...Tidings of Great Joy

So I haven't updated here in a LONG time.. Facebook has sorta antiquated this blog. But happy news must always replace sad news. We welcomed Christian Samuel to our family on February 27th of this year and it's been a whirl ever since.

Merry Christmas!

George Herman Reid, Sr. 1921-2008

Grandpa George Reid passed away Sunday, November 23rd in Farmington, New Mexico. He was battling a bad case of pneumonia and other related complications.

In his 87 years, he weathered many things that would have felled lesser men: farming in NE Colorado, veteran of the 3rd Marines in the South Pacific, specifically the Bougainville/Solomon Islands campaign, a return to farming in NE and SW Colorado, raising a girl and four extraordinarily ornery boys, and later in life serious burns over a good part of him as a result of a natural gas explosion while on the job. I'm positive that I'm forgetting something.

A more detailed obituary (that completely glosses over the four wicked boys part) can be found here with a nice, color photo of Grandpa in happier times, namely fishing at Lake Navajo (likely).

While attending the funeral and visiting with cousins that made it, it became quite apparent that I knew him far less than the others, and by extension, was the least close to him of the group. I only got to see him once a year usually, as a kid living in Alaska, and then during college I usually saw him twice a year as I passed between Texas and home in Nevada.

In the times I did spend with him, it was clear he enjoyed the time spent with me. Sometimes it was tending to his garden, particularly the grape vines he was justly proud of. More often it was usually fishing, a Pearl Lite or a Coors (if he felt like spending a little more) in one hand or set on the floor, his fishing rod, and a slowly trolling motor steered with his other. He could be short fused, but never directly with me. But he kept things simple and delighted in the uncomplicated pleasure of fishing, fresh air, a beer buzz, and quiet nights away from town.

He made it to Alaska at least a couple of times, probably cursing the travel time involved, but enjoying the fishing and the outdoors. We were lucky enough to meet him on the island of Maui when I was a kid. I think he had a good time, from what I remember, but I just wonder what the trip meant to him given the South Pacific tour in WWII that he very rarely talked about.

When I get to know people, I make an effort of understanding where they're coming from and how their experience shapes their pleasant or not-so-pleasant characteristics. I'm usually successful, but with Grandpa, I was never successful and I attribute that to the unimaginable trauma of his WWII experience such that he wouldn't speak of it. As a kid I couldn't fathom that and I still don't think I could. But I always got the sense something else was on his mind. He was always a little distracted.

And in this day and age of medication, counseling, and post traumatic stress disorder, who knows what terrible memory or burden he lived with like a millstone around his neck. I certainly don't judge him for keeping all of that to himself. But it always seemed to keep him just beyond arm's length of personal connection. He learned to live with it the best way he knew how, and in the end it was a long life lived on his terms.

Grandpa, while you were a bit of an enigma, you were strong, a generous fishing buddy and you could have a wicked sense of humor. You will certainly be missed by me and everyone who knew you - well, except of course the trout at Groundhog. May you rest in peace with Grandma and the other WWII heroes that share your final resting place.

Disneyland!

He had a great time, though I think the Casey Jr. Circus Train won out as the favorite... even more than the Finding Nemo Submarine Ride or the Winnie the Pooh Ride. If I get these new, larger photos from our new camera figured out, I'll get more loaded onto our family photos page.

Judy Goes to Washington

Judy Korynasz, Nana to one individual, flew to Washington D.C. at the invitation of Oregon's junior Senator, Gordon Smith (R). He's the ranking member on the Senate Special Subcommittee on Aging.

On May 22nd, Judy provided testimony about the difficulties of Medicare for modest-income seniors, including her mother Charlotte (Great Gramma), as well as difficulties that she and John (Papa) have.

Here's a link to the Senate website with information about the hearing.
Here's the link to her written testimony (.pdf).

As soon as the hearing itself is posted in video format, I'll post it here!

Happy Birthday Tom

Uncle Tom is 33 today!

I called to wish him a happy birthday and he mentioned all was well and that they will likely be going to dinner tonight to celebrate. Sounds like a plan.

Below is a photo of (from right to left starting with Tom): Tom, Kate, Hayes, Jill and Gabriel from our trip a few weeks ago to Sacramento to visit.



And, of course, the following photo is too good not to post from that same trip:



Happy Birthday!

Happy Belated Birthday (Post) Jill!

Jill celebrated her birthday a couple of weeks ago and I've been rather remiss by not posting anything. Truth be told, it's been kinda difficult to grab the digital camera memory chip during all the holiday festivities this month. Excuses, excuses.

I hope you had a happy birthday, Jill. It was sort of a two-day celebration with the company dinner at Andina on your birthday and then a family get together the next night. But I know you had a good time and managed a nice pair of new earrings as well! Gabriel clearly had a blast, too.


Happy Birthday, Sweetie! I love you!

Happy 10th Anniversary!

Today is Jill's and my 10th anniversary. We're going to celebrate by going to Andina, an apparently great restaurant in Portland (one of the many) that we haven't yet gone to. We look forward to it.

Happy anniversary, sweety! It's been a remarkable 10 years, we have an amazing little boy together, a wonderful home, and many more years to look forward to!

I love you,

Bill

Happy Birthday Gramma!

Today is Gabriel's Gramma's birthday. She's celebrating in Colorado with Grandpa, so she's not in Oregon to share a happy birthday carrot cake with Gabriel.

We hope you're having a great day!

(Grandma) Betty Jean Reid

Grandma Reid passed away early Monday morning in Farmington, New Mexico, where she lived for as long as I can remember. Her health took its course as it does with folks who live to be over 85 years old. She had been receiving care in and out of her own home as her health declined.



We last saw her in person a couple of years ago when we were able to take Gabriel and enjoy a visit in her own home. Before that, and before I came to Oregon, I usually tried to drive through Farmington when I headed home from college in Texas, usually right before Christmas time. Slick roads, cold air, and herds of sheep between Cuba and Farmington made their home on La Plata drive a welcome destination. Grandma (and Grandpa) were always happy to see me, even as I greeted them with the same corny joke about whether or not they knew a certain blue spruce was growing in their front yard. Pizza (Little Caesar's - "Here's $20.. don't forget the green chile!"), sometimes cards, and always a lot of conversation were guaranteed from her shortly after my arrival.

She will be missed. I have posted the entirety of her obituary below, courtesy of the Farmington Daily Times newspaper website.

Betty Jean Reid
Staff Writer
Article Launched: 09/18/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT

FARMINGTON

Betty Jean Reid

April 26, 1922 - Sept. 17, 2007

Betty Jean Reid, 85, of Farmington, passed away peacefully early Monday morning, Sept. 17, 2007. She was born Betty Jean Tunison on April 26, 1922, in Sterling, Colo., to Edgar D. and Julia M. Tunison.

Betty was the oldest of three children raised on their family's homestead between Sterling and Akron, Colo. She graduated from high school in Atwood, Colo. She met her future husband, George H. Reid Sr., on a train from Denver, Colo., to Sterling, Colo., in 1945, as he was returning from his deployment in the South Pacific at the end of WWII. Betty spent her time caring for her family and friends, quilting, camping and fishing.

Betty was preceded in death by both of her parents and her brother, Edgar Dennis Tunison of Palm Springs, Calif.

She is survived by her husband, George H. Reid Sr., of Farmington; her sister, Kathleen Michael of Palm Harbor, Fla.; son, James Reid and his wife, Yvonne, of Fort Morgan, Colo.; son, Steve Reid and wife, Ellen, of Casper, Wyo.; son, David Reid and his wife, Dianne, of Hillsboro, Ore.; daughter, Betty Rice of Farmers Branch, Texas; son, George Reid Jr. of Farmington; 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Betty will be 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, at Memory Gardens of Farmington, with Father Tim Farrell.

Betty is in the care of Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home; (505) 325-8688.

May you finally enjoy rest and peace.

Welcome to 35-44

This past birthday was a rite of passage: I'm now part of the significantly less-important 35-44 age demographic. Far fewer television shows, movies, music, etc. will be (fruitlessly) geared towards me because I'm almost certainly socking away more money for retirement and children than the spendthrift 25-34 cohort.

The problem is that advertisers also care WAY too much about what Gabriel thinks... one seriously understands why cereal, candy, toys, etc. are placed the way they are in stores and when/what type of print and broadcast ads are running. Ugh.

And I can already say new "music" is definitely getting way too loud, too and I don't even begin to understand it. I'll only start worrying when I stop chuckling at the guy throwing the football through the tire swing in that TV ad.

P.S. The recent, new Mattel toy recall does not affect anything Gabriel plays with at grandparents' houses to the best of my knowledge. It's really an older-child toy recall.

Happy Birthday To Us!

Blowing Out Candles, originally uploaded by korynasz.

Gabriel turned 3 and I turned 35 yesterday, capping a three-day birthday celebration for the both of us. Here we are blowing out the birthday candles on our family party birthday cake.

Gabriel is growing up to be a sweet, curious, determined, and very funny little boy and I couldn't be any happier or more proud. Happy birthday, little man.

Gabriel had a Saturday morning party at a local park for his friends Ian, Nolan, Vanessa, Zane, and Bryce. Sunday, we had a great family birthday party (I cooked my famous Hawaiian ribs and smoked salmon - eat your heart out, Tom). We were joined by Gramma, Grampa (photo?), Me-ma, Nana, Papa, and Aunty Sandy Nemeth who drove down from Mill Creek north of Seattle.

Thank you, everybody, for coming and for your generous birthday gifts. We hope you had good food and a good time. We sure did!

I have also updated our flickr.com photo page with MANY, many photos that have been taken since the last update. That includes our trip to Canada, our birthday parties, final play dates with Davon & Kaya, Toni & Teryn's visit, chickens, Thomas the Tank Engine in Hood River, Tom, Kate & Hayes' visit, and various other fun.

Happy Birthday Cake with Candles

Gabriel got his award last night - a big slice of carrot cake with birthday candles - for accomplishing something rather important and he was very proud of himself.

If you recognize what this is a reward for, then you know what he did. Enough said.

Congratulations, Gabriel! A big boy indeed.

Another Kiss for Baby Hayes

Another Kiss for Baby Hayes, originally uploaded by korynasz.

It can't be said Gabriel didn't love on Baby Hayes. There's a fresh bunch of new photos, including more from the Sacramento trip, at our flickr.com site.

Hayes Tyler Reid

The world welcomed Hayes Tyler Reid at 8:10pm, April 18, 2007 in Folsom, California.

Congratulations Kate & Tom!

We look forward to heading down to Sacramento ASAP, but Gabriel's nose started running last night. We'll have to monitor him - we don't want to drag a sick little boy down to expose the baby and recovering mommy.

The official first announcement at Kate's website It's A Reid!, posted by her friend Madeline, can be read here.

We Might Now Be Aunt Jill & Uncle Bill

But I don't yet have any proof.

Norma Goodman Passes

Being an Alaskan got a bit less distinctive last week. Here's a link to remarkable obituary for her remarkable life.

Boise

I don't think I've posted about it before, but since July of 2005 I've served as Consulting Economist to Ada County, Idaho (Boise metro area). I'm in town today on assignment as a matter of fact. And every time I come, I get a new assignment. Consulting gold, basically.

Anyway, I've been asked to begin assisting the Ada County Paramedics service provider figure out exactly how much new developments need to pay for new paramedic facilities and services, and I kicked off a new assignment today in helping the Kuna Library District figure out what types of facilities and service needs several new developments will require of them.

Crazy stuff, but it's a lot of fun. Hopefully, I'll remember to post more about all of this in the near future.

By the way, there have been a number of comments to posts lately - thank you for the input.

Dear Dr. Pritchard

I feel awkwardly bad that this letter is written too late for you to read it. But I thought it a good idea to express how maybe, just maybe, hanging on for another week might have been helpful to you. Or maybe not; small gestures are usually just that.

You see, tomorrow at my follow-up appointment with you to look at my left knee I was planning some good natured banter about the fact that I learned you are a fellow Baylor alum. And not only that, we attended Baylor at roughly the same time. You were a freshman when I was a senior (should I feel old?!). When you said at my first appointment you attended UT medical school at Galveston, and by the look of you, I strongly suspected Baylor. And looking at the Baylor alum directory online, I confirmed you were indeed a fellow Bear.

But tomorrow's appointment - and any other appointment with you - has been made impossible. I was shocked to learn of your very unexpected death this morning when I called Providence Tanasbourne in response to their vague voicemail message for a need to reschedule. The receptionist let me know they learned of your death yesterday morning, with no cause given. "Reeling" was her word, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't rather taken aback myself.

I think the only thing that shocked me more was the confirmation this afternoon via the Astoria, Oregon newspaper that "suicide was likely" after the identity of your body, which washed ashore at Cannon Beach Monday, had been established.

Were you lonely? You admitted much family in Texas; were you feeling alienated so far from your family and most of what you have known in your life? Did Oregon's winter get to you? Were you hiding something inside? I have to admit that I got a little bit of that sense that you might be. And in the context of where you are from and where you went to school, I could see how much the stresses and strains of that would possibly be unbearable.

Would a friendly hello from a fellow Baylor alum have helped significantly? Probably not. Would it have been enough to get you through a dark day you might have been struggling with right at that time? Maybe. Mutual acquaintances, experiences and divergent paths post-graduation would have been fun, memorable chat. But unfortunately, you and I will never know.

I hope your family takes the news with great courage and faith. And if indeed a hidden secret is what drove you to the desperate act of ending your own life, it only underscores the fact that our Texas Baptist alma mater and other Christians of similar mindset should finally understand that the neighbor Jesus commanded us to love and not judge, the very one He died for, may have that very same type of secret.

Whatever the cause or desperation, your passing is tragic. So much medical training that could have helped so many people over a lifetime, including all of those that may have suffered from whatever ailment or problem that finally caused you to take your own life.

But all of that will soon be laid to rest in Texas. I hope you rest in peace.

Gabriel's New Big Truck

Well, not really that big or a truck, but Gabriel is now a happy passenger in a 2002 Toyota Highlander we bought on Friday evening. We got it used on Craigslist and it was quite a find for us.



Below is a photo from the listing. So far we've taken it out to see the horse and back, went to the park to see geese and throw rocks, and done a few odd chores. It's great fun to drive and Gabriel loves the keyless entry remote, of course.




That means I get to get rid of the chickenmobile!

GABRIEL FRANCIS

GABRIEL FRANCIS - that's what Gabriel began to declare over and over again last night after seeing his reflection in our bedroom window. It was a surprising and funny moment of self-discovery as he has pretty much avoided saying his own name or any part of it.

Now, all of a sudden with great pride, he will happily tell you his name is GABRIEL FRANCIS and that he's "2".

It was very cute, very touching, and very funny.

Other bits we're proud of: He already knows and identifies most major colors, can count to 6 (but 5, for some reason, comes after), and in his currently favorite book "Snow" he knows and says all of the rhyming words himself.


He's also taken to helping sing his lullabies, specifically "Winkle" (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) and "Peace" (All Through the Night - Peter, Paul & Mary version). Not only that, he'll sing "Zoo" (Going to the Zoo, Peter, Paul & Mary/Raffi versions) any old time.