A slight change on the blog entries from my original plan… but I want to ask you all to say a prayer, think a positive thought, anything, for my dad. I got a phone call this morning from my step-mom down in South Carolina letting me know that my dad had had a minor heart attack last night! He complained to her that he was not feeling well and needed to go to the hospital early last night so they rushed out the door.

They were admitted immediately and apparently he had the actual heart attack AT the hospital which was the best case scenario as they were able to get everything under control so quickly his heart is showing no damage in regards to the attack. However they DID find two arteries clogged – one 90% and the other 70-80%. By 6:30 or so this morning they did the procedure to unclog the 90% one. With it taking so long to do they decided to wait on the other which is non life threatening at this point. So he will be in hospital for at least another day or two. Then he is home for 2 weeks off work, just in time for the next procedure. So it looks like a month off work.

Luckily my stepsister is home with them for now as well – her husband was deployed to Kuwait on Monday (so think kindly on him as well please) so I know that my stepmom has someone on hand to help out and lean on. I cannot afford the trip down which is really hard to take and right now dad does NOT have a phone in his room or anything ( he was in the icu this morning). BUT my stepmom is working on it, along with getting the internet to him. So I could always make a video message for him from us and the kids.

So like my stepmom said – the news is good and bad – the good news is everyone is OK, the bad news is how they got to being ok. They are in a terrific hospital that has been right on the ball the whole time, from them walking in the door of emergency onwards… he has gotten through the first procedure with flying colours and is resting well… but so scary!

What the doctor has said is that he needs to make a dietary change (seriously you do NOT want to read about his favourite food choices, not heart friendly) and start an exercise regiment. These are all easy things to deal with. He will also be on some new medications and actually HAVE TO go to the doctor more regularily (another fun fact we will leave out is when his last visit to a doctor was). So some common sense changes and he should be just fine! Funny thing – same basic procedure as what our Echo has to go through in a couple months!! Go figure!

Quite the harsh reality to wake up to, as a total Daddy’s Girl it is hard to have to face the reality that your dad is growing a wee bit older and is rather human. So I am sending all the love I can, hugging my babies tight and praying he will go home in a couple days and then this is the start of a much healthier and LONG life. Please please keep us all in your thoughts!!! It has been well over a year since I have seen my dad in person and with this, it is looking like it may just be another one! 

So as far as I know he is in the hospital for a few more days and then home to REST. I hope to Skype or something with him soon. Love you Daddy!

Our visit with Grandpa Reinsch back last July for Canada Day!!!

So I took my kids to the cemetery today so they could ask very… interesting questions… things like: Why is there a hole in the ground? How did they dig that hole? Is someone going to fill the hole? Why are they putting flowers in the hole? Can I put one in the hole (which they let them do)? Why is the jar in the hole? Is it a MAGIC jar? When are the flowers coming out? and the all time favourite – Where are we going next? The funniest answer to one of their questions BEFORE we got to the cemetery was my mom’s to the question – What is a cemetery? – her response… a field! Oh dear! So now I am pretty sure we will have some interesting moments when one of the boys yells out LOOK there is a CEMETERY and there are COWS in it!

Cheeky Monkeys I Love Them So (Zander on left)

Our Dolly

Now for the reason we were at said field.. I mean cemetery… A year ago on February 25th my Grandma MacLean’s youngest sister June passed away. That year half of her ashes were buried with her husband and the other half were held onto until today where her kids were able to fulfil her final request and place them with her parents.

Great Aunt June Now at Peace

Her son did a short reading of scripture and said a few words and then they placed the ashes in the hole and had people put roses with them. Pink and white – they even let each of our boys and a couple of my mom’s cousins’ kids (she has 5) do so. There was quite a nice sized group and one of the other sisters said a few words.

Urn and Roses that Went Into the Grave

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Morse

Right next to my Great Grandparents was the grave of my Great GREAT Grandma as well! The plaque has been jarred lose so there are plans to replace it but it was really special to be able to visit so many generation of my family at once!

Great Great Grandma

The day was warm and the sun bright and the kids did so well. Trinity had to be taken into the shade after a bit but all in all it felt like we all really paid proper respect to Great Aunt June.  A couple of my Uncles and one of my Aunts was there as well. Though I did not know the names of most of the extended family it was great to meet them again.

Paying Our Respects

Great Aunty

My Mom and Another Great Aunty

After the cemetery we all headed to the hall for lunch and visiting. At that point Aunty June’s son said a few more things.., reminded us about my grandma’s childhood (her father died when Aunty June was only 1 leaving my great grandma to support 12 people during the depression!) and what wonderful people we can claim relation to who have gone before us.

Made by My Grandpa Donated to Hall

Plaque Under

After that my Uncle Wayne presented my surviving Great Uncle with two plaques commemorating the fact that the Morse family has farmed on the same plot of land for 100yrs! He is in his 80’s himself and now one of his nephews also farms with him. What an accomplishment! We took pictures of him and his wife and then all the surviving siblings as well with the plaques! I just know my Grandma would be proud!

Surving Brother and Sisters and His Wife

The Plaques

My Cousin Veronika and her boyfriend made it a little before the speeches so I did get in a visit with at least one of my cousins. She will be in the city at the end of August and I am really looking forward to having her over for visiting and dinner. We did not stay too long after the presentation as we had to head back home, stopping off for a quick hello and giving me the chance to peek at Karyn’s new place and then home for the night.

Cousin Veronika and Me

Mom and Her Cousin Barbara

The drive past Karyn’s was a bit hairy as we had severe thunderstorm warnings but we made it home in one piece and just a little soggy. Thankful to be home and feeling good about the day I am looking forward to tomorrow and the Heritage Festival… here is hoping the weather works in our favour.

It Got Dark and Wet FAST!

So tonight I ask everyone to say a little word for a loved one they have had to say good bye to for now and remember that they are all so proud of us! I know my Grandma MUST be watching over my 4 kids. She always said she loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren best of all! Bless!

Ken and Myself