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Condolences to Commander for the passing of his father from your Gulch friends!

Posted by Dobrien 2 years, 1 month ago to Philosophy
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Speaking with Mike, he said the his father was ready to go and the whole family had no regrets or unfinished business emotional and otherwise.
I say BRAVO, We should all aspire to leave this life in the same fashion.
Peace to you my brother!:)


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    Posted by mccannon01 2 years, 1 month ago
    Condolences to you and your family, Commander. May you find peace in your time of sorrow.
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    • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
      Not much sorrow, though thank you much. Time to put the fun in funeral and celebrate all the healthy wealthy experiences we've had and created.
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      • Posted by $ allosaur 2 years, 1 month ago
        I can relate, Commander.
        When my mother died, she had advanced Alzheimer's when another stroke blessed her with an end to it all. When I got up close to her in an open coffin, I kind of lost it, though.
        My father's senility became very intense as he neared 100 years of age. He had to be shown a group family photo so he could recognize any of his five sons and other close relatives. He died of lung cancer in a hospice one day short of his 99th birthday.
        No, he never smoked.
        A feeling of relief came with the passing of both my parents.
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        • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
          So....this is how hospice began.
          Dad's been pretty uncomfortable for the past 8 months. Physical pain and the isolation due to hearing loss.
          Two months ago he decides, quite coherently, this is it, I'm done, and proceeded to the medicine cabinet. There is the bottle of Prednisone. He takes all three pills that are left and consumes. Nothing except feeling a bit less pain ensues. Yet, he's of a mind that it's all over and gets frustrated to the point my mom calls me over. He's so cute in this ignorance. My sister is due to arrive the next day as things were.

          We have a very cogent discussion and honor dad's wish to expire. Hospice begins, quite surprisingly to the intake nurses, that they are dealing with an alert human being. We honor the life by not extending the pain or sufferance, and the temerity of my dad to reason ably face his end. No unfinished business, no regrets, no wailing or gnashing of teeth.

          Only one decision left. Are his ashes interred in the garden or not?
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          • Posted by $ allosaur 2 years, 1 month ago
            Hope I have such a clear mind when my end comes. We're all gonna die anyways.
            I've survived several close calls that could have taken me out.
            About some things, my memory is not as sharp as it used to be. Where did I put that cane? Here we go again! Damn cane!
            I'm close for behind Biden's age but not anywhere as far gone.
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            • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
              I'm hoping I have enough memory, or a little help reminding me where I put the video, for my funeral rocket.
              If I do this right, I'll need to be identified by DNA only.
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              • Posted by $ allosaur 2 years, 1 month ago
                Me dino used to have a working percussion Civil War Navy Colt that took forever to load (or why officers also had sabers) and I fired a few times. Now that the hammer is jammed, it's a living room display.
                Point I'm getting to is back during the Nineties I actually had gunpowder mailed to me. Now I see all I have to do is go for a drive in my area to construct my own Holy Hand Grenade Of Antioch to give myself a big sendoff.
                https://www.bing.com/maps?&ty=17&q=bu...
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                • Posted by $ allosaur 2 years, 1 month ago
                  Before PCs, I researched Civil War guns I found to be quite aesthetic in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. I was shocked to learn full metal jacket bullets were not loaded into revolvers of that period. I did see photo examples of conversion to cartridges of cap and ball revolvers that appeared AFTER the Civil War. Removed were the hinged loading devices that packed powder and then a lead ball into each chamber before a percussion cap was put on the other end.
                  I mentioned that to a college creative writing teacher a few years later after I got out of the Marines. He told me people would not care,
                  Well, I care. I try not when to write Schiff unless its obvious I'm just fooling around~~such as blowing myself up with my own constructed Holy Hand Grenade Of Antioch.
                  Oh, then one fine day I also learned that dynamite used to blow up a bridge during a battle in that movie had not even been invented yet.
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                  • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
                    I have a friend outside Indianapolis who could repair the revolver. He just finished a new hammer for his matchlock. Beautiful workmanship. He's a stickler for originality.
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                    • Posted by $ allosaur 2 years, 1 month ago
                      First of all, the revolver I bought was made in Spain and was $100 cheap even during the Nineties. Recall a saying~~"You get what you pay for."
                      No reflection on your friend, but secondly I paid can't remember how much to have the hammer fixed at a gun store. That hammer seized back up again after very little time passed.
                      Decided not to throw good money after bad and made a display out of it since it came with a stand.
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                • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
                  As late as 2010, my cousin would have 100 and 200 pound lots of powder shipped to his house. Had a 2" smoothe bore, Napoleon, 10#, 20# and 30# Parot fieldpieces. The last 4 confirmed Gettysburg history.
                  Cousin has been on the reenactment field with mccannon for a couple of "campaigns". They've never met as far as I know.
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 2 years, 1 month ago
    Commander, may you be consoled that your father left behind such a fine legacy!
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    • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
      Thank you. The legacy is pedagogy. A self directed enthusiastic pursuit of knowledge and a temerity to go where contradiction may seem to exist.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaw_8...
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      • Posted by $ katrinam41 2 years, 1 month ago
        What a great legacy! Commander, having lost my dad a few years ago, I still have that special place tucked away for all the love and memories, but I try to live as he did--with courage and curiosity, respect for those who have earned it and no regrets. Your father will always be a part of you, and you are his living legacy. Peace and joy to you and your family as you celebrate his life.
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        • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
          The only possible regrets come from those outside now. And I offer this, of all places, from the band Disturbed.
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SCCq...
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          • Posted by 2 years, 1 month ago
            The beautiful lyrics here...

            Listen, everyone
            The time will come when all of us say goodbye
            Feel that aching in your heart
            Leaving you broken inside
            But we're never really gone
            As long as there's a memory in your mind

            So now go do the best things in life
            Take a bite of this world while you can
            Make the most of the rest of your life
            Make a ride of this world while you can

            Take the ones you love
            And hold them close because there is little time
            And don't let it break your heart
            I know it feels hopeless sometimes
            But they're never really gone
            As long as there's a memory in your mind

            So now go do the best things in life
            Take a bite of this world while you can
            Make the most of the rest of your life
            Make a ride of this world while you can
            And hold on to memories

            Hold on to every moment
            To keep them alive
            The world's greatest tragedy
            Souls who are not remembered
            Cannot survive

            So now go do the best things in life
            Bring the fight to this world while you can
            Make the most of the rest of your life
            Shine your light on this world while you can
            And hold on to memories

            Hold on to every moment
            To keep them alive
            The world's greatest tragedy
            Souls who are not remembered
            Cannot survive
            And hold on to memories

            Hold on to every moment
            To keep them alive
            The world's greatest tragedy
            Souls who are not remembered
            Cannot survive (cannot survive)
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  • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
    Today I took custody of my dad's Eagle Scout accoutrements, along with a few other "memorials".
    In May shall be the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts in the LaCrosse WI, Gateway Area Council. I plan to attend as a few of his graduating class still survive. Most intriguing, the announcement card had a very familiar face upon the front page. Sam. I have a picture in my archive of my first day of school with this man, boarding the bus he was driving. 50.....2 years or so ago.

    Degrees of separation are only what we make of them. All the world is one.
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  • Posted by $ 25n56il4 2 years, 1 month ago
    Dan, I agree but in my case I want to be on my stomach in that casket with the lid open and you can guess why! N
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    • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
      Lots of fun and funny stories to tell. Put the fun in funeral!

      In 1983 dad asked if I was going back to college in the fall. "No". So....you have 90 days to get a job, get a place and get out. I did so in about 30 days.

      Moved out clear about 2PM and returned next morning around 10. Mom had already converted "my" bedroom into a sewing room.

      Yesterday she "let" me sleep in without calling after she discovered dad's death...4ish. I made way over around 8:30 and entered the house.

      My first words: So, are you going to convert dad's room so he can't come back tomorrow?

      We had a great laugh!

      Life is remembrance and reverence of precious moments!

      Cheers!
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  • Posted by $ Abaco 2 years, 1 month ago
    So glad it's a good transition. Yesterday was my dad's b'day. Lost him almost two years ago to the VID.
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    • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
      I've lived one of the most healthy lives a person may. My dad broke the box of conformity....I followed.
      One of the best themes of our relationship: I love you dearly....and I like you more!
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      • Posted by $ Abaco 2 years, 1 month ago
        That's great. I took one direction with my health and my father took a different tact. His way killed him, really. So be it. I'm now struggling with damage to my body from football. It's a real thing. 55 now and am concerned. May be getting more titanium and/or stainless in the near future....not if I can hold out longer. My folks only know football and track so that's what I did. Boy, do I wish they were golfers! haha....

        Stay out of trouble out there Commander...
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        • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
          You're not alone in the repairables situation.
          5 years ago a sledding "incident" (mega jump with a bad landing) from 197....5 took it's toll. L5-S1 discectomy.
          My right leg disappeared one day while carrying a 100# chunk of steel across the shop floor. Had a left inguinal hernia from a year before. Time for the repair shop.

          When a Marine says: Pain is my friend.... I get it. As long as I can live independent I'm good. No nursing or hospice for this kid. I'm planning a privately built rocket exit/burial from my back yard when it is time to go. Gonna need some youngsters to help set up the live feed cameras. Wheeeeee! BOOM!
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  • Posted by $ Olduglycarl 2 years, 1 month ago
    Sorry to hear that Commander.
    Perfect picts Brother Dan...nearly brought a tear to my eyes thinking of my own Dad.
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    • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
      Thanks Carl. Just returned from writing the obit with my mom and sister.
      One of the items I thought to include: It's never a bad thing to be late to your funeral.
      My sister just looked at me blinkin like a toad in a hailstorm.....so that will not be published. LOL!
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  • Posted by Tavolino 2 years, 1 month ago
    Condolences to you and family. One is never prepared but remembering "the moments," the good times, and all that was instilled, will hopefully bring you some peace. Time will be your friend and just take one day at a time.
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    • Posted by $ Commander 2 years, 1 month ago
      The beauty of our family relationships: No unfinished business. Nothing left unsaid or undone of real mortal, caring acts.
      How liberating. No regrets, only happiness left.
      thanks much
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