Good Day and Sad

Well it was back to work today! I am really happy to be back. I wasn't sure how I would feel but it is nice to be back. Oddly it almost feels like I never left. I mean it does but doesn't you know? It will take a bit to get back into the groove and to learn the changes that have been made over the past SEVERAL months but I look forward to it.

Sadly though my return also was right after the death of the company's owner Jeff Dockstader. He was and is such a wonderful man, father and friend. I truly will miss him always. It doesn't seem real that he is gone. It was very hard for his family today. Jeff was an amazing person. So many people loved and respected him. This Friday the shop will be closed and we will be attending his funeral that morning.

It does warm my heart to know that he now has been reunited with his mother and long lost love. His first wife passed away about 17 years ago after a horrible car accident the family was involved in. Please don't get me wrong. It saddens me that his wife here on Earth has lost her love and he has lost her but I can only imagine how joyous it must be for him up in heaven right now. Jeff led a marvelous life and has raised eight beautiful children.

I will remember his unique laugh, his lack of remembering people's names (haha), his compassion, his thoughtfulness, his generosity. He always said hello to you and asked how your family was doing. And he meant it.

I remember before I came to work for Fresno Body Works when I worked at Fresno Dodge/Lexus Jeff would bring popsicles on hot days, donuts on the days we all seemed to need one (or not!), and apples in the fall. This is what he did. Up until his passing. He always maintained wonderful relationships with businesses and tried to always see that every customer received the best service and treatment at his shops. Something that his family will continue on in his honor. And those of us that feel like family.

I only wish I had seen him more recently than a few months ago. I had visited the shops a few times but never ran into him. The last time I saw him was the night before our Ben's open heart surgery. He and his son Dean came to our home and gave a Holy Blessing. It was so thoughtful and so heartwarming that they took time out of their busy lives to do that. The night will forever remain special to me not only because of the emotional times with Ben and the comfort of the blessing but also because that was the last time I saw Jeff. What a wonderful way to remember him.

Jeff passed away this past Friday night driving home. He suffered a heart attack just down the street from his home. No one else was injured. Please say a prayer for him and his family.

Truly a remarkable man.

Time is Running Out

Wow. You would think that after being off of work since early December that I would want to go back?!
Nope.
Nada.
Don't get me wrong. I love the job and the family I work for and the people I work with. I just don't want to go back! I love being home with the kids. I do enjoy away time and I know I will get back into the routine of working but looking ahead to next week I just want to cry!
Next week!
This Monday!
AHHHHH!
It sure doesn't feel like I have been gone this long. It's not like all this time off was fun and games. Haha. I keep waiting to find a solution to stay home. Maybe I should have been playing the lotto all this time...

Busy times

Gabriel started the new daycare this week and so far he is loving it! In fact yesterday Nate and I went to pick him up and it took at least 20 minutes for us to leave and even then he cried in protest. And he even knew we were going to see Gma! And he LOVES to go there. He has been learning the letter "h" this week and is trying to use the potty everyday. No success yet but he's going through the motions.

Ben has started to eat baby food now. As if he's been doing it all of his life already! He ate almost an entire jar of carrots and apples yesterday. He probably could have but we had already used a little bit the day before. And this was all in one meal! Yikes!

Kirsten will be coming home next week on Thursday after her trip up to her Dad's house. She and Sean called me the other day. What a surprise! I was so happy to hear from them. They are having a great time and when they called they were on their way home from an overnight stay on an island. She has pictures on her Myspace I noticed last night.

Nate is trucking away at work in the hot Fresno sun and working four days a week at Whole Foods at night right now. Plus he is studying and doing homework prepping for his schooling coming up next month. He's still loving the Electrician's job so that's great. His neck and face are very tan from being outside so much. I think they pay you so well after five years because by that time you have skin cancer...

I spent yesterday plugging away doing stuff for It's My Heart around town and made a side trip to see my old OB/GYN doctor, Dr. Boehm, since he is retiring after this Thursday. I finally got his autograph on the football and baseball birth announcements. Talk about lucky timing! I will miss him. He's a great guy. He said Thursday he's going to throw back some beers and celebrate. I would to after 40 years of looking at women's hoo haws!