'December With Dad'

Update 1 | December With Dad

Dad and I have been up to some fun šŸ˜Ž  I’m taking work off during December to invest time with him, and asked in a private Facebook group about local ideas. I was surprised to get HUNDREDS of people suggesting…

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Update 2 | December With Dad

Another adventure with Dad in the books!  Julie FW, beautiful both inside and out, reached out saying her husband is a Search and Rescue Swimmer with one of the Navy helicopter squadrons. šŸ’ŖšŸ¼ 🚁  

They offered to bring us on…

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Update 3 | December With Dad

Vicki, a stranger until several weeks ago said, ā€œIf you bring him to Las Vegas, I can arrange a UFC fight.ā€

Well, my dad is currently in the most significant fight of his life, so he might as well get…

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Update 4 | December With Dad

"Optimist = Someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it's the cha-cha." ―Robert Brault

Essentially, Dad is dancing right now.  Some days are great, others not so much.

Chemo takes…

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Update 5 | December With Dad

That Christmas was different.

We lingered in the kitchen.

Exchanging looks as if to say, ā€œIt’s not the same… I know.ā€

I thought maybe Dad would be able to come downstairs that day – weak, but able.

He was weak…

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Update 6 | December With Dad

In my parent’s backyard, I fumbled trying to light the outdoor fireplace that often goes unused.

Chairs placed in a half-circle, blankets on standby.

It was the day before New Year’s Eve and I was trying to create ambiance.

I’m…

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Update 7 | December With Dad

Every summer growing up, Dad would take us to local cemeteries around the world whenever we were on vacation.

ā€œDad, this is SO creepy.ā€

He would say:
ā€œIt’s not… it’s filled with stories.ā€

He loved human-interest stories. I bet he…

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Update 8 | 1 Month After Dad

When I was a teenager, my dad used to go to bed early so he could wake up before anyone else and enjoy the quiet of the house.

My mom, Derek, and I always stayed up late after midnight.

I…

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Update 10 | Six Months After Dad

āœˆļø Currently in Nashville to complete the final bucket list trip I was supposed to share with my Dad in February.

(But January happened…)

So I’m doing this alone and DECIDED it’s going to be amazing.

Gently nudging myself to…

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Update 12 | Happy Birthday, Dad

šŸŽˆ Immediately after I wished Dad ā€˜Happy Birthday’ while sitting alone on my porch, a single leaf slowly fell to the ground from the tree across from me.  šŸ

I tried to see beauty in the symbolism.

But it doesn’t…

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Update 13 | One Year Later + ALBUM Release Day

ā€œYour heart knows the way. Run in that direction.ā€ -Rumi

At 39, I finally had something to say.

This collection of original songs is being released today on the 1 year anniversary of my Dad’s passing – Ritualizing aspects of…

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