In memory of:
James Russell Christensen
August 23 1949 - November 22 2004
What a hard week it has been. The memories of the day my dad died have been overwhelming to me. As I am certain they are even harder for my mom.
My dad and I rarely saw eye to eye on things, politics, television, or the way a lot of things should be handled. There was one thing that was never a doubt though. We loved each other, unconditionally regardless of our faults. There were times in my life that I wished I didn;t have to deal with my dad, but I know that because he was hard on me I am who I am today. I don;t agree with everything my dad did and said. Regardless I will always love him.
The day he was rushed to the hospital as I watched him laying there dying we had great opportunities. We told ne another that we loved each other. We apologized for all wrong doings that may have taken place between one another.
I had great opportunities with my dad prior to his dying and after. About two weeks before my dad passed away we sat down and talked. His doctor had informed him that the infection in his foot and leg would soon spread to the rest of his body if he didn;t have his leg amputated. My dad refused to have the procedure done and knew the risks he was to take. He and I sat down and talked about it. He tearfully asked me to take care of my mom. I asked him if he thought he was going. He told me "I sure as hell hope so." My dad was ready to pass through the veil for what was waiting for him on the other side. He had great faith in the love and redemption of the Great Redeemer Jesus Christ.
The Sunday morning my mom called me frantically at around 4 or 5AM I rushed to the hospital to be there with her and my dad. He was in the emergency room surrounded by doctors, it was like something you would have seen on the TV show ER. My mom and I were whisked away to a family room and told to wait patiently. We waited and until the doctor wanted to speak to us. We gave them the instruction as it was to be my dad's wishes. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) That was unbelievably hard for my mom to pass on to the doctors and crushing for me to hear. We all knew though that my dad had suffered enough pain on this Earth and it was time for him to be relieved of that pain and suffering. Once stable we spoke to him for a short time. I left so that my parents could be alone and together. I am not a big an of hospitals I don't like to be there, I came and went often throughout the day. Some people may think that it heartless but it was my way of dealing with the situation.
At one point in the day I was called to return to the hospital so that my mom and I could speak to the doctor attending to my father. We told her the same things that we told the ER, do not resuscitate. If he was to live it was to be on his own, no heroics were to be performed.
The day was up and down. It was like a true emotional roller coaster. I had the wonderful opportunity to give my dad a blessing accompanied by my friends Lynn Orchard and Parker Fillmore.
It was amazing the blessing clearly stated that there was nothing to worry about, everything would be okay. All of us should be calm and not be worried about the situation at hand. I interpreted that he was going to be fine. That he would pull through. He died about twelve hours later. I struggled with that for a while. Until it hit me that everything was okay, it would be fine, and he was going to be alright. Just not here on Earth. How humbling it was to me to realize that the blessing offered was accurate, only my interpretation of it was wrong.
To help my mom I prepared most of the funeral arrangements. Called a friend who makes caskets for a living and got the process started to make a casket that would be appropriate to my dad. I had a casket made that was pure black, with orange pin striping, chrome handles, two large Harley Davidson emblems, and four small ones across the bottom. My dad was buried in what he wouls have loved a Harley Davidson casket. He rode his Harley and loved it. He loved it so much he even rebuilt it from his wheelchair in the early 80's after a horrific accident and 6 months in the hospital.
I had the opportunity to speak at my dad's funeral, dedicate his grave, be a pallbearer, and when the time came I, along with the remaining pallbearers lowered my dad's casket into the ground.
I remember it like it was yesterday. The love of my friends and family around us for my dad's passing. I remember our Bishop, Bert Dover putting his hand on my shoulder as I lost control as the US Army played Taps on behalf of my dad and his passing.
For the last year, in memory of my dad I have been growing my goatee. It is quite long now, but as I have made clear to everyone it is coming off. At least I believe I am going to shave it, there has been a lot of people telling me I should keep it. Grow it another year and so on. I just don;t know. We'll see about that.
I was honored yesterday to go to the Temple and be baptized for my dad, as his proxy. I also had the honor to confirm him with my good friend Bert Dover as his proxy. It was a great blessing for me to complete all of my dad's work. What a blessing. I am grateful for all that has been able to be done. I can;t wait to see my dad again, whole and complete without even a hair upon his head missing. It will be a truly great day.
In loving memory of my dad. Jim Christensen 23 August - 22 November
23 November 2005
17 November 2005
Chicago vacation
I know I am lagging on getting this post done! Here it is once and for all. Check back for pictures as I will add them tomorrow.
Man, what a whirwind vacation. It was short and meant to be that way. Visitors are like fish, after three days they both start to stink!
I wanted to see everybody and everything. The everybody was pretty easy, the everything was a little tougher. I couldn't take the family into the city on this trip to show them the sites, but we did go to a really neat museum in Milwaukee Wisconsin. We all had a good time there. Camille loved the discovery zone area. It gave all the kids an opportunity to play and learn about how things work, mechanics, electronics, power and electricity. It was great for all of us.
Well let me try to start from the top. We flew into O'Hare Airport where my brother picked us up. He and I can talk for hours and hours so it was good that he picked us up. It gave Steph and the kids some resting time while we yacked in the front seat. He took us to my grandparents house where we worked out the sleeping arrangements! Thank goodness for grandparents...no hotel bill this way! We were also able to borrow one of their cars which was really cool. They had one or two extras in case of a grandkid coming to visit so we were able to borrow one which helped a lot. My grandma Ellis had offered us her car but that would have left her with nothing to drive and I didn't feel like I could do that to her. I would have ended up renting a car to avoid that. So needless to say with as cheap as I am I was glad to borrow rather than rent a car.
It was pretty much a great vacation we did a whole lot of nothing. I had no agenda other than seeing my family. Steph and the kids had lots of fun. Camille and Clayton met more cousins than they are ever going to be able to remember. I got to see my cousins Katie and Kristin which was great. I have not seen them for years! I loved it!
Everyone was great, they treated Steph just like she had always been a part of our family.
I am grateful I got to go back before I had to go back. Meaning I am glad this was not a funeral visit. I am worried however that that type of visit is not too far off. Everyone is getting older and you just never know what is going to happen to poeple.
It was a nice short visit and I was glad to go. Hopefully we can make it up there more often.
Man, what a whirwind vacation. It was short and meant to be that way. Visitors are like fish, after three days they both start to stink!
I wanted to see everybody and everything. The everybody was pretty easy, the everything was a little tougher. I couldn't take the family into the city on this trip to show them the sites, but we did go to a really neat museum in Milwaukee Wisconsin. We all had a good time there. Camille loved the discovery zone area. It gave all the kids an opportunity to play and learn about how things work, mechanics, electronics, power and electricity. It was great for all of us.
Well let me try to start from the top. We flew into O'Hare Airport where my brother picked us up. He and I can talk for hours and hours so it was good that he picked us up. It gave Steph and the kids some resting time while we yacked in the front seat. He took us to my grandparents house where we worked out the sleeping arrangements! Thank goodness for grandparents...no hotel bill this way! We were also able to borrow one of their cars which was really cool. They had one or two extras in case of a grandkid coming to visit so we were able to borrow one which helped a lot. My grandma Ellis had offered us her car but that would have left her with nothing to drive and I didn't feel like I could do that to her. I would have ended up renting a car to avoid that. So needless to say with as cheap as I am I was glad to borrow rather than rent a car.
It was pretty much a great vacation we did a whole lot of nothing. I had no agenda other than seeing my family. Steph and the kids had lots of fun. Camille and Clayton met more cousins than they are ever going to be able to remember. I got to see my cousins Katie and Kristin which was great. I have not seen them for years! I loved it!
Everyone was great, they treated Steph just like she had always been a part of our family.
I am grateful I got to go back before I had to go back. Meaning I am glad this was not a funeral visit. I am worried however that that type of visit is not too far off. Everyone is getting older and you just never know what is going to happen to poeple.
It was a nice short visit and I was glad to go. Hopefully we can make it up there more often.
16 November 2005
Influence and its importance
This will be a quick blog post. As you all probably know we just went to Chicago, by plane. Now there was a time that I was a very calm flyer and had no troubles at all. Those times have since passed I am now a complete freeaaakkk! The turbulence drives me crazy the landings always make me think we are going to spin out of control and crash. Ahhh! Don't get me wrong I am not afraid of what is to come after this life, but man I am not looking forward to dying!
Enough about my super power called paranoia. The influence I wanted to talk about was what I found myself wearing on the airplane. Way back when I was a normal flyer, I had a friend (this person knows who they are) who had what I considered to be this completely silly routine of what to wear on the plane. As I remember it, it was tennis shoes because they are easy to run in (in case of an emergency), denim or levi jeans because they were a strong fabric that could hold up (in case of an emergency), and I'm not sure but a comfortable shirt. If I remember right the comfortable shirt was for being able to move around with ease, (in case of an emergency). Now I may have hacked my friends theory to pieces. It may be completely different then how she originally told it to me, but this is how I remember it.
It did not hit me until we were delayed in Chicago as to what I was wearing on the plane, subconsciously (spelling?) I was wearing the exact things I had made fun of her for. The influence was astounding to me, it must have been more than 6 years ago she told me this story of wardrobe for flight. I couldn't believe it.
Now for clarification I am not blaming her or anyone for me new found fear of flying (I don;t thnk anyone would think that but just to be PC I want to clarify) I am just pointing out the influence it had on me later in life.
It makes me wonder what a great power of influence we have over people. What things have I said good and bad to influence people. I pray the good has been more than the bad, but I fear it may not be that way. I hope anyone who I've influenced poorly has not followed my direction and will forgive me. For those who I may have influenced positively I hope it's enough to help me remember to always try to be a positive influence.
Enough about my super power called paranoia. The influence I wanted to talk about was what I found myself wearing on the airplane. Way back when I was a normal flyer, I had a friend (this person knows who they are) who had what I considered to be this completely silly routine of what to wear on the plane. As I remember it, it was tennis shoes because they are easy to run in (in case of an emergency), denim or levi jeans because they were a strong fabric that could hold up (in case of an emergency), and I'm not sure but a comfortable shirt. If I remember right the comfortable shirt was for being able to move around with ease, (in case of an emergency). Now I may have hacked my friends theory to pieces. It may be completely different then how she originally told it to me, but this is how I remember it.
It did not hit me until we were delayed in Chicago as to what I was wearing on the plane, subconsciously (spelling?) I was wearing the exact things I had made fun of her for. The influence was astounding to me, it must have been more than 6 years ago she told me this story of wardrobe for flight. I couldn't believe it.
Now for clarification I am not blaming her or anyone for me new found fear of flying (I don;t thnk anyone would think that but just to be PC I want to clarify) I am just pointing out the influence it had on me later in life.
It makes me wonder what a great power of influence we have over people. What things have I said good and bad to influence people. I pray the good has been more than the bad, but I fear it may not be that way. I hope anyone who I've influenced poorly has not followed my direction and will forgive me. For those who I may have influenced positively I hope it's enough to help me remember to always try to be a positive influence.
04 November 2005
Something about the windy city
You know I am actually excited about something. Most of you who know me know that I don;t get real "worked up" (happy excited) over a whole lot, but I am going to Chicago next week with the family. We got the reservations tonight and of we are going. We're only spending a couple of days there, but boy it will be nice to see all the family again. Besides none of them have met my boy Clayton yet.
It'll be nice to go back home again. There is something about that place that just makes me feel good. Don't get me wrong. Tucson is my adopted home, but there is just something about Chicago (Zion) that makes me want to go there as often as possible.
It'll be good. I have told everyone it is most likely our last pleasure visit there for a while. I wanted to go before anyone passes away. I know that sounds a little morbid but it is reality. I'd really kick myself if I missed the opportunity to see my family before anything happened. Besides like I said it will be good for everyone to meet Clayto and Camille.
At first it I began planning all sorts of trips and things to do. museums, the loop, going to Carthage (about 6 hours away) then it hit me we're only going to be there for four days, there will barely be enough time to see the family let alone all the sites. I do plan to take the fam into the city though it will be fun.
I'll throw some pics on of the trip just as soon as we have them.
It'll be nice to go back home again. There is something about that place that just makes me feel good. Don't get me wrong. Tucson is my adopted home, but there is just something about Chicago (Zion) that makes me want to go there as often as possible.
It'll be good. I have told everyone it is most likely our last pleasure visit there for a while. I wanted to go before anyone passes away. I know that sounds a little morbid but it is reality. I'd really kick myself if I missed the opportunity to see my family before anything happened. Besides like I said it will be good for everyone to meet Clayto and Camille.
At first it I began planning all sorts of trips and things to do. museums, the loop, going to Carthage (about 6 hours away) then it hit me we're only going to be there for four days, there will barely be enough time to see the family let alone all the sites. I do plan to take the fam into the city though it will be fun.
I'll throw some pics on of the trip just as soon as we have them.
31 October 2005
Camille's Birthday...4 already!
I can't believe my little girl is already four years old! It is amazing, she is turning into such a little lady. They say time flies when you are having fun, well I can't translate how much fun the last four years have been.
She raked it in pretty big this year which is nice for her. I like to see her have lots of neat things to wear and play with. At school she had a little party where a lot of the parents were kind enough to bring her gifts, that's nice because we have given out gifts so we were hoping that it would be recipricated. We made a cake for her to share with all of her little friends at school and they loved it. Nothing like sugaring up the kids before the end of day right?!
At Church she had a little primary (Sunday School) song sung to her and got a birthday pencil. My mom, her Nana Susan got her a baggie full of goodies and she loved it. She got Play-Doh (spelling?) coloring books, colored pencils, and a bucket full of Play-Doh accessories. Unfortunately for us there was no Play-Doh removal tool included, you know from when i am scraping it out of the carpet, her hair, the dogs hair, the cats hair, and the occasional crack or crevice. She's actually really good with it so i'm not too worried.
After Church we went to my in-laws home, Dave and Karen. They made her the dinner of her choice. Steak, potatoes, and green beans. No coaching required from Dad either. She knows when to pick the good stuff all on her own! Woo hoo! She got a lot of neat gifts there as well. A Leapster game, a new purse, and some other stuff that I can't even remember. We took a bunch of pictures so I'll be adding those later.
It's amazing watching these kids grow up. I love every minute of it.
Trunk or Treating/Work party/Friend's Haloween party
Busy, busy, busy.
On Saturday night we had our Church's annual "trunk or treating" activity which was a blast. The kids looked adorable and Steph and I dressed up as Black Eyed Peas, email me if you want details on me and Steph. Camille was a very adorable cheerleader and Clayton was a pumpkin. They both loved their costumes! We had a good time it was lots of fun and Camille surprisingly enough filled her pumpkin about a third of the way full and said that was enoguh candy for her. I couldn't believe that me of all people would have a kid that would turn down first candy, and second FREE candy. That's okay though she had a good time and that's what mattered the most.
After the trunk or treating Steph and the kids went home and I went to a work Halloween party, kind of the obligatory visit. Not really my thing. Drunk people from work and drunk friends of my bosses. No thanks. So I hit the road pretty fast from there.
After that party there was one more to go to at a friends house. It was good times. They have an annual Halloween bash and everybody really likes it. It was a lot cooler than the other party since there was no drinking going on and we were all friends from Church.
Lots of fun and busy days and nights.
On Saturday night we had our Church's annual "trunk or treating" activity which was a blast. The kids looked adorable and Steph and I dressed up as Black Eyed Peas, email me if you want details on me and Steph. Camille was a very adorable cheerleader and Clayton was a pumpkin. They both loved their costumes! We had a good time it was lots of fun and Camille surprisingly enough filled her pumpkin about a third of the way full and said that was enoguh candy for her. I couldn't believe that me of all people would have a kid that would turn down first candy, and second FREE candy. That's okay though she had a good time and that's what mattered the most.
After the trunk or treating Steph and the kids went home and I went to a work Halloween party, kind of the obligatory visit. Not really my thing. Drunk people from work and drunk friends of my bosses. No thanks. So I hit the road pretty fast from there.
After that party there was one more to go to at a friends house. It was good times. They have an annual Halloween bash and everybody really likes it. It was a lot cooler than the other party since there was no drinking going on and we were all friends from Church.
Lots of fun and busy days and nights.
29 October 2005
28 October 2005
Happy Kids/Sick Kids
It's funny to me that just yesterday Camille was having the time of her life at a little pre-birthday party that her school put on for her and tonight she is sick to her stomach and miserable. I feel horrible for her. She looks like she feels awful and the worst part of the whole deal is tomorrow is our Church's "trunk or treating" and the day after that is her real birthday. Argh! I hope she feels better by tomorrow, I really don't want her to miss out on some good trick or treating.
Gotta start somewhere.
Well okay. My old friend Ryann emailed me her blog today and I was so moved by it that I couldn't help but start one of my own.
I really don't know what to start with other than some very simple basics. I am currently working as a store manager or a local car audio store. I have been in this general industry for the last twelve years...yikes! It is starting to look a lot like a career. Stephanie and I are selling our house and building a new one. We are bursting at the seams where we are now so it is time for something a little bigger. We figured with the housing boom in Tucson right now if we don't buy a house soon we'll never get another one.
Steph and I are possibly soon to be expecting a new edition to our family. Pamela is the name, Gowns by Pamela that is. We are "looking into" buying an LDS Temple appropriate wedding gown business. It is home based so as long as Steph can handle the dresses I will take of the books and accounting. We'll see what happens. If it is meant to be it will be.
We have two wonderful kids, Camille who is going to be 4 on Sunday and Clayton who is 6 months old. What a tremendous blessing these kids are in our lives we are very lucky parents. Camille absolutely loves her little brother, and Clayton is in awe of her. Other parts of our family include, Sassi (dog), Max (cat), Doree (fish). I think that is all we will be keeping around. We have our hands full with the three of them and the two kids.
School for me is going well. I am in a Psych 425 class right now. Chemical dependency in the workplace. The first night of class I had to leave early because I threw out my back and took a couple of Vicadin and got sick to my stomach. Believe me the instructor had a ball with that. Fortunately I know him so he understood completely.
Well I don't have a lot more to say for now. I will be posting pictures as soon as I can. Best wishes to all who read this. Dave
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