Today is Friday. It's October 25th 2013. The start of another typical weekend for most of us. Just another day...
For me, it's a big deal. Dad was born on October 25, 1933. Today he would have been 80 years old. I understand that it's only a date and it doesn't affect hardly anyone. However, I feel a sense of loss that doesn't ease with time. It's been nine months and one week since he passed away, yet I still think about him every day. I try not to bring up the subject during conversations but memories of Dad are constantly on my mind.
The unofficial biography and anecdotes of tomjtexas. Stories are in random order and posted as I can remember them. He passed away on January 17th 2013.
former HEALTH UPDATES are here!
(scroll to the bottom as they are in chronological order)Archived updates are
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I'm tired of your ass!
Darwin "Dum-Dum" Matthews was a good friend of my Dad's. Back in the day, guys would borrow shotguns and shells from each other at the trap shoots. Dad was at a trap shoot and was also using a borrowed gun, trying it out because he was considering purchasing it. Everyone kept shells in their vests and Darwin had a few that he had specially loaded for a prank. Dad was shooting in the finale and ran out of shells and asked Darwin for a couple of shells. Darwin reached for a few that he had loaded with nothing but black powder. As he handed Dad the shells, he slowly backed away. "PULL!" Dad took aim and shot. Nothing but a big cloud of black smoke. Everyone cracked up because Dad was just snookered by Dum-Dum! Dad was stuck with cleaning a borrowed gun because Dum-Dum had pranked him...and he swore his revenge.
A couple of weeks later, Dad and I had been loading shells in the basement, getting ready for another big event. He had a shotgun sitting on the table with another special load. We heard a knock on the back door and Darwin came in still chuckling about his prank on Dad. He came down the steps into the basement and just as he got into the basement, Dad shouted, "I'm tired of your ass joking around!" grabbed the shotgun, pointed it right at him and fired! He blasted him with confetti as Darwin shuddered.
I had long forgotten this story until I saw Dum-Dum recently and he re-told the story while reminiscing about Dad. We had a big chuckle about it and I'm grateful to be reminded about Dad's sense of humor. Good times and good pranks!
A couple of weeks later, Dad and I had been loading shells in the basement, getting ready for another big event. He had a shotgun sitting on the table with another special load. We heard a knock on the back door and Darwin came in still chuckling about his prank on Dad. He came down the steps into the basement and just as he got into the basement, Dad shouted, "I'm tired of your ass joking around!" grabbed the shotgun, pointed it right at him and fired! He blasted him with confetti as Darwin shuddered.
I had long forgotten this story until I saw Dum-Dum recently and he re-told the story while reminiscing about Dad. We had a big chuckle about it and I'm grateful to be reminded about Dad's sense of humor. Good times and good pranks!
October 25 1933 - January 17 2013
Tom passed away at 1:16 pm this afternoon. He left us with Mom, Becky and I at his side. The grief I feel will pass in time, but for now, it's heartbreaking.
My father was a very special person who was loved by so many people. Even in illness, his courage to fight on was truly legendary. He fought a drug resistant infection for a month and a half only thinking of being able to take care of our family. Although his heart stopped several times last month, he fought through it.
I still plan to add more stories about my time with him. There are so many to tell. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to spend a lot of time with him. He took great care of me and I took the best care of him I possibly could. He will live in my heart and mind forever.
Peace to you and your families...my father lies at peace and rest.
My father was a very special person who was loved by so many people. Even in illness, his courage to fight on was truly legendary. He fought a drug resistant infection for a month and a half only thinking of being able to take care of our family. Although his heart stopped several times last month, he fought through it.
I still plan to add more stories about my time with him. There are so many to tell. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to spend a lot of time with him. He took great care of me and I took the best care of him I possibly could. He will live in my heart and mind forever.
Peace to you and your families...my father lies at peace and rest.
The News
This morning I arrived at the hospital hoping for some good news regarding Dad's condition. We've been hoping and praying for a miracle that hasn't arrived. Upon arrival, his infectious disease doctor stepped in to speak with me."I need to be blunt with you. His infections are only getting worse and his wounds will not heal. He's severely swollen due to fluid buildup and his kidney functions have worsened and the situation is hopeless."
It felt like someone hit me in the chest with a sledgehammer. I choked back tears and said "I understand." Right after I spoke the words Dad, opened his eyes and shook his head trying to focus. The doctor asked if he recognized me and he just stared at me. She told him to blink if he recognized me. He blinked twice slowly and deliberately. The doctor said she would give me some time with him and quickly exited the room.
I talked to him about the situation and he kept his eyes on me the entire time. I explained that I can't stand to see him suffer much more as I kissed him on his forehead. By this time, the tears were flowing heavily. Dad's eyes also welled up with tears. He closed his eyes again as he faded back to sleep.
I immediately came home from the hospital and had to have the talk with Becky and Mom. It's a difficult decision to let anyone go. We all can't bear to see him keep suffering. Tears have flowed and we are preparing for his death. A nurse told me that they could remove the ventilator and stop the propofol so that we could speak to him and he will be able to focus. We're about to go and say our final goodbyes.
We went to tell him goodbye and Dad had told the doctor to keep him alive as long as possible. His struggle continues....
It felt like someone hit me in the chest with a sledgehammer. I choked back tears and said "I understand." Right after I spoke the words Dad, opened his eyes and shook his head trying to focus. The doctor asked if he recognized me and he just stared at me. She told him to blink if he recognized me. He blinked twice slowly and deliberately. The doctor said she would give me some time with him and quickly exited the room.
I talked to him about the situation and he kept his eyes on me the entire time. I explained that I can't stand to see him suffer much more as I kissed him on his forehead. By this time, the tears were flowing heavily. Dad's eyes also welled up with tears. He closed his eyes again as he faded back to sleep.
I immediately came home from the hospital and had to have the talk with Becky and Mom. It's a difficult decision to let anyone go. We all can't bear to see him keep suffering. Tears have flowed and we are preparing for his death. A nurse told me that they could remove the ventilator and stop the propofol so that we could speak to him and he will be able to focus. We're about to go and say our final goodbyes.
We went to tell him goodbye and Dad had told the doctor to keep him alive as long as possible. His struggle continues....
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