Amazing and hard to believe! I am posting only a couple photos right now and will add more later. The pix are 1) at Trevi Fountain with. Fr. Bob and Fr. Stephen, and 2) My first authentic Italian gelato!
Monday, June 13, 2016
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Amiss, Remiss, Dismiss
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Today is the 6th tormentiversary of Ron's death. Hard to believe he's been gone that long from me, from family, from all who loved him. I am not sure of the weather that day, I think it was overcast with clouds leaking intermittent precipitation. What I am sure of is how hard I tried to redefine time so that I could hold on to him just a little longer. I wanted seconds to become like hours so that hours could become days.Over the five days he spent in the hospital, when the hope of recovery was still alive, I sang to him (I like to think with him). RJ loved Bob Marley, especially "Is This Love." I'd pull up that song on my iPod, place an ear bud in each of our ears, and sing. The lyrics include the lines, "We'll be together with a roof right over our heads; We'll share the shelter of my single bed." Those lyrics made me smile then and now. When Ron and I first met -- first fell in love -- we lived in my Grandview apartment and shared my single bed, literally a twin-sized bed, which was not a a lot of space when one of two people was 6' 3" in height! Before this calamity enveloped us, I used to tell him that he was my sunshine, my ray of light that made everything better when all else sucked. When we had to let go of hope, I sang to him in the operating room while they removed his life support and as his heart slowly stopped beating. The last song I quietly sang was "You are My Sunshine."
S.O.B.
My poison today was living as if nothing was amiss. Why? Because I was remiss -- I did not stop my day to note the hour six years ago when RJ slipped away from me. But, I am trying to grant myself grace and dismiss the guilt that assails me.
How I miss... him.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Clark E. Biddle
I don't know that I have the words to describe Clark Biddle. I can tell you that we've lost a bright light, a gentle soul, a funny man, a world-observer, a sage, a loving man, and a dear neighbor -- Sedona's buddy. My heart is heavy knowing he is no longer on this earth, but how blessed I am to have had Clark in my life.
http://bit.ly/1FYiTq0
WWII veteran gives his life to save wife
By
Betty Biddle walked through her house yesterday holding a picture of her husband, Clark.
Now and then, she kissed it.
“I don’t know if I’m going to make it without him,” she said.
No one who knew 88-year-old Clark Biddle well would be surprised to know that his final act, last Thursday, was to push his wife of 68 years out of the way of a car.
She was bruised. He died.
“Sometimes I wish I went with him,” said Mrs. Biddle, also 88, sitting in the living room of her house in Norwich Township.
“I really do.”
The couple’s son, Gary, said Mr. Biddle had been Mrs. Biddle’s primary caregiver since she fell and broke a hip two years ago. He undoubtedly acted out of instinct when he pushed her to safety before the car, backing out of a shopping center parking space, could hit her.
“It would just be natural for him,” said Gary Biddle, who lives in Hong Kong.
The Biddles’ relationship reflects a classic American story: sweethearts at West High School, Class of 1944, who put marriage on hold so he could serve in the Army during World War II.
After the war, he obtained a degree from Ohio State University and opened Biddle’s Drive-In Restaurant, a business on W. Broad Street that he ran for 25 years.
They had two children: Gary and his sister, Sally Cress, of Upper Arlington.
In the 1970s, the family moved from Lincoln Village to the larger place near Hilliard. He loved riding his mower and sharing the bounty of his vegetable garden.
“Just a very loving man in general, to his wife and to his kids and to the neighbors,” said Laura Jones, who has lived next door to the Biddles since 1999.
After Jones’ husband died six years ago, Mr. Biddle let her dog out every day when she was at work, she said. He always left two cookies and a short note for her.
Mr. Biddle had many interests: He played saxophone and clarinet in dance bands, enjoyed fishing and was an active member of the Aladdin Shrine.
“He was also a pilot,” his son said. “We had a small plane when I was a boy. He thrilled my Cub Scout mates with rides once.”
Going to the grocery store with Mr. Biddle, son-in-law Dan Cress said, was never a short trip.
“Everybody in the place would know this guy. It was just amazing how he connected with people.”
He loved to talk about his deep Columbus roots. Mr. Biddle was a descendant of Thomas Biddle, who arrived in Columbus in 1830 from Wales, established a farm on what now is the north end of Downtown and opened a lumber mill that supplied wood for the construction of the Ohio Statehouse.
The Biddles maintained a monthly ritual of getting together for lunch with old classmates from West High.
That’s where they were headed about 1:30 p.m. last Thursday when the accident happened.
Mr. Biddle had helped his wife, who uses a walker, from their car and was holding her by an arm as they crossed the parking lot of O’Charley’s restaurant in the Georgesville Square Shopping Center, she said.
When he saw the backing car, he pushed her out of the way but couldn’t avoid being struck himself. He fell and hit his head, suffering massive brain trauma.
“I will never get over turning around and seeing him on the ground,” Mrs. Biddle said.
He died on Saturday at Mount Carmel West Hospital.
Betty Biddle walked through her house yesterday holding a picture of her husband, Clark. Now and then, she kissed it.
“I don’t know if I’m going to make it without him,” she said.
No one who knew 88-year-old Clark Biddle well would be surprised to know that his final act, last Thursday, was to push his wife of 68 years out of the way of a car.
She was bruised. He died.
“Sometimes I wish I went with him,” said Mrs. Biddle, also 88, sitting in the living room of her house in Norwich Township.
“I really do.”
The couple’s son, Gary, said Mr. Biddle had been Mrs. Biddle’s primary caregiver since she fell and broke a hip two years ago. He undoubtedly acted out of instinct when he pushed her to safety before the car, backing out of a shopping center parking space, could hit her.
“It would just be natural for him,” said Gary Biddle, who lives in Hong Kong.
The Biddles’ relationship reflects a classic American story: sweethearts at West High School, Class of 1944, who put marriage on hold so he could serve in the Army during World War II.
After the war, he obtained a degree from Ohio State University and opened Biddle’s Drive-In Restaurant, a business on W. Broad Street that he ran for 25 years.
They had two children: Gary and his sister, Sally Cress, of Upper Arlington.
In the 1970s, the family moved from Lincoln Village to the larger place near Hilliard. He loved riding his mower and sharing the bounty of his vegetable garden.
“Just a very loving man in general, to his wife and to his kids and to the neighbors,” said Laura Jones, who has lived next door to the Biddles since 1999.
After Jones’ husband died six years ago, Mr. Biddle let her dog out every day when she was at work, she said. He always left two cookies and a short note for her.
Mr. Biddle had many interests: He played saxophone and clarinet in dance bands, enjoyed fishing and was an active member of the Aladdin Shrine.
“He was also a pilot,” his son said. “We had a small plane when I was a boy. He thrilled my Cub Scout mates with rides once.”
Going to the grocery store with Mr. Biddle, son-in-law Dan Cress said, was never a short trip.
“Everybody in the place would know this guy. It was just amazing how he connected with people.”
He loved to talk about his deep Columbus roots. Mr. Biddle was a descendant of Thomas Biddle, who arrived in Columbus in 1830 from Wales, established a farm on what now is the north end of Downtown and opened a lumber mill that supplied wood for the construction of the Ohio Statehouse.
The Biddles maintained a monthly ritual of getting together for lunch with old classmates from West High.
That’s where they were headed about 1:30 p.m. last Thursday when the accident happened.
Mr. Biddle had helped his wife, who uses a walker, from their car and was holding her by an arm as they crossed the parking lot of O’Charley’s restaurant in the Georgesville Square Shopping Center, she said.
When he saw the backing car, he pushed her out of the way but couldn’t avoid being struck himself. He fell and hit his head, suffering massive brain trauma.
“I will never get over turning around and seeing him on the ground,” Mrs. Biddle said.
He died on Saturday at Mount Carmel West Hospital.
Columbus police Sgt. Brooke Wilson, of the accident-investigation unit, said the driver initially was cited with a misdemeanor, but that has been dropped until there is more investigation of what happened.
As they prepare for a service on Sunday to celebrate the life of Mr. Biddle, his family and friends are still trying to process the loss.
The phone at Mrs. Biddle’s house rang frequently yesterday as people called with condolences.
Button, a small, white dog belonging to the Biddles’ daughter, wandered around confused. Mr. Biddle frequently watched Button.
“She misses her grandpa,” Mrs. Biddle said.
Out in the garage sat trays of tomato seedlings. Mr. Biddle was growing them for himself, his neighbors and anyone else who might like a few.
Button, a small, white dog belonging to the Biddles’ daughter, wandered around confused. Mr. Biddle frequently watched Button.
“She misses her grandpa,” Mrs. Biddle said.
Out in the garage sat trays of tomato seedlings. Mr. Biddle was growing them for himself, his neighbors and anyone else who might like a few.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
And That's How Life Works
Ok, I know I said "good bye," but things change -- now I'm saying "hello again." Why? Well, while I have successfully kicked the CBitch from my body, I realized this morning that the positive beyond-the-body after affects render this blog still relevant -- at least for awhile longer. A variety of factors brought me to this conclusion, two in particular: Feb. 23 marked my third year as a survivor -- HOORAY! Another was a recent invitation to share my experience at an annual cancer survivor picnic in June. I said "yes," which left me feeling humbled, a little frightened, and excited. I have to get these remarks -- my story -- right, and I believe that only can be achieved with the help of Bosomundheit.
To quote the first line of lyrics from a favorite Sound of Music song, "Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start..."
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Ta-ta(s) Bosomundheit
It is time to bid Bosomundheit farewell -- our mission to kick the CBitch's ass being well accomplished. I have considered this idea before and rejected it out of a state of emotional unreadiness. Today the timing seems to be right, the stars aligning for moving beyond what this blog was intended to achieve.
There is, however, a restlessness astir within me to keep on writing through another blog, although it's hard to say when that endeavor would get underway. Bosomunheit, though static, will remain live for now, serving as a notification board of when my new writing venture begins.
I am grateful to all of you who have not only followed me on this journey via my blog, but have supported me through prayer, friendship, laughter, and love. To all of you from Bosomundheit:
There is, however, a restlessness astir within me to keep on writing through another blog, although it's hard to say when that endeavor would get underway. Bosomunheit, though static, will remain live for now, serving as a notification board of when my new writing venture begins.
I am grateful to all of you who have not only followed me on this journey via my blog, but have supported me through prayer, friendship, laughter, and love. To all of you from Bosomundheit:
Friday, November 14, 2014
Through Our Eyes
I am at the Spielman Center today for another six-month check up with my oncologist, Dr. Lustberg. The parking lot is at capacity this afternoon, which is bad and good. It means too many women are going through treatment, but it also means they are receiving treatment at a state-of-the-art facility from a dedicated staff and world-class doctors. I am humbled to have had that advantage.
On these check-up days, I always arrive wearing my coat of invincibility, the one that helps me believe that I am cured of cancer. It is a cloak I wish to wrap around every woman I see in the waiting area so that they too can again experience a life free of the CBitch. I am not naive. I know not all battles are won, some warriors are lost. For me, that's where the gift of faith, my belief in Christ's promise, makes all the difference. Note I said makes a difference, and is the difference, which isn't the same as saying the trial is any less.
My visit with the doc is more than 30 minutes behind schedule. Not complaining because I know she gives every woman she cares for 100 percent and more.
Pics o' the Day
On these check-up days, I always arrive wearing my coat of invincibility, the one that helps me believe that I am cured of cancer. It is a cloak I wish to wrap around every woman I see in the waiting area so that they too can again experience a life free of the CBitch. I am not naive. I know not all battles are won, some warriors are lost. For me, that's where the gift of faith, my belief in Christ's promise, makes all the difference. Note I said makes a difference, and is the difference, which isn't the same as saying the trial is any less.
My visit with the doc is more than 30 minutes behind schedule. Not complaining because I know she gives every woman she cares for 100 percent and more.
Pics o' the Day
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| Veteran's Day sunset. |
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| Froggie Friday! |
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Lost in Thought
A relentless reflective mood has stalked me the last few days. I'll be in the middle of a project and, WHAM, my thoughts go skittering forward then backward and finally in circles. I'm guessing that what has me stirred up is the new job, six month check-ups, approaching holidays, my mom, my dad.
That's really all I have to say. Pretty sketchy for my first post in more than 30 days. Nevertheless, the thought-bug was buzzing round in my head and it had to be let out somewhere. I'll do my best to come up with something more substantial for my next post.
"I shall not die but live and declare the deeds of the Lord." -- Ps 117:17
That's really all I have to say. Pretty sketchy for my first post in more than 30 days. Nevertheless, the thought-bug was buzzing round in my head and it had to be let out somewhere. I'll do my best to come up with something more substantial for my next post.
"I shall not die but live and declare the deeds of the Lord." -- Ps 117:17
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| Leave-me-nots |
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| Authentic cranberry bog growing at the Governor's Residence & Heritage Garden. |
Pics o' the Day
Friday, October 24, 2014
Xtreme-ly Xcellent
I'm stating the obvious by saying that no matter how old we are there are still many "firsts" to be experienced -- big and small. A recent "first" for me was watching the odometer on my faithful Xterra turn more than 100,000 miles. I've never owned a vehicle -- new or used -- that achieved so many miles, let alone being the sole individual responsible for putting on those miles.
When I divide the that number by the age of the Xterra by how many years I've owned it, it comes out to approximately 16,600 miles annually. Pretty average all-in-all.
There is more to this, of course, than the "turning over" of the odometer. I bought the Xterra one month after losing Ron, so this mileage observation has me looking back at where that truck has taken me, physically and emotionally.
Fort Myers Beach -- three times (one of which included pulling a camper to-and-fro)
Multiple Ohio State Park camp outs
Countless nighttime ramblings with Sedona, up, down, and around central Ohio roads in the wee hours, driving out grief, working through the challenges of the CBitch, and figuring out how to navigate other general life challenges
Through breast cancer diagnosis and 30 days of radiation
When I divide the that number by the age of the Xterra by how many years I've owned it, it comes out to approximately 16,600 miles annually. Pretty average all-in-all.
There is more to this, of course, than the "turning over" of the odometer. I bought the Xterra one month after losing Ron, so this mileage observation has me looking back at where that truck has taken me, physically and emotionally.
Fort Myers Beach -- three times (one of which included pulling a camper to-and-fro)
Multiple Ohio State Park camp outs
Countless nighttime ramblings with Sedona, up, down, and around central Ohio roads in the wee hours, driving out grief, working through the challenges of the CBitch, and figuring out how to navigate other general life challenges
Through breast cancer diagnosis and 30 days of radiation
To my most favorite, special spot in Ross County -- Holcomb's hill
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Golden Memories On A Silver Anniversary
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| RJ's childhood friend, Keith Mills and his wife Linda with us on our big day, Sep. 30, 1989 |
Yes, I so very much miss my RJ and wish he was here beside me today. The fact that he is not cuts my heart deeper than I will ever be able to acknowledge. Still, God gave us 20 love-filled years together and I can't argue that gift.
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| My dad and mom with us on another big day: renewal of our wedding vows, on Culebra Is., March 19, 2009 |
Monday, September 29, 2014
Today Is About Joy
A few posts-ago, I hinted that change was afoot for me; it has now come to pass. On September 29, I started as Chief of Staff for the Buckeye State's First Lady. It was an unexpected offer, a once-in-a-career opportunity, and one in which the only answer was "yes!" I am blessed that both my professional and personal life experiences have prepared me to take on this new and exciting role. I will for sure miss my colleagues and friends at JO, but fortunately, we will continue to work in close proximity to each other.
Life is an ever-twisting path, upon it we find days of joy and days of sorrow. I am thankful to have the good Lord holding my hand along the way!:)
"I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed." -- Acts 2:25
Life is an ever-twisting path, upon it we find days of joy and days of sorrow. I am thankful to have the good Lord holding my hand along the way!:)
"I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed." -- Acts 2:25
Pic o' the Day
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| My first First Lady event; celebrating the graduates of CATCH (Changing Actions To Change Habits) Court. Click on the link above to learn how this amazing program is helping to support victims of human trafficking. |
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