This week has been a week of tears and smiles for me.

I lost my dad to Alzhemier's disease almost three years ago.

Hearing of Reagan's death due to the disease opened up some wounds-watching the ceremonies enabled me to lose a little bit of the pain that I held in my heart for the last three years.

When I heard that RR was to leave for Washington from the Point
Mugu Naval Air Station it reminded me of the day we spent at the airshow the military puts on every year.
My dad was beginning his trip home around then.

As I watched the hearse pull on to the tarmac where Air Force One waited for RR to be taken on board it made me think of a Sunday a few years ago.

I took my dad to an airshow at that same airfield years ago.

It was wonderful to see the coverage on the TV. I looked for the area where we both sat and watched the planes.

During the show I would sneak a look at him to see the
reaction on his face.....For some reason I began to think and realized that my time with him was short.

It was a great day.

If you happen to get on the road that heads south from the airbase you will run into some camp ground close to the beach.

Big Sycamore Canyon Campground is a place where I have another wonderful memory of my dad..

We had gone camping for a few days with him and my girlfriend.
Before lunch we decided to go for a walk and asked my dad to go with us. He declined-he wanted to relax and rest...

Before we left I fixed him some lunch and off we went...

On the way back to the campsite I looked and saw my dad, asleep in a chair and surrounded by squirrels.

One was in his lap, eating his potato chips and sandwich, two were between his feet feasting on the spilled spoils- the rest were making squirrel noises waiting for their turn to feast.

As we approached, I called out his name and he awoke, He realized that he was the center of a squirrel feeding frenzyand his face broke into a smile, a smile that was of surprise and realization that he was the the victim of a joke.

A joke straight from mother nature.

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As I watched the men of our armed forces carry Reagan's remains
I remember carrying my dad's coffin on the day we buried him.

I thought that my heart would make his body too heavy to carry to his grave.

I was wrong.

The coffin was as light as a feather.

I do remember how heavy he was on the days we had to get him ready for his dialysis treatments.

On that day it was as if he wanted us not to remember his weight-

In our hearts, minds and muscles.....


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People have posted messages about having loved ones that are afflicted with this disease.

I hope that when things get tough you remember to be brave, strong and realize that you are not alone at that moment. I hope you think about the people who have gone before you, and the people who will follow in your footsteps.

Be kind, gentle and understanding to your loved ones.

There will be days when you can't go on.

Those are the days when you will get off your knees and move forward.

I know you can do it.

As scary as it sounds, one day we could follow them down that road, and we will want to be treated with compassion and love when we begin our own journey.

I can't tell you about the heartaches you will face.

I can only tell you about the smiles and fond memories when all is said and done.

Thanks and God bless you all.