Loss of an old friend

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm continuing along on my healing journey,

But it is time to say good-bye to Ira Coltan, my friend and ex-husband and father of my wonderful children.
Ira was in great pain during his hospital stay, so we are happy that he is now free from the pain.

Ira was a lifelong smoker, and was able to smoke until he entered the hospital.  No one knew that he had extensive cancer throughout his body, and that the tumors in his brain were hemoraging.

We'll alway remember Ira for his unconditional love, his generosity, and his laughter.  He always enjoyed the home-cooked meals that Tanya or I would make.  Although his passion was bridge, he could occassionally be talked into a game of chess, and be amazed that Tanya or George could beat him at a game that he used to excel at.

We will miss him.  And we wish him well on this next journey.

Here's a photo of him taken at Tanya and Mike's wedding in Mendocino a few years ago.

We lay his body to rest on Tuesday, November 24th, His body will be on a knoll in the sunshine.  It's a place that Mike and Tanya have walked to before with the dog.  I'm sure they'll be visiting it to say hello every now and then.

Love to you all,

Carol

Labor of Love

Well, I was a bit optimistic about the kitchen.  George says that by Thanksgiving it should be done.  The granite is down, the appliances all work, and he has made great progress on building the drawers.  Here are some photos: 

It is great to be home!  I arrived late Friday night, to find that Mike and Tanya and Seth had already been hard at cleaning the house, especially the bedroom and my office.  They returned on Saturday to empty out the office and office closet, clean the bones, and then coax me into letting go of some of my acquisitions.  Man, I certainly hold on to "things".  The family was gentle on me and my peculiarities,  and the results are spectacular.  The office is friendly, usable, and set up for my needs.  And as if that weren't enough,  Tanya raced out to make dinner for us: homemade soup and delicious salad!  Couldn't have been better!

I'm still coughing a bit, but that is to be expected.

And I am so grateful for the labor of Love that my family has done.  Thank you!