UTAH TRIP

I had a very busy weekend in Utah. It started out on Thursday in SLC, which I have come to learn that even though I grew up nearby, I know little about anymore. I met V and Roux in SLC, and had a great day. We did some shopping, and after many attempts, V helped me spend some money....sweet! We went to a children's museum where Roux took over running from place to place. He seemed to like the stairs the best. He is so funny! We went out by the water and played as close as we could get to the water before his mom ruined our fun and wouldn't let us get wet (well, not completely true, she was ok with me getting wet but not Roux). Played in the steam a bit then to the next event. We started out on 21st South for breakfast and kept finding our way back there....lot's. Pretty funny! Played at the park, my favorite, and chased geese, some ducks, and a couple of ugly ducklings. Nice to see V and Roux laugh, it is one of my favorites! Met her brother and his girlfriend at one of my favorite places to eat. At the end of the day, V squeeled her tires she was so excited to get back to Roosevelt. I think Roux has wiplash from the speed she took off with, but she claims she loves it there and never wants to move. I think her exact words were.."give me a guy with a mullet, a truck with a deer in the back, no place to shop and you will see one happy girl."

The next day was sad as I went to see my grandfather who had a stroke. He was not doing well at all, and it seemed we were going to lose him. He is 96, and even though I would miss him, I hoped he would go and be with the love of his life. My grandma developed dementia about 20 years ago and didn't recognize anyone, including grandpa. She died about 5 years ago, and grandpa would never let anyone care for her but him. Now it has been a total of 20 years since he held the love of his life in his arms and had her recognize him. I think he deserves the chance to move on. I don't do well with death, so it is all quite the emotional spectrum for me. I took my father, aunts and uncles to lunch at a Brazilian place, very good. My aunt has Parkinson's so she could not eat any meat because of her medication, so I took her share. My children had things they wanted to do with friends this night, so I went and bought some books to read, even a book on art. Those that know me, get your pulse started again, I did say art. Never too late to expand your outlook on life, and art is something I think I missed out on. I studied some art history in college and remember a few artists, but I am going to learn more...sweet!

Saturday was BYU football day. I am not your typical mormon in the stands. I like to make a few waves in the stadium just to keep it all interesting. Someone once told me if you don't make waves then no one will know you are alive. After getting people to stop making their home teaching visits and take this game serious (in a funny way), the game got fun. I just don't get people going to a game and having the crowd seem like a congregation at conference. Ok, off my soap box, and we won. It was the first game we didn't have 4 generations sitting in the stands for 4 years (except when I can't come). I purchased season tickets a few years back to give my father the chance to do things with his father before he passed on, and something I can do with my children when I visit in the fall. Grandpa didn't make it for obvious reasons, and everyone was wondering where grandpa charles was. He made friends with everyone. He never carried a grudge, even when wronged many times. We then went to see grandpa after the game. Ally and Ryan were with me, and he looked really bad. Didn't really recognize many, but he seemed to spot me and slightly gestured me to the bed. Yep, we both cried, but I have a soft heart so that isn't too hard to do. I did some simple tests on him and it looked evident that he had more permanent brain damage than we thought, so we thought this was it. Ryan was so confused as he has become so close to "Great Grandpa Charles." After a quiet ride home, just reflected then went to bed.

Sunday was a great day. Ty got his Patriarchal Blessing that morning. Was a good one, and he will do just fine in life but realized he is now merging into a new phase of life....good for him! We went to see grandpa again, and today he seemed to rally a bit. He kept telling us "I am going home, going home to grandma." He must know something we don't, because this is the best I have seen him of the 3 days. Ty was with us today, and he seemed a bit zoned. He is like his dad, we don't do well with death. I even got selfish and went and did some charity thing early Sat. morning in hopes God would listen to my plea that He not yank with our emotions and just take grandpa or have him rally big time, but not stay on half a breath without dignity. I know, I do weird things and have weird reasons why. We went and saw my sister who has cerebral palsy, and I am the only one in the family that can joke with her and make her laugh. She is sensitive with everyone else, but I just play with her and she laughs till she can't breath. I love it! I wish grandpa would get her and take her home to grandma with him. She has had a hard life and deserves better. I struggle a bit with those stuck in bodies that don't work, but all part of some plan...right? Then went to my parents and I cooked dinner. Want to taste a mean roast and mashed potatos and gravy....call me! Took my children home, and I have dropped them off at the airport or their mom's at least 100 or more times, but we always get a little tearful every time. I told someone close to me that the tears are more of love than sadness, and it is so true. They are the 3 greatest blessings in my life to this point. I am so lucky to have the ability to see them once a month and sometimes twice. Dad and daddy; two of my favorite words!!

Well, if anyone without A.D.D. was able to pay attention enough to get to the end of this then they did better than me!! I have pics I am going to try to post, if I still can't figure it out, then happy reading!!

WANNA HEAR SOMETHING GROSS??

First I must tell my friends and children that I am sorry they have to have this image in their head, but it is life. This is one that I have to say I am glad I have not figured out how to upload photos....

So, I go to see my first patients of the day Tuesday and it is a gay guy couple. One wanted to hug me instead of shake my hand when I came into the room. Can you say pass? They asked me in this flirtatious tone.."so who decorated your office..we love it?" I decorated it, but I lied. Safety first I always say! So I notice what I thought were hickies on one of the fellows. I go to listen to "his" lungs and heart and I notice hickies everywhere. He was wearing a thin white t-shirt and they were exposing themselves through the shirt. As I choked back my breakfast, I finished my visit and thought that is one of the strangest visits I have had. Yes, I did wipe my stethoscope down with alcohol.

It gets worse!!

My first patient of the afternoon (same day) was another one who swings from the other side of the plate (not that there is anything wrong with it for those politically correct, but not for me dude). He was sitting in the chair I usually sit in, so it forced me to sit on my couch. Well, he moved over to the couch and sat next to me and asked me in perfect lisp.."so, what do you like to do when not at work?" You would have thought my couch had a spring in it as it catapulted me over to my chair. I don't think I have talked as fast as I did then and ran. Do I have, "hey gay fella; please hit on me" written on my forehead? I checked, and I don't. I am all man and only swing from one side of the plate.

So my staff are teasing me telling me I have new dating opportunities now. People tell me I should be flattered 'cause gay guys hit on the good-looking ones. I am not flattered, I am scared. Today is Friday so I will see what happens.....always something strange. Once again, be glad I have no photos to post...........