The World of Grandpa Don
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Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works
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What's New In the world of Grandpa Don |
Week Ending Friday |
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Go to the Current Event for ..
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Or to learn more of Grandpa Don and his remarkable family ...
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Last Friday afternoon I sent the third of a series of emails to the account executive of the company that is handling the disbursement of the funds in the escrow account associated with my former mortgage. They had sent a check payable to Cook County to cover the amount set aside for the second installment of my 2009 property tax. The problem is that the bill from the county will not be received for several months and the check will have expired by then. Besides, we do not know exactly how much the taxes will be. The check is payable to the County. They also were supposed to pay my home owner's insurance but I didn't know if they had done it. In addition, they sent a check to me for the remaining amount in the escrow account except it was payable to me and a bank that I have not had any dealings with in years and is now owned by another bank. My fear was that these people were totally incompetent. This time my email explained the problems in detail and I suggested what should be done. A half hour after the email was sent a nice young lady called. I should void the checks they sent. When my tax bill arrives, I am to pay it and send them a copy of the bill and my check and they will deposit the amount they had set aside into my bank account. Sorry, they could not just send the money now because it was written into my new agreement that they should keep the money until the taxes were due. I agreed that this was the best way to handle the situation. She also said that she had just deposited the amount of the other check directly into my checking account. Great! She also said that this years home owner's insurance had been paid. During our conversation Kara said that Cook County Illinois was the worse county in the nation to deal with. She knows that they will not accept payment from a third party unless it has the payment coupon from the tax bill with it. I can believe that. In any case, my fears were allayed and everything has been resolved. The key is staying calm, knowing that no matter what happens everything will work out. By this September, there will be no escrow account and I will pay my taxes and insurance when they are due.
On to something a lot more pleasant ...
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Caitlin at left Kelsey at right |
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 Clara Packard, my grandmother |
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| Ana at
left Kelly at right |
While working on a new page for the Family Genealogy section of this web site I came across a photo of my grandmother, Clara Florence Packard. My mind went to my granddaughter, Caitlin Fiona Plefka and her prom photo. I do not believe in reincarnation ... but ??? And ... check out the initials of their first and middle names! But of course we must compare another granddaughter, Kelsey Plefka, also a prom photo and graduate of this year, just as beautiful but not an exact match. (I think) We then include our other two granddaughters, Ana and Kelly for good measure. One member of the family thinks that Ana is more like Clara. Family resemblances are always subjective. The only thing that really counts is that here I am, surrounded by all this exquisite beauty. But hay! My grandsons aren't exactly chopped liver either.
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Saturday afternoon I attended the 4:30 Mass. Our Teen group was about to go on a mission trip to Appalachia and my granddaughter Ana would be going with them. My son and his family have long been friends of our Youth Director and although they do not belong to our parish, Ana is joining them. The fact is that you need not be a member of the parish or even Catholic to be a member of TNT (Teens Need Togetherness). This was their "send-off Mass" and they received a special blessing. The group would be on their way at 6 AM Sunday morning. Sarah, Dominick and Bella also were there. After Mass, we gathered at Gotto's for a "send-off" meal. Bella, with her perfect dinner manners and friendly smiles was the attraction of the evening for nearby diners and the wait staff. She easily stole the show.
It was a leisurely Sunday morning ... great for Father's Day. Tom, Diane, Caitlin and Kelly picked me up and we went to a very crowded Ashford House for brunch. We were soon seated and enjoyed a delightful breakfast. All the ladies had afternoon activities scheduled. Back home there was more quiet time on this delightful day. Later, Anne Marie and Dom arrived bearing food and refreshments. Soon others filtered in. Dan, Karen and Kelsey arrived. They had dropped off food earlier on their way to the Buchler's. Dom, Sarah and Bella arrived. Tom returned. Then one by one, Joe, Anthony and Nick filled out the group. Mark was working all day. Every one brought plants for Grandpa's garden. This has become a Father's Day tradition. I had forbidden gifts from grandchildren but Dominick and Sarah had a surplus of Hostas and brought some for me and my daughter. But they also brought a stepping stone that they made using Bella's hand prints. It was inscribed, "Grandpa's Garden Angel". Beautiful! The food was great and it was a glorious evening. I am so blessed to be the father of such a wonderful group of children, grandchildren and great grandchild.
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Dom & his granddaughter, Bella | Dominick & his daughter |
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Dan with Kelsey & Nick |
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Dominick with brothers Anthony & Joe | |
| Tom with his dad (Me) |
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Sorry, No mothers got into the pictures. It was Father's Day! | ||
Monday morning was especially delightful with all the new hanging plants and potted plants to beautify the patio. The new Hostas that my kids planted around the trees looked great. This is the first year that we have not planted any annuals which will make future years even more care free. There are several pots of hostas at the edge of the patio. Anne Marie will come when she gets time and some will be planted in shady areas of the garden and she will take the rest home to plant in their yard. I took some time to get some of my health information together and with a bit of trepidation went to introduce myself to my new endocrinologist. Dr Ayesha Akbar is a petite lady, very attractive, very pleasant with a Pakistani accent, but very understandable and all business. I had brought my most recent and very comprehensive blood test results from my cardiologist along with recent self administered glucose readings as well as my complete medical history and list of medications. She thanked me for being so well prepared and with all that information quickly determined that I should be taking insulin. I was given an injection pen, preloaded with a supply of insulin. I was also given samples of a new diabetes medication and instruct to stop taking four of the five medications I have been taking. Instructions were given for taking the insulin before bed time as well as a form for recording the results of twice a day glucose monitoring at specific times. I will return to her in two weeks. I left the office feeling better already. But actually, I have been feeling great, with few symptoms of the disease. But now I am mentally relieved, feeling that I am now on a better course of action with someone who knows what she is doing. Her stationary and note pads include the motto, "Adding Years to Life". I can live with that.
There was one little problem. When I returned home and looked over the new device I discovered that it was packaged without the very necessary little needles that had to be changed with every injection. I went to the nearby pharmacy and purchased a box of 100, the smallest quantity they had. Before going to bed, I injected the insulin for the first time, installing the needle and setting the dial to the recommended dosage. . As promised, it was easy and painless. The needles are very small and only penetrate about 3/8", if that. After a good night's sleep, my morning glucose reading was 135. WOW! I have not had glucose in the "normal" range (80 - 140) in a long time and never in the morning when they are typically above 250. However, two hours after breakfast mu glucose was back up to 254. I am sure that when I see Ayesha two weeks from now she will be adjusting the dosage in amount and/or frequency.
My time of prayer and coffee was extended on Tuesday. The patio was perfect with all the flowers and the air was as wonderful. I had a lot for which I needed to thank God. Maria had already started cleaning. I am grateful that I am able to afford the help for things I do not do well. Ayesha is a new angel in my life, indeed, a guardian angel. I have many, and many are needed. And to think that I once thought I could do it all alone and "my way". Boy, was I wrong! Self deception is the worse kind. Now I graciously accept al the help I can get. (But I still cling to what independence I can manage.) I am blessed!
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I have been hard at work on that new page, steeling time away from
enjoying the garden. Time was also dedicated to a little grocery
shopping. I needed dog food, milk, orange juice and a few other
essentials. There have been plenty of delicious leftovers from the week
end. In order to get correct information for the new page I had to rely
on getting questions answered by Marilyn Copeland and Peggy Cecora. I
would be lost without them. The page was to be the record of the German
Lutheran branch of the family but it brought up a lot of questions about
my mother and father. It also presented my life from a slightly
different view point. I also spent no small amount of time adding
in some of the history of the times just to make things interesting. I
invite you to visit:
Genealogy Husmann/Lossner/Plefka
The page is accessed through my "Family" page in the
About Grandpa Don section of
this web site.
Thursday at Bible study we spoke of God's "permissive control" of things. He doesn't cause bad or evil things to happen but in granting us our free will, these things must be allowed to happen. In some cases these things, not good in themselves, can be turned to good. I immediately thought of my conception and life so recently reviewed by me in putting together that new page for this web site. An indiscretion (to put it mildly) caused a great problem. But, once done, the best possible outcome was chosen by my mother and then it was up to me to make something good of it. I am working on it. Of course it was a good thing for my adopted parents. (I assume)
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Jenni Horne, a visitor from England, signed my guestbook. She said:
I found this wonderful site trawling the internet for the Packard
surname, I was born Jennifer Chatten born in Knodishall, Suffolk England
my Great Great Grandmother was Anne Packard c1839 born in
Stratford St.Andrew, Suffolk England who was a descendant from Robert
Packard 1410 born Woodbridge, Suffolk England.
Your site is a fund of information and a joy to spend time on, thank you
for sharing this.
She also asked to be notified of updates and so will be reading this. She is our newest cousin from across the pond and we welcome her to the world of Grandpa Don. You will find, if you visit our Packard page that we also claim Robert Packard as an ancestor. That is of course if we can ever pin down the parentage of Shepard Packard. (1818) Some of these parents can be a little elusive ... just ask me.
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Speaking of relatives. Thursday afternoon I received a surprise visit from Anne's Brother Harry Lawler along with my sister-in-law, Carol. They are here from Florida for their daughter Chris' wedding this weekend. We had a pleasant afternoon catching up on things. They look great and since leaving this area to live in Florida, Carol has been experiencing wonderful health. They love their Florida home.
My internet friend, "Grandpa" Frank Schober sent a link that is remarkable. Growing Old Together is not about a husband and wife ... sometimes that doesn't work out ... but about a lady and her car. It is interesting to say the least and does carry a lesson. If you are going to keep something for a long time, learn to take care of it. Hmmm ... are we talking about people or cars? Alex Kapocius sent "We didn't Start the Fire". It may bring back some memories but it also brings up a point and brings to mind my particular experience. My life was, in effect, an accident and I certainly didn't "start the fire" but once started, it became my responsibility. This is often the case in life ... we didn't cause it but now it is ours. That's just the way it is and there is no point in complaining about it. Besides, if we don't do our part, who will?
As you know (I hope) there is a link at the top of this page for a "Three Minute Retreat". I have subscribed to their email version and take about three minutes before getting into the rest of my email each morning to continue my morning visit with God with a little reflection presented by them. A recent one was, I thought, particularly good and I would like to share it.
The Paradox of Life
We live in this world and have become quite attached to it.
It seems to be home and we find comfort with our earthly toys.
We were not made for this place but a far different existence.
A world in which our spirit, not body, will find peace and Joys.
The needs of the spirit are far different from the flesh.
Indeed they are opposed and to each other unknowing.
This is the paradox of life that we find.
What seems right for us is truly our undoing.
So be careful what you seek in this mortal life.
For in seeking you may find and cherish the values of this world.
In becoming attached to worldly things,
We may deprive ourselves of the future world unfurled.
This is something that Anne and I found some years ago. The astounding thing is that as we became less attached to the things and pleasures on this world, for us, the things and pleasures multiplied. This has continued to this day. I didn't think I could survive without Anne or if I did I would have a miserable existence. But I realized that I had been highly blessed to have had Anne in my life for such a great part of it It would have been selfish and greedy of me to expect more. With my goal being much higher than anything mortality can offer I have a sublime feeling of contentment. I am blessed beyond any expectations.
Life is indeed a paradox. To get love one must give it unconditionally. To find happiness one must stop looking for it in earthly things and spread it for others. To be a success one must live each moment as if what ever you are doing is the most important thing in your life and success will seek you out and immerse you in it self..
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It has been a very busy and happy week. That was the plan and I stuck to it. I am now on a path to, I hope, somewhat improved health. If I died today, it would be OK, but I would rather believe that I can still do some good in this world. It is not my desire to accumulate more of life's goodies, indeed I have more than enough. My greatest fear is that upon my arrival at the Pearly Gates I will be told that I already had my heaven. But my fears are allayed by the knowledge that Heaven's glories are well beyond anything of earth or anything our feeble minds can imagine. That makes it easy for me to keep my sights on God and Heaven. There are a lot of souls already there that I need to speak with. I also hope to see all of you there also,... in due time. And so everyone is invited to join me in the world of Grandpa Don. Yes, I realize that it is not what many call "the real world" but that is the intent and it is something for which I am greatful. I have been so blessed to have found it.
Here in the World of Grandpa Don ....
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I am blest |
Grandpa Don
Plefka
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Anne wanted everyone to be 'Nice'.
This button was in one of
her dresser
drawers I cleaned out in August of 2004
