when he sang Tim McGraw’s song, “Live Like you Were Dying” at a choir performance. There was a moment when he looked directly at me. A moment in time that I can recall in the blink of an eye.

We’ll be celebrating Zach’s birthday with family tomorrow on the 4th. We’ve done that a lot on his birthday. For quite a few years he thought his birthday was on the 4th, the fireworks were for him.

For this Mom, I’m celebrating the fact that my sons’ health is in good order. I’m usually reflecting on that fact around his birthday time. It soothes my soul to know he’s ok. Happy Birthday to my son, I just can’t believe your 21.

Update: This post has been linked to the Grand Social linky. Check it out!