Monday, November 5, 2007

Photos from the Archives

These are the faces that forgot their grief for the moment when observing the big upside down rainbow. I wish I had seen it, but I am glad to have seen those who are seeing it!


And some photos of photos I took long long ago ----



This is my brother, Edwin "Boo", Uncle Mike's nephew --- taken at San Francisco Bay when we visited Uncle Mike and his family in the summer of 1989. What at trip -- and, as always, Uncle Mike was a highlight.


Uncle Mike and Dad -- taken the weekend of Cousin Missy's wedding at Notre Dame.


Aunt Taine and Uncle Joe taken at Notre Dame.






Saturday, October 27, 2007

Not Forgotten --

Here are a few photos taken during the Memorial Reunion -- where is the time going -- soon it will be a year.

We tied one on for Uncle Mike as well as for Uncle Pete, Aunt Marion and a host of unforgotten others who have passed. Grandfather Tree is our huge shaggy bark juniper and host to hundreds of little colorful ribbons which sway in the Arizona breezes in sweet remembrance. Nicole fearlessly climbed to great heights!


When she comes down, Nicole is kissed enthusiastically even though it would appear that she is being attacked by Collie-Poo Jack!
Two beautiful people in the dark -- Tony and Connie --


Tony and the Antique Juniper trunk.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Tony and Norma Submit Reunion Photos


Please visit The Tony Rems Shutterfly site to see photos of the Sedona Family Reunion that took place in April 2007 at The Clearing House at Wild Horse Mesa. Mike was here in spirit for sure, as were Pete and Marion --- and all agreed that Jack the collie-poodle might be J.P. Rems incarnate with certain unique JP behaviors (especially puffed cheeks when concentrating on something of interest). With all due respect to Dad, we loved and admired him so!!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Maybe all of life's promises don't come true, but mornings still come and hopes, like sparrows, still sing in the trees. ~Flavia

Spring

Spring, and the land lies fresh green beneath a yellow sun.
We walked the land together, you and I
And never knew what future days would bring.
Will you often think of me
When flowers burst forth each year?
When the earth begins to grow again?
Some say death is so final
But my love for you can never die.
Just as the sun once warmed our hearts
let this love touch you some night
When I am gone and loneliness comes~
Before the dawn begins to scatter your dreams away.
~
Summer and I never knew a bird
Could sing so sweet and clear
Until they told me I must leave you for awhile
I never knew the sky could be so deep a blue
Until I knew I could not grow old with you
But better to be loved by you
Than to have lived a million summers
And never known your love.
Together, let us, you and I
Remember the days and nights for eternity.
~
Fall, and as the earth begins to die
And the leaves turn golden-brown upon the trees
Remember me, too, in Autumn, for I will walk with you
As of old, along a city sidewalk at evening-time
Though I cannot hold you by the hand.
~
Winter, and perhaps someday there may be
Another fireplace another room
With crackling fire and fragrant smoke
And turning, suddenly, we will be together
And I will hear your laughter
And hold you close to me again
But until then, if loneliness should see you out
Some winter night, when snow is falling down
Remember, though death has come to me
My love will never go away.
~
~Orville Kelly

Saturday, January 20, 2007

In the garden of Johnny’s home was a tree in whose branches birds had built a nest. He was thrilled when one day, climbing up, he found four eggs in it. Almost daily now, he visited the nest. Then the family went away for the school holidays. The first thing Johnny did on their return was to climb the tree to look at his nest. He was most upset to find that all that was left of the eggs were empty, broken shells. Sobbing, he ran to his father telling him how the eggs were ruined. “No, my son” his father told him “you are mistaken. The best parts were inside, and they have become beautiful birds which have flown away.”

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Santa Fe Reunion Photos: 2003



We had a blast in Santa Fe together --- Here are some photos to prove it ---
It goes to remind me how important it is to Seize the Day! Santa Fe made it possible to be together; little did we know it would be for the last time.
: (
(I always tried to sneak in beside him in the pictures for as long as I can remember)


Thank you Norma for submitting these photos! How he enjoyed life -- and how he seemed to keep all of us on track for living in the moment; it was impossible to resist!

Daddy's Legacy of Love

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy…
you met my beautiful mom in spain
it was a true love story
you married in naples, italy
then had your first baby, me
I miss you Daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you learned that i was born deaf
it did not matter to you
you promised I would succeed
you were always there for me
I miss you Daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you threw me up in the air
with your strong arms
and tickled me silly
loving my belly laughs
I miss you Daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you embraced your baby son, tony
you loved him dearly
played with us both
as the tickle monster
I miss you Daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you always stood tall
looking so handsome
in your coast guard uniform
filling me with pride
I miss you Daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you gave me bear hugs
with great "HMMMMMs"
you said you love me more
than the whole, wide world
I miss you Daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you read books to me
taught me wonderful words
played pun games with me
i learned to love english
I miss you Daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you came to all the games
to watch me cheerleading
you drove the car parading me
as the homecoming queen
I miss you Daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you helped me with my homework
and talked to me about college
you always believed in me
you knew I could do anything
I miss you Daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you brought me to csun
visited my at the dorms
interacted with my friends
and took us out to restaurants
I miss you Daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you saw i was lost
you knew i needed the deaf world
you joined me by learning sign language
and embracing the Deaf community
I miss you Daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
your dream came true
your children graduated from college
you showed how proud you were
by throwing a huge dinner party
I miss you, daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you welcomed my son, Jacob, with open arms
created a nursery for your first grandson
spent your time and love with him
my son loves you so much
I miss you daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
your life became enriched
with four more grand children
Joshua, Nicole, Jessica, and Nathan
you had abundance of love
I miss you daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you always watched your grandchildren
they thrived in your presence
during soccer, baseball, karate and more
you beamed with pride for them
I miss you daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you enjoyed jazz, wine, and food
life was a celebration to you
especially during birthdays and christmas
you were the life of the party
I miss you daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you were so excited about retiring
there were so many places you wanted to see
you had a surprise retirement party
a testimony of love and admiration for you
I miss you daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
You just visited Spain with mom
you went back to the town, vivero
the place of your love in first sight
completing your circle of love
I miss you daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you adored your sister, taine
and her husband, joe
you were so excited
about visiting them in texas
I miss you daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you made your last cup of coffee for me
we had our last wonderful chat
I drove mom and you to airport
oblivious that it was the final goodbye
I miss you, daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you were standing at the airport
with your wonderful smile
I got out of the car
and you gave me a "HMMM" hug
I miss you daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you were going to a basketball game
to see bobby knight in action
on lovely texas tech campus
you fell into uncle joe's arms and died
I miss you daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
i chauffeured you towards heaven
texas tech stadium was the gateway
uncle joe was your earthly angel
carrying you to your heavenly family
I miss you daddy

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
you lived your life the amazing way
you died happily, without pain
you went home feeling loved
you also left behind your legacy of love
I miss you daddy

Daddy Daddy, Daddy
thank you for your tickles
thank you for the "HMMM" hugs
thank you for your smiles
thank you for your love
I will always miss you daddy.

I LOVE YOU, Daddy

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Finding Comfort in Each Other

Formalities coming to a close -- Time to forge ahead into the next chapter in our lives without Him.
No longer able to numb ourselves with the alibi of details. Whatever will we do?


SORROW:

It hurts deep down inside.

One feels diminished,

Less that he has been.

Empty,

Bereft.

Forlorn and incomplete.

Sorrow is a painful word

But if someone is there

To share the feeling

It becomes endurable

And in the scheme of things

A time of being

That includes great emotion

And thus a time of closeness,

Growing and becoming someone more

Than we have been before.

The Morning of January 13


Alive, awake

We anguish for the dead.

We wail and weep,

But it is for ourselves that tears

And tearing at the heart

Is done.



We do not grieve

Because the earth

Reclaims its own.

We weep because


We are suddenly deprived

Of good companions

Sound judgment and

Familiar counsel.

~~~



I read something once that said

The only reason we celebrate the birth of someone and weep at the death of someone is that we are not the one going through it. Whatever is in store for us must (has to be!) a beautiful thing. God Bless Uncle Mike as he finds his way.