As children, we grow up in our parent's home experiencing their traditions which are likely to be born from those they remember from their own childhood, and enhanced by touches they have added. I know when I was very young, though my folks didn't have much money, they attempted to make Christmas special for me and my older brothers. As I awoke on Christmas morning, my eyes would be dazzled by the myriad presents I'd see under the tree - and, though there were some gifts for everyone, I, as the youngest in the family, seemed to have the most.
As I grew older and realized that Santa was not behind all the wonderful gifts, I nevertheless realized what magic Christmas held for all. Living with my folks until I was a man, our tradition changed. Instead of having our Christmas present opening on Christmas morning, we would, instead, do this major event on Christmas eve.
The Christmas eve event became more than just an opening of presents for our immediate family. It became a party beginning in mid-afternoon, attended by aunts, uncles, my brothers children, cousins, second cousins, and close friends of our family. There would be food and copious amounts of alcoholic beverages consumed. My father, in particular, reveled in this newly-formed tradition, and long after all but the immediate family had departed, dad would sit in his easy chair, listening to carols, full of Seagram's 7, teary-eyed and sentimental until sleep would finally proclaim enough.
When I married and had children of my own, my bride and I would continue the tradition on Christmas morning, usually after having spent a late evening constructing whatever toys or gifts Santa was bringing to our three young children. We'd wake bleary-eyed Christmas morning when one, or more, of our children would bound breathlessly into our bedroom screaming, "Santa's been here!" Though near exhaustion from too little sleep, we'd get caught up in the excitement of our kids discovery of the array of gifts piled under, and extending in front of the tree. The absolute glee in the faces of your children somehow erases any bit of fatigue you might have.
As our children found out about Santa, the gifts continued - as did the traditions.
Then, as inevitably it must, time changes everything. The kids become adults. They move away. For the first few years they continue to come home for Christmas and things are relatively the same. They bring their new-found loved ones with them. The more the merrier, I say. However, this too changes. The children have either moved too far away, or have obligations of their own and simply cannot come home for Christmas. They are already home.
So, the tradition transitions.
In my case, my bride and I have been blessed in that our first born, our daughter, lives not too far away, with her husband, who is a tolerant soul and generously welcomes his in-laws into his home. The absolute bonus is that our daughter and son in law have also blessed us with our only Grandchild - a boy, now 5 1/2, who is the light of his Grandma's and my life.
For the last several years, we have spent Christmas with my daughter, my son in law, and this remarkable little boy. We've seen our daughter and her hubby spent hours into the night putting together toys for our grandchild much as we did for our kids. But, more importantly, we have watched him experience the magic of Christmas morning, seeing those presents that Santa brought during the middle of the night while he was sleeping. The look on his face and in his eyes, I imagine, is much the same as it was in mine on those Christmas mornings long ago when I was a boy - or in the faces of his mother - my daughter, and his two uncles - my sons, when they all ran screaming into our bedroom to tell us "Santa was here" in a time that doesn't seem that long ago.
There really is nothing quite like that look. Everyone should experience it. It does the heart, mind, and soul good. It truly captures the Christmas spirit. The good news is I suspect that someday my grandson will experience this same look on the face, and in the eyes of his own children, and grandchildren on future Christmas mornings.
And the traditions will continue to transition. That is how it should be.
Old Fart Mike
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
"....the luckiest Man...."
Lou Gehrig, famed slugger from the New York Yankees, on the recognition day held for him in 1939 after it had been determined he had ALS, said, "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this Earth." Gehrig was to die two years later.
To borrow Mr. Gehrig's statement, "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this Earth." Some may ask why? Well, today, December 22, 2009, marks the tenth anniversary of the day I died - and, obviously, was brought back to life.
I was hosting my employee Christmas party on the eventful night shortly before the upcoming worrisome Y2K. The speeches had been made. Dinner had been consumed, and it was time for some fun for all - which consisted of approximately 200 people (employees and their significant others). That meant a DJ and dancing. As was my custom, I would hang around for about 30 to 45 minutes, dance with the gang, and then sneak out the back, allowing my staff to have a good time without the boss in attendance. My bride had just left to exchange a present before the store closed and I told her I'd meet her at home in a little while.
What I remember is walking out to the dance floor with two of my female staff. My next memory is waking up in intensive cardiac care sometime the next day with my very worried-looking wife and daughter standing next to me. Neither had had much sleep. I tried to speak, but the tubes in my throat prevented me from doing so. Finally, I asked for something to write with.
What I wrote was, "What Happened?"
While I kept drifting off, my bride had to explain to me - several times that I experienced "Sudden Cardiac Death". I was to learn later that my heart went into fibrillation and stopped. Two of my employees began CPR and kept the oxygen flowing which prevented brain damage until the paramedics arrived. I also learned the paramedics had to administer 6 shocks from the defibrillator paddles to start my heart and stabilize me.
I won't go into all the details of the story here but I spent the next 9 days in the hospital. I received an implanted cardiac defibrillator/pacemaker in my chest during the duration of my visit.
Attempting to return to work was a mistake. The long grueling hours and associated pressure were too much, and my doctors determined that I needed to stop working. I knew this in my heart, but it took my personal care physician - who happened to be a friend - to look me in the eye and ask me what he should tell my wife and kids when I did, in fact, die for good.
Most would say I was given a terrible situation with this malady. A bum ticker. Can't work. Never know when I could croak. But you know what? In many ways it was the best thing that could have happened to me. There is no doubt in my mind that continuing to work would have killed me. Having a type A personality can be a curse. It took a forced "retirement" for me to truly understand that I was driven. Don't know why, but I know that I was. Had I kept working, I would have worked myself to death.
The time I've had these last ten years has allowed me to stop and smell the roses a bit too. I am kinder, gentler. Ask my bride. And I know how blessed I am. I know God was behind all this, and I am thankful to Him.
The experiences I have been able to enjoy because of Him allowing me to stick around these extra years are way too numerous to list all of them, but there are a few highlights I have to mention some:
* So far I've been able to celebrate 10 more wedding anniversaries with the love of my life, my bride of 38+ years.
* I was able to spend one last Mother's Day with my mom, who passed away a few short months later.
* I was able to walk my beautiful daughter down the aisle at her marriage to a wonderful young man whom my wife and I adore.
* I attended the high school graduation of my youngest son - and attended the college graduation of BOTH my sons.
* I was there for the birth of my Grandson, child of my daughter. And have spent countless times with this remarkable boy.
* I've watched all three of my children grow into remarkable, successful adults - all with wonderful significant others.
* I've met new friends and strengthened ties and bonds with old friends.
* I've apologized to people I should have - which has, in turn, strengthened me.
* I've learned that I should tell people I love them more often - and I try to do that.
* I know my family loves me.
* I attended the 50th anniversary of my hero, and brother John and his incredible wife, Joanne.
Yes, I am the Luckiest.
To borrow Mr. Gehrig's statement, "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this Earth." Some may ask why? Well, today, December 22, 2009, marks the tenth anniversary of the day I died - and, obviously, was brought back to life.
I was hosting my employee Christmas party on the eventful night shortly before the upcoming worrisome Y2K. The speeches had been made. Dinner had been consumed, and it was time for some fun for all - which consisted of approximately 200 people (employees and their significant others). That meant a DJ and dancing. As was my custom, I would hang around for about 30 to 45 minutes, dance with the gang, and then sneak out the back, allowing my staff to have a good time without the boss in attendance. My bride had just left to exchange a present before the store closed and I told her I'd meet her at home in a little while.
What I remember is walking out to the dance floor with two of my female staff. My next memory is waking up in intensive cardiac care sometime the next day with my very worried-looking wife and daughter standing next to me. Neither had had much sleep. I tried to speak, but the tubes in my throat prevented me from doing so. Finally, I asked for something to write with.
What I wrote was, "What Happened?"
While I kept drifting off, my bride had to explain to me - several times that I experienced "Sudden Cardiac Death". I was to learn later that my heart went into fibrillation and stopped. Two of my employees began CPR and kept the oxygen flowing which prevented brain damage until the paramedics arrived. I also learned the paramedics had to administer 6 shocks from the defibrillator paddles to start my heart and stabilize me.
I won't go into all the details of the story here but I spent the next 9 days in the hospital. I received an implanted cardiac defibrillator/pacemaker in my chest during the duration of my visit.
Attempting to return to work was a mistake. The long grueling hours and associated pressure were too much, and my doctors determined that I needed to stop working. I knew this in my heart, but it took my personal care physician - who happened to be a friend - to look me in the eye and ask me what he should tell my wife and kids when I did, in fact, die for good.
Most would say I was given a terrible situation with this malady. A bum ticker. Can't work. Never know when I could croak. But you know what? In many ways it was the best thing that could have happened to me. There is no doubt in my mind that continuing to work would have killed me. Having a type A personality can be a curse. It took a forced "retirement" for me to truly understand that I was driven. Don't know why, but I know that I was. Had I kept working, I would have worked myself to death.
The time I've had these last ten years has allowed me to stop and smell the roses a bit too. I am kinder, gentler. Ask my bride. And I know how blessed I am. I know God was behind all this, and I am thankful to Him.
The experiences I have been able to enjoy because of Him allowing me to stick around these extra years are way too numerous to list all of them, but there are a few highlights I have to mention some:
* So far I've been able to celebrate 10 more wedding anniversaries with the love of my life, my bride of 38+ years.
* I was able to spend one last Mother's Day with my mom, who passed away a few short months later.
* I was able to walk my beautiful daughter down the aisle at her marriage to a wonderful young man whom my wife and I adore.
* I attended the high school graduation of my youngest son - and attended the college graduation of BOTH my sons.
* I was there for the birth of my Grandson, child of my daughter. And have spent countless times with this remarkable boy.
* I've watched all three of my children grow into remarkable, successful adults - all with wonderful significant others.
* I've met new friends and strengthened ties and bonds with old friends.
* I've apologized to people I should have - which has, in turn, strengthened me.
* I've learned that I should tell people I love them more often - and I try to do that.
* I know my family loves me.
* I attended the 50th anniversary of my hero, and brother John and his incredible wife, Joanne.
Yes, I am the Luckiest.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
30 years
Today marks 30 years since my father died. He was 69 years old at the time of his death, having suffered a final fatal heart attack right at home, in his own bed, exactly where he said he wanted to die.
I, the youngest of his three sons, was living in Denver with my bride and, at the time, two children - both young. I had been out, making sales calls, and when I returned to my office in downtown Denver, my secretary had an odd look on her face. As I peered into my office, I saw my bride, wrapping up a telephone call. This was strange for 2 O'clock in the afternoon, so I approached her, and she shut the door behind me. Then, after ensuring I sat down first, she sprung the bad news on me.
Knowing I would be a mess, she had already arranged my flight to California for later that day. She would join me the next day - after she had arranged for someone to watch the kids. I don't remember much about the next few hours, except thinking to myself I was thankful I had done what my dad had asked for the last few months.
He had almost begged me to come visit, bringing my wife and children. We had a new child, a baby boy, only six months old, plus his one and only granddaughter, who was four. My father, who had heart problems for years, was simply too sick to travel. I had resisted visiting because, frankly, we were broke, and I had just begun a new job.
Fortunately, I threw logic and reason to the wind, and, instead relied on gut. Something inside told me to make the trip, and bring everyone, even though we couldn't afford it. So, some 12 days before his death, we visited. He was incredibly thankful, as was my mom. They both absolutely relished their time with my daughter and 6 month old baby boy, holding and playing with them every opportunity they could during the three day visit we had with them.
When the kids took naps, I spent time with my parents, and my dad looked into my eyes and told me that he probably wouldn't make it until Christmas. My response was typical of an offspring that doesn't want to face the truth, "Dad, you're being morbid, you're gonna be around a long time." He looked at me with his sad, rheumy eyes, gave that crooked smile he had always had, and said, "I don't know, but I'm sure glad you came."
AS the final day of our visit arrived, the kids gave their grandma and grandpa their hugs and kisses, and both my parents eyes welled up with tears. My bride, of course, also gave kisses and hugs, and then strapped the kids in the car. As she was doing this, I gave my mom a long hug and kiss, and turned to my dad. He was visibly crying by now. That, of course, made my eyes begin to leak too. When I kissed, and hugged him, he held me for the longest time, telling me he loved me. I repeated the same words to him. They would be the last words I would say to my father. I feel astoundingly blessed that they were.
As many children experience in their lifetimes, relationships with their parents are filled with ups and downs. There are good times and bad. There were times when I hated my dad. But, most of the time, I loved him deeply. He was an incredibly complicated man. Much like I am, I suppose.
Seeing him lying in the casket was an awful sight. I remembered the strongest man I had ever seen. But now, he was just lying there. Dead. Strength gone. Him gone. I cried so hard I was inconsolable. And, it took me a full six months to get over his death.
There are still times today, 30 years later, when I think of him and some of the things he used to say, the jokes he used to crack, or his absolute love of his family, and wish I could talk to him. About things I never did as a man. Because I was too proud to do so, making my way as a man of my own. It's easier when you're a kid to ask your dad questions. But when you're a grown-up, you've got something to prove. To your family. Your wife. Your own kids. Him. It's not until you're older that it finally registers.
Dad, I miss you. I Love you. I wish I would've been smarter about talking to you when I was a grown-up.
Mike
I, the youngest of his three sons, was living in Denver with my bride and, at the time, two children - both young. I had been out, making sales calls, and when I returned to my office in downtown Denver, my secretary had an odd look on her face. As I peered into my office, I saw my bride, wrapping up a telephone call. This was strange for 2 O'clock in the afternoon, so I approached her, and she shut the door behind me. Then, after ensuring I sat down first, she sprung the bad news on me.
Knowing I would be a mess, she had already arranged my flight to California for later that day. She would join me the next day - after she had arranged for someone to watch the kids. I don't remember much about the next few hours, except thinking to myself I was thankful I had done what my dad had asked for the last few months.
He had almost begged me to come visit, bringing my wife and children. We had a new child, a baby boy, only six months old, plus his one and only granddaughter, who was four. My father, who had heart problems for years, was simply too sick to travel. I had resisted visiting because, frankly, we were broke, and I had just begun a new job.
Fortunately, I threw logic and reason to the wind, and, instead relied on gut. Something inside told me to make the trip, and bring everyone, even though we couldn't afford it. So, some 12 days before his death, we visited. He was incredibly thankful, as was my mom. They both absolutely relished their time with my daughter and 6 month old baby boy, holding and playing with them every opportunity they could during the three day visit we had with them.
When the kids took naps, I spent time with my parents, and my dad looked into my eyes and told me that he probably wouldn't make it until Christmas. My response was typical of an offspring that doesn't want to face the truth, "Dad, you're being morbid, you're gonna be around a long time." He looked at me with his sad, rheumy eyes, gave that crooked smile he had always had, and said, "I don't know, but I'm sure glad you came."
AS the final day of our visit arrived, the kids gave their grandma and grandpa their hugs and kisses, and both my parents eyes welled up with tears. My bride, of course, also gave kisses and hugs, and then strapped the kids in the car. As she was doing this, I gave my mom a long hug and kiss, and turned to my dad. He was visibly crying by now. That, of course, made my eyes begin to leak too. When I kissed, and hugged him, he held me for the longest time, telling me he loved me. I repeated the same words to him. They would be the last words I would say to my father. I feel astoundingly blessed that they were.
As many children experience in their lifetimes, relationships with their parents are filled with ups and downs. There are good times and bad. There were times when I hated my dad. But, most of the time, I loved him deeply. He was an incredibly complicated man. Much like I am, I suppose.
Seeing him lying in the casket was an awful sight. I remembered the strongest man I had ever seen. But now, he was just lying there. Dead. Strength gone. Him gone. I cried so hard I was inconsolable. And, it took me a full six months to get over his death.
There are still times today, 30 years later, when I think of him and some of the things he used to say, the jokes he used to crack, or his absolute love of his family, and wish I could talk to him. About things I never did as a man. Because I was too proud to do so, making my way as a man of my own. It's easier when you're a kid to ask your dad questions. But when you're a grown-up, you've got something to prove. To your family. Your wife. Your own kids. Him. It's not until you're older that it finally registers.
Dad, I miss you. I Love you. I wish I would've been smarter about talking to you when I was a grown-up.
Mike
Saturday, December 12, 2009
No more Joe DiMaggios
With the continuing story of Tiger Woods' infidelities still emerging, I find myself a bit sad that yet another sports hero has disappointed so many. When I was a kid, stories of sports heroes going astray did not ever reach me - or, perhaps, I was just oblivious.
But that was back in the innocent 1950's and early '60's, long before Ted Turner pioneered our 24/7 news cycle, before Watergate, steroids, or recreational drugs made it into the mainstream of American culture.
As a child, my heroes were people like Duke Snider, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale - baseball players for the newly relocated Los Angeles Dodgers. I can't remember any transgressions of theirs back in the day. Some ballplayers did, however, like to imbibe in a few drinks occasionally. In fact, most major league games were sponsored in part by one or another Beer company, who also provided plenty of their product in the clubhouse after the game.
When these players left the clubhouse, they were at times, already, as we used to say, "Three sheets to the wind". However, as far as the world knew, this was the worst of their transgressions, and, for the most part, was viewed as harmless fun by the general public and the media they sometimes drank with.
As time rolled on and the media began to report mistakes made by so-called sports stars, very few "Super Stars" have remained clear of problems in their personal lives. Tiger Woods, who may be the best-ever golfer, appeared to be squeaky clean, above reproach, until the last few days. And that was good. For the game of golf. For sports in general. And, more importantly for children everywhere.
Though identifying a personal hero in sports is always dangerous, it is something that most kids do. Tiger let down his beautiful wife of some five years, his two children, his thousands of fans, and children throughout the world that looked up to him.
As Simon & Garfunkle said in song, "Where have you gone, Joe Dimaggio, A nation turns its lonely eyes to you, What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson, Joltin' Joe has left and gone away."
Unfortunately, there are no more Joe DiMaggios, and that is a pity.
Old Fart Mike
But that was back in the innocent 1950's and early '60's, long before Ted Turner pioneered our 24/7 news cycle, before Watergate, steroids, or recreational drugs made it into the mainstream of American culture.
As a child, my heroes were people like Duke Snider, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale - baseball players for the newly relocated Los Angeles Dodgers. I can't remember any transgressions of theirs back in the day. Some ballplayers did, however, like to imbibe in a few drinks occasionally. In fact, most major league games were sponsored in part by one or another Beer company, who also provided plenty of their product in the clubhouse after the game.
When these players left the clubhouse, they were at times, already, as we used to say, "Three sheets to the wind". However, as far as the world knew, this was the worst of their transgressions, and, for the most part, was viewed as harmless fun by the general public and the media they sometimes drank with.
As time rolled on and the media began to report mistakes made by so-called sports stars, very few "Super Stars" have remained clear of problems in their personal lives. Tiger Woods, who may be the best-ever golfer, appeared to be squeaky clean, above reproach, until the last few days. And that was good. For the game of golf. For sports in general. And, more importantly for children everywhere.
Though identifying a personal hero in sports is always dangerous, it is something that most kids do. Tiger let down his beautiful wife of some five years, his two children, his thousands of fans, and children throughout the world that looked up to him.
As Simon & Garfunkle said in song, "Where have you gone, Joe Dimaggio, A nation turns its lonely eyes to you, What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson, Joltin' Joe has left and gone away."
Unfortunately, there are no more Joe DiMaggios, and that is a pity.
Old Fart Mike
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Birthday Girl
Today is my daughter's birthday. Sometimes it is difficult to believe how many years have gone by since my bride rushed into my office, shut the door, and told me, "We're pregnant!" My wife of nearly 3 years was so excited, she received a speeding ticket on the drive over to tell me the magnificent news. I got up from behind my desk, went to my bride, hugged and kissed her, told her how much I loved her, and how thrilled I was.
That was the beginning of my new love affair. Unlike most contemporary parents in those days, we didn't want to know the gender of our new baby, preferring to be surprised when the newborn made it's arrival. So, as the nine months achingly dragged by, we thought up names for both boys and girls.
After a false start by one day, caused by phantom contractions, we arrived at the hospital on December 8th, 1974, both sleep-deprived and excited beyond belief. After a few hours of employing our well-practiced La Maze class breathing techniques, the doctor interrupted this by advising us, saying, "She (My beautiful bride) is simply too tired, we're going to give her some help." At that point, I was escorted out of the birthing room, left to my own fears, and quickly began to chain-smoke cigarettes.
It seemed like hours later, though really less than 30 minutes, when a nurse advised me that I was a father. She directed me to an area where I would be able to see my first child, and, again, I patiently waited for my baby's arrival. Soon, the nurse appeared holding this impossibly small human, swaddled in a blanket, eyes shut, with a cap on it's head. All I could see was it's tiny facial features. I know I finally shouted to her through the glass, "What is it?", probably too loud. The nurse peeled back the blanket, showing me my lovely infant daughter. I melted into tears at that moment.
A few minutes later, I was allowed back to spend some time with my bride. The love of my life, who had produced this wonderful addition to our lives. She was exhausted and still reeling from the drugs that had been administered to her. Of course, I held her again, told her how beautiful our daughter was, how much I loved her, and she fell quietly asleep.
It was then that a nurse came into the room with this incredible little girl, asking if we'd like to spend some time with her. As my wife was mostly knocked out, I had the extreme pleasure of holding her first. It is something I will never, ever forget. As I looked her over once again, I remember Thanking God for His gift to us and silently promising Him, my bride, and my little girl, that I would do my best to take care of her.
When I left the hospital a few hours later, I first stopped at church to again Thank Him. I know the priest who happened by must have thought something must be terribly wrong as I was again crying. The emotions just came forth as I thanked God for His wonderfulness in giving us this beautiful little angel and for allowing my beautiful bride to come through the ordeal of childbirth unscathed.
The years, of course, went by. As a toddler, she was incredibly cute. People would often stop us and tell us how precious she was. Like we didn't know it. Only one time I can remember that I actually got mad at her during the toddler years. We, my daughter and I, were going somewhere, and I stopped to get gas. I got out of the car to pump the gas and left the keys in the car. Big mistake. She pushed down the lock. So I was completely locked out of the car. In Denver. In the winter. As I implored her to open the lock, she kept smiling at me and waving, thinking we were playing. Of course, daddy - freezing And thinking this is NOT so cute - is trying to coax his angel to open the lock. It took probably 15 minutes or so before she finally did.
As a young girl, I have too many memories of her to state here, but she was ALWAYS a joy to her mom and I. One memory that jumps to mind was when we took her to a restaurant. She was so social. She simply would not finish her food, and as it was a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, her mom and I de4cided to wait her out until she ate all of the food on her plate, thinking that this is one of the things as parents we must teach her to do. We did, in fact teach her this lesson. FOUR hours later.
I remember taking her to the first Father/daughter dance. I felt so privileged to do so. And to her first rock concert. Huey Lewis and the News. We came out of that with our ears ringing and laughing about it. In later years, for my birthday, she and her fiance (now husband) took me to see The Rolling Stones - one of my favorite groups.
My daughter was an incredible swimmer in high school. My wife and I attempted to make it to every swim meet there was. She qualified for, and placed in, State finals in both Texas and Oklahoma. And, at the swim team banquet after her junior year in Houston, she was elected captain of the women's team. I danced with her at that banquet knowing I had to give her some bad news, but I couldn't tell her then. I couldn't ruin her moment. We were moving. Before her senior year in high school.
It was awful. For a time, we thought we'd have to leave our beautiful daughter behind in Texas when we moved to Oklahoma. Frankly, we finally prepared for this, contacting parents of one of her best friends from high school, and arranging for her to live the year with them. We were all heartbroken about this.
Then, our little girl reached the final stages of womanhood. She announced to us that her place was with us. She would be moving to Oklahoma with us. The relief our family felt - her brothers too - was immense. Though the first few weeks of her high school career were a bit rocky, she eventually thrived, and did extremely well. Her GPA flourished. She did well on the swim team. She met a boy.
Soon it was time to check out colleges, and she selected the University of Oklahoma. Because our girl was so smart, she was able to test out of some classes and enter as a second semester Freshman. Just like her, if you were to ask her parents. Always a step ahead of the rest of her contemporaries. ALWAYS making her parents proud. She decided to go into the Greek system - and had a perfect rush - getting chosen by the sorority she wanted from the beginning, and one of the top ones on Campus.
As 4 years of college flew by, she was, of course, on top of her game, excelling in virtually everything. Just as we knew she would. Going to her college graduation was such a thrill for my bride and I, as neither of us had experienced the thrill personally. But, our girl did! That day we also met the man she would later marry.
As her career began and flourished, our pride in our daughter continued. She achieved more than we ever could have expected that morning in Florida when we first laid eyes on her. We also watched her fall in love with a wonderful young man, whom we also grew to love. When he called me and asked me if I could spend some time with him as he wanted to talk to me, I thrust my arm into the air, thinking "YES!!!" We knew he was "The one" almost from the time we first saw him.
Seeing my little girl moments before walking her down the aisle, dressed so beautifully in her wedding gown, was similar to the scene in "Father of the Bride" where Steve Martin looks at his daughter at the dinner table as she is announcing her intent to wed, and he flashes back on all the memorable times of his daughter and he. I, of course, being the sentimental old Irishman that I am, teared up and almost lost it.
Going forward a few years, we were visiting my princess and her husband, and as only she could do, she said she had a present for us. She handed a wrapped gift to my wife, who opened it at my urging. As my wife screamed, ran to my angel, embraced her, kissed her, I, of course sat there clueless as a typical sit-com father. After a few seconds, my wife handed me the present. It was a simple picture frame, around the edges "I love Grandpa and Grandma", inserted inside the frame, "picture coming, May 4th". Obviously, I jumped up, held my daughter, my wife, my son in law, and, of course, started crying again.
Flash forward almost 9 months. Phone rings. "Dad, the doctor is gonna induce labor. Do you think you & mom can come down today?" If this hadn't been my Poopsie, I would have answered with something sarcastic,like, "Uh, Gee, I don't know, there's a movie on TV I was thinking of maybe watching." Instead, I said, "Let me call mom, we'll be there as soon as possible." We made the 2 hour drive in less than an hour and 15 minutes. This was MY DAUGHTER. About to give birth.
So, then, our first Grandchild. Jacob. God, we love that boy. HE is, like his mother, beautiful. Smart. Personality plus. Just an incredible kid. He is 5 1/2 now. And HIS mother, my daughter, is an incredible mother. No real surprise there. She has been incredible in everything she has ever done. Her husband is pretty incredible too, spending time with their son teaching him in some ways I never thought of. I guess it's just another way she proved herself. She chose the right guy.
Forest Gump probably said it best, "Momma used to say, 'Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get'".
In our case, when we opened our box of chocolates, we were lucky enough to get the best, the sweetest. Our daughter.
So, to my daughter - Happy Birthday! You will ALWAYS be my little girl - even though you've grown up to be the strongest, most self assured, independent woman we know. You are kind, yet firm. A gentle, loving mother. A beautiful woman - inside and out.
I am so proud of you - and I love you more than you'll ever know.
Dad
That was the beginning of my new love affair. Unlike most contemporary parents in those days, we didn't want to know the gender of our new baby, preferring to be surprised when the newborn made it's arrival. So, as the nine months achingly dragged by, we thought up names for both boys and girls.
After a false start by one day, caused by phantom contractions, we arrived at the hospital on December 8th, 1974, both sleep-deprived and excited beyond belief. After a few hours of employing our well-practiced La Maze class breathing techniques, the doctor interrupted this by advising us, saying, "She (My beautiful bride) is simply too tired, we're going to give her some help." At that point, I was escorted out of the birthing room, left to my own fears, and quickly began to chain-smoke cigarettes.
It seemed like hours later, though really less than 30 minutes, when a nurse advised me that I was a father. She directed me to an area where I would be able to see my first child, and, again, I patiently waited for my baby's arrival. Soon, the nurse appeared holding this impossibly small human, swaddled in a blanket, eyes shut, with a cap on it's head. All I could see was it's tiny facial features. I know I finally shouted to her through the glass, "What is it?", probably too loud. The nurse peeled back the blanket, showing me my lovely infant daughter. I melted into tears at that moment.
A few minutes later, I was allowed back to spend some time with my bride. The love of my life, who had produced this wonderful addition to our lives. She was exhausted and still reeling from the drugs that had been administered to her. Of course, I held her again, told her how beautiful our daughter was, how much I loved her, and she fell quietly asleep.
It was then that a nurse came into the room with this incredible little girl, asking if we'd like to spend some time with her. As my wife was mostly knocked out, I had the extreme pleasure of holding her first. It is something I will never, ever forget. As I looked her over once again, I remember Thanking God for His gift to us and silently promising Him, my bride, and my little girl, that I would do my best to take care of her.
When I left the hospital a few hours later, I first stopped at church to again Thank Him. I know the priest who happened by must have thought something must be terribly wrong as I was again crying. The emotions just came forth as I thanked God for His wonderfulness in giving us this beautiful little angel and for allowing my beautiful bride to come through the ordeal of childbirth unscathed.
The years, of course, went by. As a toddler, she was incredibly cute. People would often stop us and tell us how precious she was. Like we didn't know it. Only one time I can remember that I actually got mad at her during the toddler years. We, my daughter and I, were going somewhere, and I stopped to get gas. I got out of the car to pump the gas and left the keys in the car. Big mistake. She pushed down the lock. So I was completely locked out of the car. In Denver. In the winter. As I implored her to open the lock, she kept smiling at me and waving, thinking we were playing. Of course, daddy - freezing And thinking this is NOT so cute - is trying to coax his angel to open the lock. It took probably 15 minutes or so before she finally did.
As a young girl, I have too many memories of her to state here, but she was ALWAYS a joy to her mom and I. One memory that jumps to mind was when we took her to a restaurant. She was so social. She simply would not finish her food, and as it was a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, her mom and I de4cided to wait her out until she ate all of the food on her plate, thinking that this is one of the things as parents we must teach her to do. We did, in fact teach her this lesson. FOUR hours later.
I remember taking her to the first Father/daughter dance. I felt so privileged to do so. And to her first rock concert. Huey Lewis and the News. We came out of that with our ears ringing and laughing about it. In later years, for my birthday, she and her fiance (now husband) took me to see The Rolling Stones - one of my favorite groups.
My daughter was an incredible swimmer in high school. My wife and I attempted to make it to every swim meet there was. She qualified for, and placed in, State finals in both Texas and Oklahoma. And, at the swim team banquet after her junior year in Houston, she was elected captain of the women's team. I danced with her at that banquet knowing I had to give her some bad news, but I couldn't tell her then. I couldn't ruin her moment. We were moving. Before her senior year in high school.
It was awful. For a time, we thought we'd have to leave our beautiful daughter behind in Texas when we moved to Oklahoma. Frankly, we finally prepared for this, contacting parents of one of her best friends from high school, and arranging for her to live the year with them. We were all heartbroken about this.
Then, our little girl reached the final stages of womanhood. She announced to us that her place was with us. She would be moving to Oklahoma with us. The relief our family felt - her brothers too - was immense. Though the first few weeks of her high school career were a bit rocky, she eventually thrived, and did extremely well. Her GPA flourished. She did well on the swim team. She met a boy.
Soon it was time to check out colleges, and she selected the University of Oklahoma. Because our girl was so smart, she was able to test out of some classes and enter as a second semester Freshman. Just like her, if you were to ask her parents. Always a step ahead of the rest of her contemporaries. ALWAYS making her parents proud. She decided to go into the Greek system - and had a perfect rush - getting chosen by the sorority she wanted from the beginning, and one of the top ones on Campus.
As 4 years of college flew by, she was, of course, on top of her game, excelling in virtually everything. Just as we knew she would. Going to her college graduation was such a thrill for my bride and I, as neither of us had experienced the thrill personally. But, our girl did! That day we also met the man she would later marry.
As her career began and flourished, our pride in our daughter continued. She achieved more than we ever could have expected that morning in Florida when we first laid eyes on her. We also watched her fall in love with a wonderful young man, whom we also grew to love. When he called me and asked me if I could spend some time with him as he wanted to talk to me, I thrust my arm into the air, thinking "YES!!!" We knew he was "The one" almost from the time we first saw him.
Seeing my little girl moments before walking her down the aisle, dressed so beautifully in her wedding gown, was similar to the scene in "Father of the Bride" where Steve Martin looks at his daughter at the dinner table as she is announcing her intent to wed, and he flashes back on all the memorable times of his daughter and he. I, of course, being the sentimental old Irishman that I am, teared up and almost lost it.
Going forward a few years, we were visiting my princess and her husband, and as only she could do, she said she had a present for us. She handed a wrapped gift to my wife, who opened it at my urging. As my wife screamed, ran to my angel, embraced her, kissed her, I, of course sat there clueless as a typical sit-com father. After a few seconds, my wife handed me the present. It was a simple picture frame, around the edges "I love Grandpa and Grandma", inserted inside the frame, "picture coming, May 4th". Obviously, I jumped up, held my daughter, my wife, my son in law, and, of course, started crying again.
Flash forward almost 9 months. Phone rings. "Dad, the doctor is gonna induce labor. Do you think you & mom can come down today?" If this hadn't been my Poopsie, I would have answered with something sarcastic,like, "Uh, Gee, I don't know, there's a movie on TV I was thinking of maybe watching." Instead, I said, "Let me call mom, we'll be there as soon as possible." We made the 2 hour drive in less than an hour and 15 minutes. This was MY DAUGHTER. About to give birth.
So, then, our first Grandchild. Jacob. God, we love that boy. HE is, like his mother, beautiful. Smart. Personality plus. Just an incredible kid. He is 5 1/2 now. And HIS mother, my daughter, is an incredible mother. No real surprise there. She has been incredible in everything she has ever done. Her husband is pretty incredible too, spending time with their son teaching him in some ways I never thought of. I guess it's just another way she proved herself. She chose the right guy.
Forest Gump probably said it best, "Momma used to say, 'Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get'".
In our case, when we opened our box of chocolates, we were lucky enough to get the best, the sweetest. Our daughter.
So, to my daughter - Happy Birthday! You will ALWAYS be my little girl - even though you've grown up to be the strongest, most self assured, independent woman we know. You are kind, yet firm. A gentle, loving mother. A beautiful woman - inside and out.
I am so proud of you - and I love you more than you'll ever know.
Dad
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Last of the Golden Girls
She hadn't been the same since her twin brother died last Thanksgiving day. Frankly, his death, coming so suddenly and unexpectedly, had affected the entire family. He was always the stronger of the two of them. A big burly one, whereas she was smaller and slighter. He hadn't been sick until the last couple of days prior to his passing, while she had been diagnosed with a cancerous mass on her spleen about a year and a half before he departed this life. The entire family felt she would pass on before he did, but, as is often the case, fate surprises us.
Her grieving for her brother began immediately after leaving him at the hospital. While I and my wife cried, she was unable to express her grief in this manner. She just moped around. For more than a month. And, as I referenced above, she has not been the same since he died. Until his death, they had never been separated, and his departure took a physical toll on her that was visible to all. She lost almost a third of her weight in the year since he passed and grew significantly grayer.
"She" is Lexus, our last remaining Golden Retriever. "He" was Beemer, her brother and, of course, litter mate, whom we had to put to sleep last Thanksgiving day.
Today, Lexus, our last Golden girl was put to sleep while my bride and I held her and petted her. We cried so hard that our vet, Dr. Barbara Miller, cried with us as we all said goodbye to our beloved family member.
Lexus finally lost the will to live. She stopped eating on Sunday. She couldn't poop anymore, and she couldn't even get into the car this morning to go to the vet. We had to lift her up and in to the back seat. While she did manage to look out the window, she didn't even poke her nose out the lowered window. We knew last night after cooking her her own hamburger, which she turned her nose up at, and attempting to give her milk bones, which she usually wolfed down looking for more, that today would probably be it for our girl. But we hoped maybe she would rebound, or the vet would diagnose something and be able to prescribe a medicine to make her feel better.
We knew better though, and after explaining what was going on with Lexus to Dr. Miller, who has cared for Lexus for almost 11 years, I asked her what she thought. She teared up a bit, and confirmed what we already knew by saying: "It's time." As my bride and I couldn't hold back our tears anymore, Dr. Miller, took the Kleenex box, grabbed one herself, and handed it to us. Dr. Miller left the room to get some Valium to give to Lexus.
I think Lexus suspected what was going on, but didn't care. As she walked over to us to be petted, she did so slowly, but her tail never wagged. She had a look in her eyes that almost said, "It's okay, I'm sick, and I know it's time." At least I'm telling myself that now, as I continue to cry, missing my dog, Lexus.
After Lexus received the shot of Valium from Dr. Miller (who then left us alone to say our goodbyes)it took awhile to kick in, but finally our girl lay down, and was resting. Her tongue came out of her mouth and she kept trying to lick her nose, as she was falling asleep. All the while, my bride and I kept petting and kissing her telling her how much we loved her and what a good girl she was. She never moved.
When Dr. Miller came back in to the room with another needle, we knew it would be over soon. My wife and I told Lexus again what a good girl she was, how much we loved her, and held her as the Dr. administered the shot that would ease her pain and take her life.
She went silently, unlike how she entered our lives. Lexus was the runt of the litter, and when we first got her she was hyperactive. So much so that we decided to get her brother, Beemer at the same time because he was so laid back and calmed her down a bit. At first, I couldn't stand Lexus. In fact, at times during the first few months, I was ready to get rid of her because she was so wild. Fortunately, my better half ignored my rantings.
As the months and years went by, she became such a joy to me. She, like her brother Beemer, followed me everywhere. Lexus would chase a tennis ball with me throwing it until she would nearly drop. One of the main reasons I got surgery on my right shoulder this past summer is because I couldn't throw the ball anymore without it hurting. And, as recently as last week, she kept chasing a ball until I stopped throwing it for fear she'd have a heart attack.
As anyone who has ever had a pet knows, losing one is awful. They are not JUST pets - or dogs. They are family members.
My Golden Girl is gone. And I feel terrible. Now I have to let the rest of my family members know. It won't be easy. I'll probably cry with each one of them.
Her grieving for her brother began immediately after leaving him at the hospital. While I and my wife cried, she was unable to express her grief in this manner. She just moped around. For more than a month. And, as I referenced above, she has not been the same since he died. Until his death, they had never been separated, and his departure took a physical toll on her that was visible to all. She lost almost a third of her weight in the year since he passed and grew significantly grayer.
"She" is Lexus, our last remaining Golden Retriever. "He" was Beemer, her brother and, of course, litter mate, whom we had to put to sleep last Thanksgiving day.
Today, Lexus, our last Golden girl was put to sleep while my bride and I held her and petted her. We cried so hard that our vet, Dr. Barbara Miller, cried with us as we all said goodbye to our beloved family member.
Lexus finally lost the will to live. She stopped eating on Sunday. She couldn't poop anymore, and she couldn't even get into the car this morning to go to the vet. We had to lift her up and in to the back seat. While she did manage to look out the window, she didn't even poke her nose out the lowered window. We knew last night after cooking her her own hamburger, which she turned her nose up at, and attempting to give her milk bones, which she usually wolfed down looking for more, that today would probably be it for our girl. But we hoped maybe she would rebound, or the vet would diagnose something and be able to prescribe a medicine to make her feel better.
We knew better though, and after explaining what was going on with Lexus to Dr. Miller, who has cared for Lexus for almost 11 years, I asked her what she thought. She teared up a bit, and confirmed what we already knew by saying: "It's time." As my bride and I couldn't hold back our tears anymore, Dr. Miller, took the Kleenex box, grabbed one herself, and handed it to us. Dr. Miller left the room to get some Valium to give to Lexus.
I think Lexus suspected what was going on, but didn't care. As she walked over to us to be petted, she did so slowly, but her tail never wagged. She had a look in her eyes that almost said, "It's okay, I'm sick, and I know it's time." At least I'm telling myself that now, as I continue to cry, missing my dog, Lexus.
After Lexus received the shot of Valium from Dr. Miller (who then left us alone to say our goodbyes)it took awhile to kick in, but finally our girl lay down, and was resting. Her tongue came out of her mouth and she kept trying to lick her nose, as she was falling asleep. All the while, my bride and I kept petting and kissing her telling her how much we loved her and what a good girl she was. She never moved.
When Dr. Miller came back in to the room with another needle, we knew it would be over soon. My wife and I told Lexus again what a good girl she was, how much we loved her, and held her as the Dr. administered the shot that would ease her pain and take her life.
She went silently, unlike how she entered our lives. Lexus was the runt of the litter, and when we first got her she was hyperactive. So much so that we decided to get her brother, Beemer at the same time because he was so laid back and calmed her down a bit. At first, I couldn't stand Lexus. In fact, at times during the first few months, I was ready to get rid of her because she was so wild. Fortunately, my better half ignored my rantings.
As the months and years went by, she became such a joy to me. She, like her brother Beemer, followed me everywhere. Lexus would chase a tennis ball with me throwing it until she would nearly drop. One of the main reasons I got surgery on my right shoulder this past summer is because I couldn't throw the ball anymore without it hurting. And, as recently as last week, she kept chasing a ball until I stopped throwing it for fear she'd have a heart attack.
As anyone who has ever had a pet knows, losing one is awful. They are not JUST pets - or dogs. They are family members.
My Golden Girl is gone. And I feel terrible. Now I have to let the rest of my family members know. It won't be easy. I'll probably cry with each one of them.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Footnote
Yesterday passed by with hardly a mention. The date was November 22nd. It was the 46th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I was 17 years old, and a Senior in high school at the time of his death. He was inaugurated when I was a Freshman in high school, and a good part of his campaign took place during the summer immediately prior to my entering high school, after completing my elementary education at a Catholic school.
Being of Irish descent, and a Catholic to boot, JFK, the young, handsome Senator from Massachusetts was revered by my family. As I've often said to friends, aside from pictures of family and Jesus, the only other person whose picture adorned the walls of my family home was President Kennedy. All of us, my parents, grandmother, brothers, and I, cried at the news of his death, and remained glued to the television during the next few days in a period of national mourning and shock.
It has often been said that everyone can remember where they were when they heard the news that JFK had been shot. I know I can. I was in Mr. Lanzarotta's class when our principal broke in over the P.A. system to give us the awful news, and then left the radio on for the entire school to hear the ongoing reports.
After his death was confirmed, a full school assembly was called, with all students and faculty gathering in the gym. It was somber. My teacher, Mr. Lanzarotta, recited Walt Whitman's poem, "O' Captain, My Captain". I remember many students and teachers alike with tears streaming down their cheeks. I, like a lot of the males in the senior class fought back our own tears. After the assembly we were dismissed for the day. It was then, in my 1955 Buick, driving home from school, listening to the radio reports, I released my pent up tears.
His death, like his election as the first Catholic, was a seminal moment in my lifetime. It inspired me some 5 years later to work for his brother Bobby's campaign for President - only to be crushed again when he was struck down by another assassin.
Yesterday, though, it was incredible to me that the only mention I heard of JFK's assassination was as an afterthought to a story about the son of his younger brother Ted. Representative Patrick Kennedy was apparently denied communion by a bishop of the Catholic Church because he supports the rights of women to choose abortion. That was the story - and, oh, by the way, "...this occurred on the 46th anniversary of the assassination of his uncle, President John F. Kennedy."
I guess time marches on, but it does seem to me that this should have been a bit more than a footnote to a story. For those of us who lived it, JFK"S assassination will indelibly be marked on our minds forever.
Old Fart Mike
Being of Irish descent, and a Catholic to boot, JFK, the young, handsome Senator from Massachusetts was revered by my family. As I've often said to friends, aside from pictures of family and Jesus, the only other person whose picture adorned the walls of my family home was President Kennedy. All of us, my parents, grandmother, brothers, and I, cried at the news of his death, and remained glued to the television during the next few days in a period of national mourning and shock.
It has often been said that everyone can remember where they were when they heard the news that JFK had been shot. I know I can. I was in Mr. Lanzarotta's class when our principal broke in over the P.A. system to give us the awful news, and then left the radio on for the entire school to hear the ongoing reports.
After his death was confirmed, a full school assembly was called, with all students and faculty gathering in the gym. It was somber. My teacher, Mr. Lanzarotta, recited Walt Whitman's poem, "O' Captain, My Captain". I remember many students and teachers alike with tears streaming down their cheeks. I, like a lot of the males in the senior class fought back our own tears. After the assembly we were dismissed for the day. It was then, in my 1955 Buick, driving home from school, listening to the radio reports, I released my pent up tears.
His death, like his election as the first Catholic, was a seminal moment in my lifetime. It inspired me some 5 years later to work for his brother Bobby's campaign for President - only to be crushed again when he was struck down by another assassin.
Yesterday, though, it was incredible to me that the only mention I heard of JFK's assassination was as an afterthought to a story about the son of his younger brother Ted. Representative Patrick Kennedy was apparently denied communion by a bishop of the Catholic Church because he supports the rights of women to choose abortion. That was the story - and, oh, by the way, "...this occurred on the 46th anniversary of the assassination of his uncle, President John F. Kennedy."
I guess time marches on, but it does seem to me that this should have been a bit more than a footnote to a story. For those of us who lived it, JFK"S assassination will indelibly be marked on our minds forever.
Old Fart Mike
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Roots
I haven't blogged for quite some time. Just been busy, I suppose, though I don't know what with. But one of the things that has been occupying my mind lately is family roots, or, more defined, "from whence we come". Last month, had he lived, my dad would have reached the ripe old age of 99. Next year, obviously, the date of his birth will mark 100 years since he made his entrance into life in Chicago, Illinois. I guess that is what got me started thinking about family roots.
One thing, I imagine, is passed on from generation to generation is parents wishes that their children "do better" than they did. I know that it is true in the generations of my family at least. Parents want their children to succeed, have more money, realize greater fulfillment, have a nicer home, have more and better things, and generally, just reach greater heights than they themselves did. It seems natural. It seems like it should be. In my particular family, some of this has already occurred, and some in well on the way to happening.
My Grandfather and Grandmother Hughes had nothing much to speak of, from what I've heard. They lived in an Irish village in South Chicago, near the majority of my Grandmother's family. She never worked, which was pretty much the custom in those days, and my grandfather was mostly a laborer. Neither ever left Chicago.
My dad, the youngest of four, had a 6th grade education. He married my mom, a high school graduate, who came from a broken family, my maternal Grandfather having left my grandmother when my mother was a little girl.
While my brothers and I all received our high school diplomas, only the oldest of us went on to earn his college degree, though I did take some college course. My wife also did go to college, yet did not complete her studies either. Neither of her parents went to college either.
Through hard work, a driven personality, an incredibly supportive wife, and some luck, I was able to succeed in an industry far beyond what could have ever been expected considering my roots in a working class environment with no advanced education. We, though, had the foresight to realize that our children would need the benefit of college to achieve the goal of "doing better than their parents". So we made a pact of getting them through college. We provided the money and encouragement. They provided the hard work, and desire. We see now that they are on the way to that elusive goal.
However, if there is one thing I could tell them - or anyone, for that matter - it would be don't forget your family's roots. I did for a while. I started playing with the rich and famous and almost forgot about the difficult work put in by the generations before me in my family to allow me to reach the heights I did.
To think that my great great grandfather escaped Ireland in the Potato famine, leaving behind other members in his family to venture to a new world sometime in the 1840's would lead to what I have now is almost unbelievable. His son, for whom I'm named, eventually moved to Chicago from the East Coast, and began yet another new life there.
My grandfather Hughes, whom I only saw as an infant - and then my Grandmother Hughes, who died in early 1954, gave birth to my dad. My grandmother Hughes' death allowed my dad to make the move to California - when I was but 7 years old.
Moving to California was like heaven to my dad, whose experience with it previously had come as a Marine, going and coming from WWII. It enabled him and my mom to buy a home for the first time - the first one purchased by anyone in his family, ever. He was 44 years old at the time.
Years ago, long after my dad had passed, and my mother was gravely ill with cancer, I drove my kids past that home. The home I grew up in. I was trying to make a point about how far I/we had come. About roots. I don't think they got it. But I am hopeful that someday they will. I know in my youth, I was too busy trying to climb that ladder & grab that brass ring to stop to reflect on how far I'd come. It wasn't until I reached a certain age that it dawned on me. That little house I grew up in seemed to be the most beautiful thing in the world at the time. It was filled with the roots of the generations of family who had never owned a home before.
Old Fart Mike
One thing, I imagine, is passed on from generation to generation is parents wishes that their children "do better" than they did. I know that it is true in the generations of my family at least. Parents want their children to succeed, have more money, realize greater fulfillment, have a nicer home, have more and better things, and generally, just reach greater heights than they themselves did. It seems natural. It seems like it should be. In my particular family, some of this has already occurred, and some in well on the way to happening.
My Grandfather and Grandmother Hughes had nothing much to speak of, from what I've heard. They lived in an Irish village in South Chicago, near the majority of my Grandmother's family. She never worked, which was pretty much the custom in those days, and my grandfather was mostly a laborer. Neither ever left Chicago.
My dad, the youngest of four, had a 6th grade education. He married my mom, a high school graduate, who came from a broken family, my maternal Grandfather having left my grandmother when my mother was a little girl.
While my brothers and I all received our high school diplomas, only the oldest of us went on to earn his college degree, though I did take some college course. My wife also did go to college, yet did not complete her studies either. Neither of her parents went to college either.
Through hard work, a driven personality, an incredibly supportive wife, and some luck, I was able to succeed in an industry far beyond what could have ever been expected considering my roots in a working class environment with no advanced education. We, though, had the foresight to realize that our children would need the benefit of college to achieve the goal of "doing better than their parents". So we made a pact of getting them through college. We provided the money and encouragement. They provided the hard work, and desire. We see now that they are on the way to that elusive goal.
However, if there is one thing I could tell them - or anyone, for that matter - it would be don't forget your family's roots. I did for a while. I started playing with the rich and famous and almost forgot about the difficult work put in by the generations before me in my family to allow me to reach the heights I did.
To think that my great great grandfather escaped Ireland in the Potato famine, leaving behind other members in his family to venture to a new world sometime in the 1840's would lead to what I have now is almost unbelievable. His son, for whom I'm named, eventually moved to Chicago from the East Coast, and began yet another new life there.
My grandfather Hughes, whom I only saw as an infant - and then my Grandmother Hughes, who died in early 1954, gave birth to my dad. My grandmother Hughes' death allowed my dad to make the move to California - when I was but 7 years old.
Moving to California was like heaven to my dad, whose experience with it previously had come as a Marine, going and coming from WWII. It enabled him and my mom to buy a home for the first time - the first one purchased by anyone in his family, ever. He was 44 years old at the time.
Years ago, long after my dad had passed, and my mother was gravely ill with cancer, I drove my kids past that home. The home I grew up in. I was trying to make a point about how far I/we had come. About roots. I don't think they got it. But I am hopeful that someday they will. I know in my youth, I was too busy trying to climb that ladder & grab that brass ring to stop to reflect on how far I'd come. It wasn't until I reached a certain age that it dawned on me. That little house I grew up in seemed to be the most beautiful thing in the world at the time. It was filled with the roots of the generations of family who had never owned a home before.
Old Fart Mike
Monday, September 21, 2009
Something else to oppose?
So, early last week President Obama wholeheartedly endorsed Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. I've been somewhat busy during this week which has prevented me from keeping up with the news as my usual schedule allows, which has me curious as to whether Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Fox News, and the Republican party in general, has come out against this crazy idea yet.
After all, Chicago is "The Toddlin' Town" which can only mean that it embraces shameful imbibing of alcoholic drinks - something that is likely to upset the Religious Right. Why the Gospel claims Jesus ever turned water into wine has always been a mystery to them. It is also the adopted home of Mr. Obama who, according to the "Birthers" was actually born in Kenya, regardless of that inconvenient birth certificate and the two announcements that appeared in the Hawaiian newspapers some 48 years ago. It is where he worked as a (Gasp - Dare I say it) Community Organizer - something akin to being a card-carrying COMMUNIST - or, maybe even a Fascist!
There are so many other reasons to oppose this far-fetched idea. It's not known for Nascar events. It's not a real American town - like Midland-Odessa, or Kennebunkport. For Gawd's Sake, it's in Illinois - which has voted for Democrats more often than not. Chicago is the town that evangelist Billy Sunday could not shut down. It is a city that has elected Mayors named Richard Daley - often. It elected the first woman mayor; the first African-American mayor.
The city, according to the latest census bureau was also one of the most racially diverse too, with 37% Caucasian and 35% African-American among it's populace. We can't be showing that kind of split to the World. We need to show them something more American, like the Republican Party did at their 2008 convention.
So, today I'll have to go check and see if the Right-wing pundits have attacked Obama for his crazy endorsement of Chicago as host for the 2016 Olympics. It's another one of his Socialist ideas. Or was that Fascist? I don't know. It's all the same isn't it? He's just ruining this country with all these crazy ideas. I want my constitution back.
Old Fart Mike
After all, Chicago is "The Toddlin' Town" which can only mean that it embraces shameful imbibing of alcoholic drinks - something that is likely to upset the Religious Right. Why the Gospel claims Jesus ever turned water into wine has always been a mystery to them. It is also the adopted home of Mr. Obama who, according to the "Birthers" was actually born in Kenya, regardless of that inconvenient birth certificate and the two announcements that appeared in the Hawaiian newspapers some 48 years ago. It is where he worked as a (Gasp - Dare I say it) Community Organizer - something akin to being a card-carrying COMMUNIST - or, maybe even a Fascist!
There are so many other reasons to oppose this far-fetched idea. It's not known for Nascar events. It's not a real American town - like Midland-Odessa, or Kennebunkport. For Gawd's Sake, it's in Illinois - which has voted for Democrats more often than not. Chicago is the town that evangelist Billy Sunday could not shut down. It is a city that has elected Mayors named Richard Daley - often. It elected the first woman mayor; the first African-American mayor.
The city, according to the latest census bureau was also one of the most racially diverse too, with 37% Caucasian and 35% African-American among it's populace. We can't be showing that kind of split to the World. We need to show them something more American, like the Republican Party did at their 2008 convention.
So, today I'll have to go check and see if the Right-wing pundits have attacked Obama for his crazy endorsement of Chicago as host for the 2016 Olympics. It's another one of his Socialist ideas. Or was that Fascist? I don't know. It's all the same isn't it? He's just ruining this country with all these crazy ideas. I want my constitution back.
Old Fart Mike
Friday, September 4, 2009
Reddest of the red
In the last Presidential election, the state of Oklahoma proved it was the reddest of the red states by having each and every county vote for Republican candidate John McCain. This occurred despite the fact Senator McCain never campaigned in the state and Barrack Obama won both the popular vote by over 8 1/2 million votes, and 28 states to McCain's 22. Here in Oklahoma, McCain received 66% of of the votes cast - obviously, an overwhelming majority.
Our state legislature is controlled by Republicans; our two U.S. Senators are Republicans; and, finally, our 5 congressional representatives are comprised of 4 Republicans and 1 "Blue Dog" Democrat. I have provided these statistics as a measure of my claim that my state is the current leader among RED STATES.
This, of course, makes it somewhat difficult for a Liberal(Shhhh, I need to be careful when I utter that dreaded word aloud around here)such as myself to speak my opinion about things when out and about, else I get shouted down by Tea-partiers, or Town-hall attendees. It doesn't matter that none of the aforementioned opponents have perused(Uh, that means read) a newspaper, a weekly magazine, or watched anything other than their fellow screamers on Fox News such as Glenn Beck or Bill O'Reilly - or their prophet, that darling of talk show radio, Rush Limbaugh. After all, these sage purveyors of opinion will tell them what they need to know. Why bother to read or question what they say?
Anywho, a couple of items in our daily newspaper over the last couple of days prompted me to write. Yesterday,an article appeared about our Senior Senator, Republican Jim Inhofe,and his comments at a Town Hall meeting he orchestrated in a small community. The headline was reminiscent of any one of several that may have appeared since Barrack Obama appeared on the national horizon a year and a half ago:
Inhofe blasts Obama
Gee, what a surprise. Some quotes from this article:
*"Right-thinking Americans can only hope the country will survive the next 16 months of the Obama administration until Republicans can regain control of Congress."
* “I never dreamed I would see an administration try to disavow all the things that have made this country different from all others,”
* “Every institution that has made this country the greatest nation in the world is under attack,”
What a guy, huh? Inhofe, by the way, is the Senator known for his stance on global warming, by stating, on more than one occasion: "Global warming is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on mankind."
Then today, our state legislation took hold of the front page. Well, not quite. After all, it is the beginning of football season, and we Oklahomans DO have our priorities set right, so the front page was shared with a story about this weekend's college football games. The story I'm referring to though is headlined, as follows:
PLANNED OBAMA SPEECH BLASTED THE SUBHEAD reads, GOP lawmakers say he aims to indoctrinate schoolchildren.
Let's go ahead and smack down a speech that he is planning to make to kids about working hard, setting goals, taking responsibility for learning, and getting good grades. One of our Republican state legislators goes on to say, "This is something that you'd expect to see in North Korea or in Saddam Hussein's Iraq". He further said constituents in his district are very concerned, noting that parents believe Obama is overstepping his bounds by talking directly to students instead of voters. Hmmm - I wonder if they felt that way when the Patron Saint of the Republican party, Ronald Reagan, who could do no wrong (Forget about Iran/Contra) addressed schoolchildren - or perhaps the esteemed George W. Bush, who might have confused the little ones when he spoke to them?
Yet another Republican legislator said the speech appears to cross the line into political advocacy and "it appears to be more about indoctrination of students than education." This particular legislator is the same person who once made headlines for saying gay people were more of a threat to the United States than terrorists." A real winner.
It is wonderful that two of our State Senators appear to have a pipeline into the administration of President Obama. Particularly since they are from a rather small state and are members of the opposing party. Obviously they must have this insight because how else would they know exactly what he is going to say to schoolchildren next week? Perhaps it is their close association with God that allows them this insight.
Like many people, though unfortunately, not in this state, I am tired of simply criticizing a PROPOSED but unread bill, or a Yet-to-be-made speech. I am fed-up with accusations that are unfounded. I am sick of constant fear-mongering which seem to be perpetuated by TV and Radio Commentators, and furthered by some Republican congresspersons. I can't stand being sent e-mails that don't have a shred of truth in them, yet when I send FACTUAL, DOCUMENTED, PROOF disputing their e-mail, in reply, they respond by saying "well, that's made up by the liberal media".
There is no more "liberal media" that I can see.
They have all been scared off.
And here I sit. In this RED, RED State, with MY face turning Red, as I attempt to navigate through all the lies of the Right-wingers.
Old Fart Mike
"What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then ... we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."
- John F. Kennedy [September 14, 1960]
Our state legislature is controlled by Republicans; our two U.S. Senators are Republicans; and, finally, our 5 congressional representatives are comprised of 4 Republicans and 1 "Blue Dog" Democrat. I have provided these statistics as a measure of my claim that my state is the current leader among RED STATES.
This, of course, makes it somewhat difficult for a Liberal(Shhhh, I need to be careful when I utter that dreaded word aloud around here)such as myself to speak my opinion about things when out and about, else I get shouted down by Tea-partiers, or Town-hall attendees. It doesn't matter that none of the aforementioned opponents have perused(Uh, that means read) a newspaper, a weekly magazine, or watched anything other than their fellow screamers on Fox News such as Glenn Beck or Bill O'Reilly - or their prophet, that darling of talk show radio, Rush Limbaugh. After all, these sage purveyors of opinion will tell them what they need to know. Why bother to read or question what they say?
Anywho, a couple of items in our daily newspaper over the last couple of days prompted me to write. Yesterday,an article appeared about our Senior Senator, Republican Jim Inhofe,and his comments at a Town Hall meeting he orchestrated in a small community. The headline was reminiscent of any one of several that may have appeared since Barrack Obama appeared on the national horizon a year and a half ago:
Inhofe blasts Obama
Gee, what a surprise. Some quotes from this article:
*"Right-thinking Americans can only hope the country will survive the next 16 months of the Obama administration until Republicans can regain control of Congress."
* “I never dreamed I would see an administration try to disavow all the things that have made this country different from all others,”
* “Every institution that has made this country the greatest nation in the world is under attack,”
What a guy, huh? Inhofe, by the way, is the Senator known for his stance on global warming, by stating, on more than one occasion: "Global warming is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on mankind."
Then today, our state legislation took hold of the front page. Well, not quite. After all, it is the beginning of football season, and we Oklahomans DO have our priorities set right, so the front page was shared with a story about this weekend's college football games. The story I'm referring to though is headlined, as follows:
PLANNED OBAMA SPEECH BLASTED THE SUBHEAD reads, GOP lawmakers say he aims to indoctrinate schoolchildren.
Let's go ahead and smack down a speech that he is planning to make to kids about working hard, setting goals, taking responsibility for learning, and getting good grades. One of our Republican state legislators goes on to say, "This is something that you'd expect to see in North Korea or in Saddam Hussein's Iraq". He further said constituents in his district are very concerned, noting that parents believe Obama is overstepping his bounds by talking directly to students instead of voters. Hmmm - I wonder if they felt that way when the Patron Saint of the Republican party, Ronald Reagan, who could do no wrong (Forget about Iran/Contra) addressed schoolchildren - or perhaps the esteemed George W. Bush, who might have confused the little ones when he spoke to them?
Yet another Republican legislator said the speech appears to cross the line into political advocacy and "it appears to be more about indoctrination of students than education." This particular legislator is the same person who once made headlines for saying gay people were more of a threat to the United States than terrorists." A real winner.
It is wonderful that two of our State Senators appear to have a pipeline into the administration of President Obama. Particularly since they are from a rather small state and are members of the opposing party. Obviously they must have this insight because how else would they know exactly what he is going to say to schoolchildren next week? Perhaps it is their close association with God that allows them this insight.
Like many people, though unfortunately, not in this state, I am tired of simply criticizing a PROPOSED but unread bill, or a Yet-to-be-made speech. I am fed-up with accusations that are unfounded. I am sick of constant fear-mongering which seem to be perpetuated by TV and Radio Commentators, and furthered by some Republican congresspersons. I can't stand being sent e-mails that don't have a shred of truth in them, yet when I send FACTUAL, DOCUMENTED, PROOF disputing their e-mail, in reply, they respond by saying "well, that's made up by the liberal media".
There is no more "liberal media" that I can see.
They have all been scared off.
And here I sit. In this RED, RED State, with MY face turning Red, as I attempt to navigate through all the lies of the Right-wingers.
Old Fart Mike
"What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then ... we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."
- John F. Kennedy [September 14, 1960]
Thursday, August 27, 2009
And then there were none
The passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy marked the end of the legendary Kennedy brothers, and the era of what was called a modern day Camelot. Teddy, as he was known to friends and family, passed away from the effects of brain cancer earlier this week at the age of 77. He was the youngest of the Kennedy clan.
The family, who for decades, was the closest thing to royalty in America. It was also a family beset by unspeakable tragedy. The eldest brother, Joe, died in a plane crash during World War II, defending his country. He was the brother who was earmarked to become president by the family Patriarch, his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. The eldest daughter, Kathleen, or "Kit", as she was called by her family, also died in a plane crash. Another daughter, Rosemary, suffered from mental retardation which caused mood swings so severe, her father arranged a new procedure - a lobotomy - which impaired her abilities more, to the point of institutionalizing her until her death, many years later.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected president in 1960, and was assassinated in November of 1963. Less than 5 years later, Brother Bobby, running for President and having just won the California Primary, was also struck down by an assassin.
Some of the most emotional moments in my lifetime, not involving family, were when JFK and Bobby were killed. I was a senior in high school when the news of President Kennedy's death came on our loudspeaker system. I was a volunteer for Bobby's campaign in California when he was shot to death.
The passing of Teddy brings out different emotions in me. I always felt a little sorry for him. He was the youngest brother in a family of over-achievers, and he was expected by everyone - not just his family - but by the millions of Kennedy admirers to reach the great heights that his older brothers did. He might have done it too, except for one ill-fated night. He drove off a bride in Chappaquiddick in 1969, and a young lady by the name of MaryJo Kopechne drowned. Teddy somehow survived, but he failed to even report the accident until 9 hours later. No matter what excuses he offered, none of them rang true.
Some 11 years later he made a run for his party's candidacy, challenging an incumbent, though unpopular President Jimmy Carter. Chappaquiddick and his involvement there ruined his chances. It is doubtful he would have succeeded in the general election, as the Republican foe, Ronald Reagan, popular former Governor of California, had the right message for the times.
I had always wondered if Teddy really wanted to be president, or if he was simply responding to the pressure of those around him urging him to run and the sense of duty to fulfill what he convinced himself was the family destiny. He appeared uncomfortable to me when interviewed, though occasionally he could rouse a crowd with a heartfelt speech, as he did delivering brother Bobby's eulogy, or his concession to Jimmy Carter at the Democratic Convention. Most times, however, he just didn't seem to be the impassioned Public figure that either of his brothers were.
Of course, he redirected his energy in his Senate career, and both sides of the aisle praise him for his hard work and efforts during his nearly 50 year career. Unfortunately, his public persona continued to suffer, with publicized drinking bouts and womanizing. One wonders how he could have separated such an effective legislative life from such a disastrous public life, though many politicians have, both before and since, done the same thing.
He also was the poster boy for Liberals during much of his life which, of course, made him a hated person by many. Yet some of the legislation he was instrumental in passing - American Disability Act; Title IX; Children's Health Insurance; No child left behind, among others - made our country a better place, and benefited people from all parties.
His loss will be felt by many, and be, most likely, welcomed by some. But we shouldn't forget that time, long ago, when he and his family represented the best of what America had to offer. So, Senator Kennedy, as you join your brothers....
In short, there's simply not
A more congenial spot
For happily-ever-aftering than here
In Camelot.
Old Fart Mike
The family, who for decades, was the closest thing to royalty in America. It was also a family beset by unspeakable tragedy. The eldest brother, Joe, died in a plane crash during World War II, defending his country. He was the brother who was earmarked to become president by the family Patriarch, his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. The eldest daughter, Kathleen, or "Kit", as she was called by her family, also died in a plane crash. Another daughter, Rosemary, suffered from mental retardation which caused mood swings so severe, her father arranged a new procedure - a lobotomy - which impaired her abilities more, to the point of institutionalizing her until her death, many years later.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected president in 1960, and was assassinated in November of 1963. Less than 5 years later, Brother Bobby, running for President and having just won the California Primary, was also struck down by an assassin.
Some of the most emotional moments in my lifetime, not involving family, were when JFK and Bobby were killed. I was a senior in high school when the news of President Kennedy's death came on our loudspeaker system. I was a volunteer for Bobby's campaign in California when he was shot to death.
The passing of Teddy brings out different emotions in me. I always felt a little sorry for him. He was the youngest brother in a family of over-achievers, and he was expected by everyone - not just his family - but by the millions of Kennedy admirers to reach the great heights that his older brothers did. He might have done it too, except for one ill-fated night. He drove off a bride in Chappaquiddick in 1969, and a young lady by the name of MaryJo Kopechne drowned. Teddy somehow survived, but he failed to even report the accident until 9 hours later. No matter what excuses he offered, none of them rang true.
Some 11 years later he made a run for his party's candidacy, challenging an incumbent, though unpopular President Jimmy Carter. Chappaquiddick and his involvement there ruined his chances. It is doubtful he would have succeeded in the general election, as the Republican foe, Ronald Reagan, popular former Governor of California, had the right message for the times.
I had always wondered if Teddy really wanted to be president, or if he was simply responding to the pressure of those around him urging him to run and the sense of duty to fulfill what he convinced himself was the family destiny. He appeared uncomfortable to me when interviewed, though occasionally he could rouse a crowd with a heartfelt speech, as he did delivering brother Bobby's eulogy, or his concession to Jimmy Carter at the Democratic Convention. Most times, however, he just didn't seem to be the impassioned Public figure that either of his brothers were.
Of course, he redirected his energy in his Senate career, and both sides of the aisle praise him for his hard work and efforts during his nearly 50 year career. Unfortunately, his public persona continued to suffer, with publicized drinking bouts and womanizing. One wonders how he could have separated such an effective legislative life from such a disastrous public life, though many politicians have, both before and since, done the same thing.
He also was the poster boy for Liberals during much of his life which, of course, made him a hated person by many. Yet some of the legislation he was instrumental in passing - American Disability Act; Title IX; Children's Health Insurance; No child left behind, among others - made our country a better place, and benefited people from all parties.
His loss will be felt by many, and be, most likely, welcomed by some. But we shouldn't forget that time, long ago, when he and his family represented the best of what America had to offer. So, Senator Kennedy, as you join your brothers....
In short, there's simply not
A more congenial spot
For happily-ever-aftering than here
In Camelot.
Old Fart Mike
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The World's gone crazy
The protests of the 60's were nothing compared to what is happening today. These days, people are angered mostly over health care proposals and bailouts of companies and banking institutions. In the 1960's, it was mostly young people with holding signs or burning their draft cards protesting the war in Viet Nam. This was a place where their counterparts were losing lives at an astonishing rate, and no one could actually explain why we were fighting that war, except to say, "We need to stop the advance of communism". That war in Southeast Asia finally ended in 1973, after America had lost over 58,000 of it's troops, and almost a decade had passed.
The protests then were conducted largely by college students with long hair. Today, the protesters are mostly gray-haired middle age suburbanites or senior citizens. They seem to be just as afraid as the college students were 40 years ago. But, unlike those students who demonstrated peacefully, a new element is creeping into the modern day protester - some are showing up with loaded weapons at events where the President of the United States is nearby.
Just a couple days ago, as President Obama addressed a crowd of people indoors at one of several Town Hall meetings - this one in Phoenix - several people (as many as a dozen) were seen brandishing weapons in the area directly outside the hall in which our President was speaking. Law officials could do nothing because these individuals were "not breaking any laws". The second amendment has trumped common sense and lessons we should have learned in the assassinations, and attempted assassinations, of past Presidents and other political figures.
As a senior in high school, I remember well the day President Kennedy was killed in Dallas. Everyone who was alive that day can tell you exactly where he/she was when they heard of his assassination. In 1968, I also remember the murder of Martin Luther King. And then, just a few months later, Senator Robert Kennedy, for whom I did volunteer work on his campaign.
Here we are, some 40 years later. A new President, trying to make changes like JFK, or Dr. King did, or what Bobby was attempting to do, from the way things were. Someone who got elected because he excited enough people to vote him into office.
Will he triumph over the crazies out there? Or will we once again fall victim to unbridled rage and untempered hate? Can it really be true that common sense can be cast aside in allowing people to carry loaded weapons near the President of the United States when we know what has historically happened?
Let us pray that someone from the opposition comes forward and says, "Wait a minute, it's fine to take issue, but tune down the rhetoric. Leave the guns at home. Be respectful."
This needs to happen now.
Old Fart Mike
The protests then were conducted largely by college students with long hair. Today, the protesters are mostly gray-haired middle age suburbanites or senior citizens. They seem to be just as afraid as the college students were 40 years ago. But, unlike those students who demonstrated peacefully, a new element is creeping into the modern day protester - some are showing up with loaded weapons at events where the President of the United States is nearby.
Just a couple days ago, as President Obama addressed a crowd of people indoors at one of several Town Hall meetings - this one in Phoenix - several people (as many as a dozen) were seen brandishing weapons in the area directly outside the hall in which our President was speaking. Law officials could do nothing because these individuals were "not breaking any laws". The second amendment has trumped common sense and lessons we should have learned in the assassinations, and attempted assassinations, of past Presidents and other political figures.
As a senior in high school, I remember well the day President Kennedy was killed in Dallas. Everyone who was alive that day can tell you exactly where he/she was when they heard of his assassination. In 1968, I also remember the murder of Martin Luther King. And then, just a few months later, Senator Robert Kennedy, for whom I did volunteer work on his campaign.
Here we are, some 40 years later. A new President, trying to make changes like JFK, or Dr. King did, or what Bobby was attempting to do, from the way things were. Someone who got elected because he excited enough people to vote him into office.
Will he triumph over the crazies out there? Or will we once again fall victim to unbridled rage and untempered hate? Can it really be true that common sense can be cast aside in allowing people to carry loaded weapons near the President of the United States when we know what has historically happened?
Let us pray that someone from the opposition comes forward and says, "Wait a minute, it's fine to take issue, but tune down the rhetoric. Leave the guns at home. Be respectful."
This needs to happen now.
Old Fart Mike
Sunday, August 16, 2009
I'm Back - with much to say...About Health Care!
I have received so many erroneous e-mails about the health reform bill in congress that I decided to go look up the bill (H.R. Bill 3200 - America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3200/text) and find out for myself what is really true.
Hopefully, this will stop people from spreading nasty, untrue e-mails that spur hatred and not much else. I have picked the 4 areas that seem to have caused the most concern and fueled the most hatred. These are the ones that, for whatever reason, have caused otherwise sane, rational people to attend Town Hall Meetings and scream obscenities at their congressional representatives, or make posters of our President with Hitler mustaches declaring him and members of his party to be either Socialists or Fascists.
While our country has been incredibly fractured and divided since Bill Clinton was elected President, the rift seems to be worsening in the few short months since Barrack Obama took office.
Many friends have quarreled with each other over the dogma of their respective parties and have accused each other of not being Patriotic or worse - simply because of disagreements over policy. In my own case, I served in the Marines, yet was accused by several friends who had never served in the military of not being Patriotic because I disagreed with President Bush when he decided to enter Iraq.
Now, the Health Care issue has divided thousands of people - yet most have not even taken the time to read the provisions that they most object to. Instead, they have simply listened to "The Talking Heads" either on Radio or Television, who have incited them for their own political reasons. I've received e-mail from incredibly bright people I've known for most of my life that contain such inaccuracies about the health care reform bill, I am shocked. I can only attribute it to them leading busy lives and turning to the station(s) that espouse their same general political philosophy. How sad it is that these once open minds have been closed to any other opinions.
I suppose I write not only because I would like people to actually READ the truth, but because I am worried about the future of our President. Stories are already surfacing about the rise in militia; attempts by gun and knife carrying people trying to get in to town halls; and a resurgence in neo-nazi groups and the KKK. With out of control broadcasters demeaning everything our first African-American President is attempting to do, can an attempt on his life be far behind? Will this be a return to the ugliness of the sixties - when 3 of our brightest leaders were assassinated? Let's pray it isn't.
Here are the ACTUAL excerpts from the Health Care bill (copied and pasted on Sunday, August 16, 2009), for the ugliest rumors/lies going around:
RUMOR #1. The bill would make private health insurance illegal. (Not TRUE. It protects peoples current coverage, and if you would rather stay with current coverage it is fine)Here's the applicable section, from the bill.
SEC. 102. PROTECTING THE CHOICE TO KEEP CURRENT COVERAGE.
(a) Grandfathered Health Insurance Coverage Defined- Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for purposes of establishing acceptable coverage under this division, the term ‘grandfathered health insurance coverage’ means individual health insurance coverage that is offered and in force and effect before the first day of Y1 if the following conditions are met:
(1) LIMITATION ON NEW ENROLLMENT-
(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in this paragraph, the individual health insurance issuer offering such coverage does not enroll any individual in such coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day of Y1.
(B) DEPENDENT COVERAGE PERMITTED- Subparagraph (A) shall not affect the subsequent enrollment of a dependent of an individual who is covered as of such first day.
(2) LIMITATION ON CHANGES IN TERMS OR CONDITIONS- Subject to paragraph (3) and except as required by law, the issuer does not change any of its terms or conditions, including benefits and cost-sharing, from those in effect as of the day before the first day of Y1.
(3) RESTRICTIONS ON PREMIUM INCREASES- The issuer cannot vary the percentage increase in the premium for a risk group of enrollees in specific grandfathered health insurance coverage without changing the premium for all enrollees in the same risk group at the same rate, as specified by the Commissioner.
(b) Grace Period for Current Employment-based Health Plans-
(1) GRACE PERIOD-
(A) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner shall establish a grace period whereby, for plan years beginning after the end of the 5-year period beginning with Y1, an employment-based health plan in operation as of the day before the first day of Y1 must meet the same requirements as apply to a qualified health benefits plan under section 101, including the essential benefit package requirement under section 121.
(B) EXCEPTION FOR LIMITED BENEFITS PLANS- Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an employment-based health plan in which the coverage consists only of one or more of the following:
(i) Any coverage described in section 3001(a)(1)(B)(ii)(IV) of division B of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).
(ii) Excepted benefits (as defined in section 733(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), including coverage under a specified disease or illness policy described in paragraph (3)(A) of such section.
(iii) Such other limited benefits as the Commissioner may specify.
In no case shall an employment-based health plan in which the coverage consists only of one or more of the coverage or benefits described in clauses (i) through (iii) be treated as acceptable coverage under this division
(2) TRANSITIONAL TREATMENT AS ACCEPTABLE COVERAGE- During the grace period specified in paragraph (1)(A), an employment-based health plan that is described in such paragraph shall be treated as acceptable coverage under this division.
(c) Limitation on Individual Health Insurance Coverage-
(1) IN GENERAL- Individual health insurance coverage that is not grandfathered health insurance coverage under subsection (a) may only be offered on or after the first day of Y1 as an Exchange-participating health benefits plan.
(2) SEPARATE, EXCEPTED COVERAGE PERMITTED- Excepted benefits (as defined in section 2791(c) of the Public Health Service Act) are not included within the definition of health insurance coverage. Nothing in paragraph (1) shall prevent the offering, other than through the Health Insurance Exchange, of excepted benefits so long as it is offered and priced separately from health insurance coverage.
RUMOR #2. The Health Care bill would set up government death panels (OBVIOUSLY, NOT TRUE. WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS ALLOW THIS PROGRAM TO PAY DOCTORS TO TALK TO THE PATIENT ABOUT ENd OF LIFE ISSUES. IT IS NOT MANDATORY, EITHER) As a side note less than 40% of all Americans have "advance care directives" drawn up - or have spoken to their loved ones about their wishes.HERE is the section and what it says:
SEC. 1233. ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION.
(a) Medicare-Comments
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended--
(A) in subsection (s)(2)-
(i) by striking ‘and’ at the end of subparagraph (DD);
(ii) by adding ‘and’ at the end of subparagraph (EE)
(iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
‘(FF) advance care planning consultation (as defined in subsection (hhh)(1));’; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
‘Advance Care Planning Consultation
13
‘(hhh)(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the term ‘advance care planning consultation’ means a consultation between the individual and a practitioner described in paragraph (2) regarding advance care planning, if, subject to paragraph (3), the individual involved has not had such a consultation within the last 5 years. Such consultation shall include the following:
‘(A) An explanation by the practitioner of advance care planning, including key questions and considerations, important steps, and suggested people to talk to.
‘(B) An explanation by the practitioner of advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney, and their uses.
‘(C) An explanation by the practitioner of the role and responsibilities of a health care proxy.
‘(D) The provision by the practitioner of a list of national and State-specific resources to assist consumers and their families with advance care planning, including the national toll-free hotline, the advance care planning clearinghouses, and State legal service organizations (including those funded through the Older Americans Act of 1965).
‘(E) An explanation by the practitioner of the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, including palliative care and hospice, and benefits for such services and supports that are available under this title.
‘(F)(i) Subject to clause (ii), an explanation of orders regarding life sustaining treatment or similar orders, which shall include
‘(I) the reasons why the development of such an order is beneficial to the individual and the individual’s family and the reasons why such an order should be updated periodically as the health of the individual changes;
‘(II) the information needed for an individual or legal surrogate to make informed decisions regarding the completion of such an order; and
‘(III) the identification of resources that an individual may use to determine the requirements of the State in which such individual resides so that the treatment wishes of that individual will be carried out if the individual is unable to communicate those wishes, including requirements regarding the designation of a surrogate decisionmaker (also known as a health care proxy).
‘(ii) The Secretary shall limit the requirement for explanations under clause (i) to consultations furnished in a State--
‘(I) in which all legal barriers have been addressed for enabling orders for life sustaining treatment to constitute a set of medical orders respected across all care settings; and
‘(II) that has in effect a program for orders for life sustaining treatment described in clause (iii).
‘(iii) A program for orders for life sustaining treatment for a States described in this clause is a program that--
‘(I) ensures such orders are standardized and uniquely identifiable throughout the State;
‘(II) distributes or makes accessible such orders to physicians and other health professionals that (acting within the scope of the professional’s authority under State law) may sign orders for life sustaining treatment;
‘(III) provides training for health care professionals across the continuum of care about the goals and use of orders for life sustaining treatment; and
‘(IV) is guided by a coalition of stakeholders includes representatives from emergency medical services, emergency department physicians or nurses, state long-term care association, state medical association, state surveyors, agency responsible for senior services, state department of health, state hospital association, home health association, state bar association, and state hospice association.
‘(2) A practitioner described in this paragraph is--
‘(A) a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)); and
‘(B) a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant who has the authority under State law to sign orders for life sustaining treatments.
‘(3)(A) An initial preventive physical examination under subsection (WW), including any related discussion during such examination, shall not be considered an advance care planning consultation for purposes of applying the 5-year limitation under paragraph (1).
‘(B) An advance care planning consultation with respect to an individual may be conducted more frequently than provided under paragraph (1) if there is a significant change in the health condition of the individual, including diagnosis of a chronic, progressive, life-limiting disease, a life-threatening or terminal diagnosis or life-threatening injury, or upon admission to a skilled nursing facility, a long-term care facility (as defined by the Secretary), or a hospice program.
‘(4) A consultation under this subsection may include the formulation of an order regarding life sustaining treatment or a similar order.
‘(5)(A) For purposes of this section, the term ‘order regarding life sustaining treatment’ means, with respect to an individual, an actionable medical order relating to the treatment of that individual that--
‘(i) is signed and dated by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or another health care professional (as specified by the Secretary and who is acting within the scope of the professional’s authority under State law in signing such an order, including a nurse practitioner or physician assistant) and is in a form that permits it to stay with the individual and be followed by health care professionals and providers across the continuum of care;
‘(ii) effectively communicates the individual’s preferences regarding life sustaining treatment, including an indication of the treatment and care desired by the individual;
‘(iii) is uniquely identifiable and standardized within a given locality, region, or State (as identified by the Secretary); and
‘(iv) may incorporate any advance directive (as defined in section 1866(f)(3)) if executed by the individual.
‘(B) The level of treatment indicated under subparagraph (A)(ii) may range from an indication for full treatment to an indication to limit some or all or specified interventions. Such indicated levels of treatment may include indications respecting, among other items--
‘(i) the intensity of medical intervention if the patient is pulse less, apneic, or has serious cardiac or pulmonary problems;
‘(ii) the individual’s desire regarding transfer to a hospital or remaining at the current care setting;
‘(iii) the use of antibiotics; and
‘(iv) the use of artificially administered nutrition and hydration.’.
(2) PAYMENT- Section 1848(j)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(j)(3)) is amended by inserting ‘(2)(FF),’ after ‘(2)(EE),’.
(3) FREQUENCY LIMITATION- Section 1862(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)) is amended-
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (N), by striking ‘and’ at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (O) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting ‘, and’; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
‘(P) in the case of advance care planning consultations (as defined in section 1861(hhh)(1)), which are performed more frequently than is covered under such section;’; and
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘or (K)’ and inserting ‘(K), or (P)’.
(4) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to consultations furnished on or after January 1, 2011.
(b) Expansion of Physician Quality Reporting Initiative for End of Life Care-
(1) Physician’S QUALITY REPORTING INITIATIVE- Section 1848(k)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(k)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
‘(3) Physician’S QUALITY REPORTING INITIATIVE-
‘(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of reporting data on quality measures for covered professional services furnished during 2011 and any subsequent year, to the extent that measures are available, the Secretary shall include quality measures on end of life care and advanced care planning that have been adopted or endorsed by a consensus-based organization, if appropriate. Such measures shall measure both the creation of and adherence to orders for life-sustaining treatment.
‘(B) PROPOSED SET OF MEASURES- The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register proposed quality measures on end of life care and advanced care planning that the Secretary determines are described in subparagraph (A) and would be appropriate for eligible professionals to use to submit data to the Secretary. The Secretary shall provide for a period of public comment on such set of measures before finalizing such proposed measures.’.
(c) Inclusion of Information in Medicare & You Handbook-
(1) MEDICARE & YOU HANDBOOK-
(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall update the online version of the Medicare & You Handbook to include the following:
(i) An explanation of advance care planning and advance directives, including--
(I) living wills;
(II) durable power of attorney;
(III) orders of life-sustaining treatment; and
(IV) health care proxies.
(ii) A description of Federal and State resources available to assist individuals and their families with advance care planning and advance directives, including--
(I) available State legal service organizations to assist individuals with advance care planning, including those organizations that receive funding pursuant to the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 93001 et seq.);
(II) website links or addresses for State-specific advance directive forms; and
(III) any additional information, as determined by the Secretary.
(B) UPDATE OF PAPER AND SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS- The Secretary shall include the information described in subparagraph (A) in all paper and electronic versions of the Medicare & You Handbook that are published on or after the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
RUMOR #3. The bill will give free health care to illegal immigrants (Absolutely no mention of aliens - legal or Illegal)
SEC. 152. PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE.
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(a) In General- Except as otherwise explicitly permitted by this Act and by subsequent regulations consistent with this Act, all health care and related services (including insurance coverage and public health activities) covered by this Act shall be provided without regard to personal characteristics extraneous to the provision of high quality health care or related services.
(b) Implementation- To implement the requirement set forth in subsection (a), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate such regulations as are necessary or appropriate to insure that all health care and related services (including insurance coverage and public health activities) covered by this Act are provided (whether directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements) without regard to personal characteristics extraneous to the provision of high quality health care or related services.
RUMOR #4. The government will have direct, real-time access to individual bank accounts (What this really allows is for an insurance card to be accessed, real-time, electronically. This is similar to what happens now when you present your insurance card at the Doctor's office, or hospital - except it will speed up the process.)
SEC. 163. ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION.
(a) Standardizing Electronic Administrative Transactions-
(1) IN GENERAL- Part C of title XI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1173 the following new section:
‘SEC. 1173A. STANDARDIZE ELECTRONIC ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSACTIONS.
‘(a) Standards for Financial and Administrative Transactions-
‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall adopt and regularly update standards consistent with the goals described in paragraph (2).
‘(2) GOALS FOR FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSACTIONS- The goals for standards under paragraph (1) are that such standards shall--
‘(A) be unique with no conflicting or redundant standards;
‘(B) be authoritative, permitting no additions or constraints for electronic transactions, including companion guides;
‘(C) be comprehensive, efficient and robust, requiring minimal augmentation by paper transactions or clarification by further communications;
‘(D) enable the real-time (or near real-time) determination of an individual’s financial responsibility at the point of service and, to the extent possible, prior to service, including whether the individual is eligible for a specific service with a specific physician at a specific facility, which may include utilization of a machine-readable health plan beneficiary identification card;
‘(E) enable, where feasible, near real-time adjudication of claims;
‘(F) provide for timely acknowledgment, response, and status reporting applicable to any electronic transaction deemed appropriate by the Secretary;
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‘(G) describe all data elements (such as reason and remark codes) in unambiguous terms, not permit optional fields, require that data elements be either required or conditioned upon set values in other fields, and prohibit additional conditions; and
2
‘(H) harmonize all common data elements across administrative and clinical transaction standards.
‘(3) TIME FOR ADOPTION- Not later than 2 years after the date of implementation of the X12 Version 5010 transaction standards implemented under this part, the Secretary shall adopt standards under this section.
‘(4) REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC STANDARDS- The standards under this section shall be developed, adopted and enforced so as to--
‘(A) clarify, refine, complete, and expand, as needed, the standards required under section 1173;
‘(B) require paper versions of standardized transactions to comply with the same standards as to data content such that a fully compliant, equivalent electronic transaction can be populated from the data from a paper version;
‘(C) enable electronic funds transfers, in order to allow automated reconciliation with the related health care payment and remittance advice;
‘(D) require timely and transparent claim and denial management processes, including tracking, adjudication, and appeal processing;
‘(E) require the use of a standard electronic transaction with which health care providers may quickly and efficiently enroll with a health plan to conduct the other electronic transactions provided for in this part; and
‘(F) provide for other requirements relating to administrative simplification as identified by the Secretary, in consultation with stakeholders.
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‘(5) BUILDING ON EXISTING STANDARDS- In developing the standards under this section, the Secretary shall build upon existing and planned standards.
1
‘(6) IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT- Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan for the implementation and enforcement, by not later than 5 years after such date of enactment, of the standards under this section. Such plan shall include--
‘(A) a process and timeframe with milestones for developing the complete set of standards;
‘(B) an expedited upgrade program for continually developing and approving additions and modifications to the standards as often as annually to improve their quality and extend their functionality to meet evolving requirements in health care;
‘(C) programs to provide incentives for, and ease the burden of, implementation for certain health care providers, with special consideration given to such providers serving rural or underserved areas and ensure coordination with standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria being adopted under the HITECH Act;
‘(D) programs to provide incentives for, and ease the burden of, health care providers who volunteer to participate in the process of setting standards for electronic transactions;
‘(E) an estimate of total funds needed to ensure timely completion of the implementation plan; and
‘(F) an enforcement process that includes timely investigation of complaints, random audits to ensure compliance, civil monetary and programmatic penalties for non-compliance consistent with existing laws and regulations, and a fair and reasonable appeals process building off of enforcement provisions under this part.
‘(b) Limitations on Use of Data- Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the use of information collected under this section in a manner that would adversely affect any individual.
‘(c) Protection of Data- The Secretary shall ensure (through the promulgation of regulations or otherwise) that all data collected pursuant to subsection (a) are--
‘(1) used and disclosed in a manner that meets the HIPAA privacy and security law (as defined in section 3009(a)(2) of the Public Health Service Act), including any privacy or security standard adopted under section 3004 of such Act; and
‘(2) protected from all inappropriate internal use by any entity that collects, stores, or receives the data, including use of such data in determinations of eligibility (or continued eligibility) in health plans, and from other inappropriate uses, as defined by the Secretary.’.
(2) DEFINITIONS- Section 1171 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘with reference to’ and all that follows and inserting ‘with reference to a transaction or data element of health information in section 1173 means implementation specifications, certification criteria, operating rules, messaging formats, codes, and code sets adopted or established by the Secretary for the electronic exchange and use of information’; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘(9) OPERATING RULES- The term ‘operating rules’ means business rules for using and processing transactions. Operating rules should address the following:
‘(A) Requirements for data content using available and established national standards.
‘(B) Infrastructure requirements that establish best practices for streamlining data flow to yield timely execution of transactions.
‘(C) Policies defining the transaction related rights and responsibilities for entities that are transmitting or receiving data.’.
(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 1179(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-8(a)) is amended, in the matter before paragraph (1)--
(A) by inserting ‘on behalf of an individual’ after ‘1978)’; and
(B) by inserting ‘on behalf of an individual’ after ‘for a financial institution.’
(b) Standards for Claims Attachments and Coordination of Benefits -
(1) STANDARD FOR HEALTH CLAIMS ATTACHMENTS- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall promulgate a final rule to establish a standard for health claims attachment transaction described in section 1173(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-2(a)(2)(B)) and coordination of benefits.
(2) REVISION IN PROCESSING PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS-
(A) IN GENERAL- Section 1179 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-8) is amended, in the matter before paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ‘or is engaged’ and inserting ‘and is engaged’; and
(ii) by inserting ‘(other than as a business associate for a covered entity)’ after ‘for a financial institution’.
(B) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall apply to transactions occurring on or after such date (not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act) as the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall specify.
Hopefully, this will stop people from spreading nasty, untrue e-mails that spur hatred and not much else. I have picked the 4 areas that seem to have caused the most concern and fueled the most hatred. These are the ones that, for whatever reason, have caused otherwise sane, rational people to attend Town Hall Meetings and scream obscenities at their congressional representatives, or make posters of our President with Hitler mustaches declaring him and members of his party to be either Socialists or Fascists.
While our country has been incredibly fractured and divided since Bill Clinton was elected President, the rift seems to be worsening in the few short months since Barrack Obama took office.
Many friends have quarreled with each other over the dogma of their respective parties and have accused each other of not being Patriotic or worse - simply because of disagreements over policy. In my own case, I served in the Marines, yet was accused by several friends who had never served in the military of not being Patriotic because I disagreed with President Bush when he decided to enter Iraq.
Now, the Health Care issue has divided thousands of people - yet most have not even taken the time to read the provisions that they most object to. Instead, they have simply listened to "The Talking Heads" either on Radio or Television, who have incited them for their own political reasons. I've received e-mail from incredibly bright people I've known for most of my life that contain such inaccuracies about the health care reform bill, I am shocked. I can only attribute it to them leading busy lives and turning to the station(s) that espouse their same general political philosophy. How sad it is that these once open minds have been closed to any other opinions.
I suppose I write not only because I would like people to actually READ the truth, but because I am worried about the future of our President. Stories are already surfacing about the rise in militia; attempts by gun and knife carrying people trying to get in to town halls; and a resurgence in neo-nazi groups and the KKK. With out of control broadcasters demeaning everything our first African-American President is attempting to do, can an attempt on his life be far behind? Will this be a return to the ugliness of the sixties - when 3 of our brightest leaders were assassinated? Let's pray it isn't.
Here are the ACTUAL excerpts from the Health Care bill (copied and pasted on Sunday, August 16, 2009), for the ugliest rumors/lies going around:
RUMOR #1. The bill would make private health insurance illegal. (Not TRUE. It protects peoples current coverage, and if you would rather stay with current coverage it is fine)Here's the applicable section, from the bill.
SEC. 102. PROTECTING THE CHOICE TO KEEP CURRENT COVERAGE.
(a) Grandfathered Health Insurance Coverage Defined- Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for purposes of establishing acceptable coverage under this division, the term ‘grandfathered health insurance coverage’ means individual health insurance coverage that is offered and in force and effect before the first day of Y1 if the following conditions are met:
(1) LIMITATION ON NEW ENROLLMENT-
(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in this paragraph, the individual health insurance issuer offering such coverage does not enroll any individual in such coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day of Y1.
(B) DEPENDENT COVERAGE PERMITTED- Subparagraph (A) shall not affect the subsequent enrollment of a dependent of an individual who is covered as of such first day.
(2) LIMITATION ON CHANGES IN TERMS OR CONDITIONS- Subject to paragraph (3) and except as required by law, the issuer does not change any of its terms or conditions, including benefits and cost-sharing, from those in effect as of the day before the first day of Y1.
(3) RESTRICTIONS ON PREMIUM INCREASES- The issuer cannot vary the percentage increase in the premium for a risk group of enrollees in specific grandfathered health insurance coverage without changing the premium for all enrollees in the same risk group at the same rate, as specified by the Commissioner.
(b) Grace Period for Current Employment-based Health Plans-
(1) GRACE PERIOD-
(A) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner shall establish a grace period whereby, for plan years beginning after the end of the 5-year period beginning with Y1, an employment-based health plan in operation as of the day before the first day of Y1 must meet the same requirements as apply to a qualified health benefits plan under section 101, including the essential benefit package requirement under section 121.
(B) EXCEPTION FOR LIMITED BENEFITS PLANS- Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an employment-based health plan in which the coverage consists only of one or more of the following:
(i) Any coverage described in section 3001(a)(1)(B)(ii)(IV) of division B of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).
(ii) Excepted benefits (as defined in section 733(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), including coverage under a specified disease or illness policy described in paragraph (3)(A) of such section.
(iii) Such other limited benefits as the Commissioner may specify.
In no case shall an employment-based health plan in which the coverage consists only of one or more of the coverage or benefits described in clauses (i) through (iii) be treated as acceptable coverage under this division
(2) TRANSITIONAL TREATMENT AS ACCEPTABLE COVERAGE- During the grace period specified in paragraph (1)(A), an employment-based health plan that is described in such paragraph shall be treated as acceptable coverage under this division.
(c) Limitation on Individual Health Insurance Coverage-
(1) IN GENERAL- Individual health insurance coverage that is not grandfathered health insurance coverage under subsection (a) may only be offered on or after the first day of Y1 as an Exchange-participating health benefits plan.
(2) SEPARATE, EXCEPTED COVERAGE PERMITTED- Excepted benefits (as defined in section 2791(c) of the Public Health Service Act) are not included within the definition of health insurance coverage. Nothing in paragraph (1) shall prevent the offering, other than through the Health Insurance Exchange, of excepted benefits so long as it is offered and priced separately from health insurance coverage.
RUMOR #2. The Health Care bill would set up government death panels (OBVIOUSLY, NOT TRUE. WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS ALLOW THIS PROGRAM TO PAY DOCTORS TO TALK TO THE PATIENT ABOUT ENd OF LIFE ISSUES. IT IS NOT MANDATORY, EITHER) As a side note less than 40% of all Americans have "advance care directives" drawn up - or have spoken to their loved ones about their wishes.HERE is the section and what it says:
SEC. 1233. ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION.
(a) Medicare-Comments
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended--
(A) in subsection (s)(2)-
(i) by striking ‘and’ at the end of subparagraph (DD);
(ii) by adding ‘and’ at the end of subparagraph (EE)
(iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
‘(FF) advance care planning consultation (as defined in subsection (hhh)(1));’; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
‘Advance Care Planning Consultation
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‘(hhh)(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the term ‘advance care planning consultation’ means a consultation between the individual and a practitioner described in paragraph (2) regarding advance care planning, if, subject to paragraph (3), the individual involved has not had such a consultation within the last 5 years. Such consultation shall include the following:
‘(A) An explanation by the practitioner of advance care planning, including key questions and considerations, important steps, and suggested people to talk to.
‘(B) An explanation by the practitioner of advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney, and their uses.
‘(C) An explanation by the practitioner of the role and responsibilities of a health care proxy.
‘(D) The provision by the practitioner of a list of national and State-specific resources to assist consumers and their families with advance care planning, including the national toll-free hotline, the advance care planning clearinghouses, and State legal service organizations (including those funded through the Older Americans Act of 1965).
‘(E) An explanation by the practitioner of the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, including palliative care and hospice, and benefits for such services and supports that are available under this title.
‘(F)(i) Subject to clause (ii), an explanation of orders regarding life sustaining treatment or similar orders, which shall include
‘(I) the reasons why the development of such an order is beneficial to the individual and the individual’s family and the reasons why such an order should be updated periodically as the health of the individual changes;
‘(II) the information needed for an individual or legal surrogate to make informed decisions regarding the completion of such an order; and
‘(III) the identification of resources that an individual may use to determine the requirements of the State in which such individual resides so that the treatment wishes of that individual will be carried out if the individual is unable to communicate those wishes, including requirements regarding the designation of a surrogate decisionmaker (also known as a health care proxy).
‘(ii) The Secretary shall limit the requirement for explanations under clause (i) to consultations furnished in a State--
‘(I) in which all legal barriers have been addressed for enabling orders for life sustaining treatment to constitute a set of medical orders respected across all care settings; and
‘(II) that has in effect a program for orders for life sustaining treatment described in clause (iii).
‘(iii) A program for orders for life sustaining treatment for a States described in this clause is a program that--
‘(I) ensures such orders are standardized and uniquely identifiable throughout the State;
‘(II) distributes or makes accessible such orders to physicians and other health professionals that (acting within the scope of the professional’s authority under State law) may sign orders for life sustaining treatment;
‘(III) provides training for health care professionals across the continuum of care about the goals and use of orders for life sustaining treatment; and
‘(IV) is guided by a coalition of stakeholders includes representatives from emergency medical services, emergency department physicians or nurses, state long-term care association, state medical association, state surveyors, agency responsible for senior services, state department of health, state hospital association, home health association, state bar association, and state hospice association.
‘(2) A practitioner described in this paragraph is--
‘(A) a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)); and
‘(B) a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant who has the authority under State law to sign orders for life sustaining treatments.
‘(3)(A) An initial preventive physical examination under subsection (WW), including any related discussion during such examination, shall not be considered an advance care planning consultation for purposes of applying the 5-year limitation under paragraph (1).
‘(B) An advance care planning consultation with respect to an individual may be conducted more frequently than provided under paragraph (1) if there is a significant change in the health condition of the individual, including diagnosis of a chronic, progressive, life-limiting disease, a life-threatening or terminal diagnosis or life-threatening injury, or upon admission to a skilled nursing facility, a long-term care facility (as defined by the Secretary), or a hospice program.
‘(4) A consultation under this subsection may include the formulation of an order regarding life sustaining treatment or a similar order.
‘(5)(A) For purposes of this section, the term ‘order regarding life sustaining treatment’ means, with respect to an individual, an actionable medical order relating to the treatment of that individual that--
‘(i) is signed and dated by a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) or another health care professional (as specified by the Secretary and who is acting within the scope of the professional’s authority under State law in signing such an order, including a nurse practitioner or physician assistant) and is in a form that permits it to stay with the individual and be followed by health care professionals and providers across the continuum of care;
‘(ii) effectively communicates the individual’s preferences regarding life sustaining treatment, including an indication of the treatment and care desired by the individual;
‘(iii) is uniquely identifiable and standardized within a given locality, region, or State (as identified by the Secretary); and
‘(iv) may incorporate any advance directive (as defined in section 1866(f)(3)) if executed by the individual.
‘(B) The level of treatment indicated under subparagraph (A)(ii) may range from an indication for full treatment to an indication to limit some or all or specified interventions. Such indicated levels of treatment may include indications respecting, among other items--
‘(i) the intensity of medical intervention if the patient is pulse less, apneic, or has serious cardiac or pulmonary problems;
‘(ii) the individual’s desire regarding transfer to a hospital or remaining at the current care setting;
‘(iii) the use of antibiotics; and
‘(iv) the use of artificially administered nutrition and hydration.’.
(2) PAYMENT- Section 1848(j)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(j)(3)) is amended by inserting ‘(2)(FF),’ after ‘(2)(EE),’.
(3) FREQUENCY LIMITATION- Section 1862(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)) is amended-
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (N), by striking ‘and’ at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (O) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting ‘, and’; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
‘(P) in the case of advance care planning consultations (as defined in section 1861(hhh)(1)), which are performed more frequently than is covered under such section;’; and
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘or (K)’ and inserting ‘(K), or (P)’.
(4) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to consultations furnished on or after January 1, 2011.
(b) Expansion of Physician Quality Reporting Initiative for End of Life Care-
(1) Physician’S QUALITY REPORTING INITIATIVE- Section 1848(k)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(k)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
‘(3) Physician’S QUALITY REPORTING INITIATIVE-
‘(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of reporting data on quality measures for covered professional services furnished during 2011 and any subsequent year, to the extent that measures are available, the Secretary shall include quality measures on end of life care and advanced care planning that have been adopted or endorsed by a consensus-based organization, if appropriate. Such measures shall measure both the creation of and adherence to orders for life-sustaining treatment.
‘(B) PROPOSED SET OF MEASURES- The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register proposed quality measures on end of life care and advanced care planning that the Secretary determines are described in subparagraph (A) and would be appropriate for eligible professionals to use to submit data to the Secretary. The Secretary shall provide for a period of public comment on such set of measures before finalizing such proposed measures.’.
(c) Inclusion of Information in Medicare & You Handbook-
(1) MEDICARE & YOU HANDBOOK-
(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall update the online version of the Medicare & You Handbook to include the following:
(i) An explanation of advance care planning and advance directives, including--
(I) living wills;
(II) durable power of attorney;
(III) orders of life-sustaining treatment; and
(IV) health care proxies.
(ii) A description of Federal and State resources available to assist individuals and their families with advance care planning and advance directives, including--
(I) available State legal service organizations to assist individuals with advance care planning, including those organizations that receive funding pursuant to the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 93001 et seq.);
(II) website links or addresses for State-specific advance directive forms; and
(III) any additional information, as determined by the Secretary.
(B) UPDATE OF PAPER AND SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS- The Secretary shall include the information described in subparagraph (A) in all paper and electronic versions of the Medicare & You Handbook that are published on or after the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
RUMOR #3. The bill will give free health care to illegal immigrants (Absolutely no mention of aliens - legal or Illegal)
SEC. 152. PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE.
7
(a) In General- Except as otherwise explicitly permitted by this Act and by subsequent regulations consistent with this Act, all health care and related services (including insurance coverage and public health activities) covered by this Act shall be provided without regard to personal characteristics extraneous to the provision of high quality health care or related services.
(b) Implementation- To implement the requirement set forth in subsection (a), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate such regulations as are necessary or appropriate to insure that all health care and related services (including insurance coverage and public health activities) covered by this Act are provided (whether directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements) without regard to personal characteristics extraneous to the provision of high quality health care or related services.
RUMOR #4. The government will have direct, real-time access to individual bank accounts (What this really allows is for an insurance card to be accessed, real-time, electronically. This is similar to what happens now when you present your insurance card at the Doctor's office, or hospital - except it will speed up the process.)
SEC. 163. ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION.
(a) Standardizing Electronic Administrative Transactions-
(1) IN GENERAL- Part C of title XI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1173 the following new section:
‘SEC. 1173A. STANDARDIZE ELECTRONIC ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSACTIONS.
‘(a) Standards for Financial and Administrative Transactions-
‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall adopt and regularly update standards consistent with the goals described in paragraph (2).
‘(2) GOALS FOR FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSACTIONS- The goals for standards under paragraph (1) are that such standards shall--
‘(A) be unique with no conflicting or redundant standards;
‘(B) be authoritative, permitting no additions or constraints for electronic transactions, including companion guides;
‘(C) be comprehensive, efficient and robust, requiring minimal augmentation by paper transactions or clarification by further communications;
‘(D) enable the real-time (or near real-time) determination of an individual’s financial responsibility at the point of service and, to the extent possible, prior to service, including whether the individual is eligible for a specific service with a specific physician at a specific facility, which may include utilization of a machine-readable health plan beneficiary identification card;
‘(E) enable, where feasible, near real-time adjudication of claims;
‘(F) provide for timely acknowledgment, response, and status reporting applicable to any electronic transaction deemed appropriate by the Secretary;
2
‘(G) describe all data elements (such as reason and remark codes) in unambiguous terms, not permit optional fields, require that data elements be either required or conditioned upon set values in other fields, and prohibit additional conditions; and
2
‘(H) harmonize all common data elements across administrative and clinical transaction standards.
‘(3) TIME FOR ADOPTION- Not later than 2 years after the date of implementation of the X12 Version 5010 transaction standards implemented under this part, the Secretary shall adopt standards under this section.
‘(4) REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC STANDARDS- The standards under this section shall be developed, adopted and enforced so as to--
‘(A) clarify, refine, complete, and expand, as needed, the standards required under section 1173;
‘(B) require paper versions of standardized transactions to comply with the same standards as to data content such that a fully compliant, equivalent electronic transaction can be populated from the data from a paper version;
‘(C) enable electronic funds transfers, in order to allow automated reconciliation with the related health care payment and remittance advice;
‘(D) require timely and transparent claim and denial management processes, including tracking, adjudication, and appeal processing;
‘(E) require the use of a standard electronic transaction with which health care providers may quickly and efficiently enroll with a health plan to conduct the other electronic transactions provided for in this part; and
‘(F) provide for other requirements relating to administrative simplification as identified by the Secretary, in consultation with stakeholders.
1
‘(5) BUILDING ON EXISTING STANDARDS- In developing the standards under this section, the Secretary shall build upon existing and planned standards.
1
‘(6) IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT- Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan for the implementation and enforcement, by not later than 5 years after such date of enactment, of the standards under this section. Such plan shall include--
‘(A) a process and timeframe with milestones for developing the complete set of standards;
‘(B) an expedited upgrade program for continually developing and approving additions and modifications to the standards as often as annually to improve their quality and extend their functionality to meet evolving requirements in health care;
‘(C) programs to provide incentives for, and ease the burden of, implementation for certain health care providers, with special consideration given to such providers serving rural or underserved areas and ensure coordination with standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria being adopted under the HITECH Act;
‘(D) programs to provide incentives for, and ease the burden of, health care providers who volunteer to participate in the process of setting standards for electronic transactions;
‘(E) an estimate of total funds needed to ensure timely completion of the implementation plan; and
‘(F) an enforcement process that includes timely investigation of complaints, random audits to ensure compliance, civil monetary and programmatic penalties for non-compliance consistent with existing laws and regulations, and a fair and reasonable appeals process building off of enforcement provisions under this part.
‘(b) Limitations on Use of Data- Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the use of information collected under this section in a manner that would adversely affect any individual.
‘(c) Protection of Data- The Secretary shall ensure (through the promulgation of regulations or otherwise) that all data collected pursuant to subsection (a) are--
‘(1) used and disclosed in a manner that meets the HIPAA privacy and security law (as defined in section 3009(a)(2) of the Public Health Service Act), including any privacy or security standard adopted under section 3004 of such Act; and
‘(2) protected from all inappropriate internal use by any entity that collects, stores, or receives the data, including use of such data in determinations of eligibility (or continued eligibility) in health plans, and from other inappropriate uses, as defined by the Secretary.’.
(2) DEFINITIONS- Section 1171 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘with reference to’ and all that follows and inserting ‘with reference to a transaction or data element of health information in section 1173 means implementation specifications, certification criteria, operating rules, messaging formats, codes, and code sets adopted or established by the Secretary for the electronic exchange and use of information’; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘(9) OPERATING RULES- The term ‘operating rules’ means business rules for using and processing transactions. Operating rules should address the following:
‘(A) Requirements for data content using available and established national standards.
‘(B) Infrastructure requirements that establish best practices for streamlining data flow to yield timely execution of transactions.
‘(C) Policies defining the transaction related rights and responsibilities for entities that are transmitting or receiving data.’.
(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 1179(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-8(a)) is amended, in the matter before paragraph (1)--
(A) by inserting ‘on behalf of an individual’ after ‘1978)’; and
(B) by inserting ‘on behalf of an individual’ after ‘for a financial institution.’
(b) Standards for Claims Attachments and Coordination of Benefits -
(1) STANDARD FOR HEALTH CLAIMS ATTACHMENTS- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall promulgate a final rule to establish a standard for health claims attachment transaction described in section 1173(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-2(a)(2)(B)) and coordination of benefits.
(2) REVISION IN PROCESSING PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS-
(A) IN GENERAL- Section 1179 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-8) is amended, in the matter before paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ‘or is engaged’ and inserting ‘and is engaged’; and
(ii) by inserting ‘(other than as a business associate for a covered entity)’ after ‘for a financial institution’.
(B) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall apply to transactions occurring on or after such date (not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act) as the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall specify.
Friday, July 10, 2009
TRAGEDY
The young couple who live next door to us have been operating a day care center in their home since shortly after they purchased the home a few years back. They have 3 children of their own, and are very nice - though we don't come into much contact with them. I know that the husband was very helpful during a major ice storm we experienced in December of 2007, assisting us by helping cut down the remnants of two trees fallen from the weight of the ice. We've exchanged pleasantries with them on numerous occasions.
Yesterday an incredible tragedy occurred in their home. One of the children they were watching as part of their Day Care died. The child was only 4 months old. The child was dropped off at 7:30 AM by its mother. My neighbor put the child down for a nap at a little after 8. When he still hadn't awoken at 11:00, after having looked in on him an hour earlier, she saw he wasn't breathing and began administering CPR. At the same time, she called for another caregiver to call 911.
Fire, police, and paramedics arrived within minutes and rushed into the home. As they felt for the child's heartbeat and pulse, and other vital signs, it was apparent the child had already expired. As one paramedic told my neighbor, "He was cold to the touch, there was nothing we could do." My wife, who had gone next door to see if she could help as the trucks and ambulance arrived, caught my neighbor as she began to feint upon hearing this grim news.
I was standing in my front yard as the mother of the child received the news from a fireman that her baby was gone. Her wails of sorrow echoed through our neighborhood, and those of us gathered in our yard knew then that the news was bad. I simply hung my head and said a quick prayer for the mother, asking God to give her strength for whatever it was she had to face. At that point, neither I, nor the other neighbors who had come outside to see why there were firetrucks, police cars, and an ambulance gathered, knew what had happened. We only knew that those heartbreaking cries of a distraught young woman meant unspeakable sadness.
My wife eventually came outside and told me what had happened. My neighbor from across the street joined us and we spoke for a few minutes. Then my wife returned to my neighbors home. Knowing there wasn't anything I could do, I finally went back inside my own house, and my wife returned some 20 minutes later.
There isn't much one can say at a time like this. Neither of us knew either the deceased child or his mother. We know our neighbors where the tragedy took place, but not very well. Death, when it occurs close by, is sobering. This is the third death in less than 2 years involving someone in our neighborhood. The wives of two of our "Across the street" neighbors have gone to their final resting place - and now, this 4 month old child.
I suppose it just reinforces that we should never take life for granted. We should treasure every moment we have with our loved ones, and live our own life to the fullest. I was fortunate to learn that lesson almost 10 years ago, but I, too, sometimes forget. Too often some people never learn that lesson. They spend all their time acquiring things, or money, and forget about what is most important - Family and Friends. Don't forget to tell someone you love them today. And tomorrow. And the day after that. You never know when the last time you see them will be.
Old Fart Mike
Yesterday an incredible tragedy occurred in their home. One of the children they were watching as part of their Day Care died. The child was only 4 months old. The child was dropped off at 7:30 AM by its mother. My neighbor put the child down for a nap at a little after 8. When he still hadn't awoken at 11:00, after having looked in on him an hour earlier, she saw he wasn't breathing and began administering CPR. At the same time, she called for another caregiver to call 911.
Fire, police, and paramedics arrived within minutes and rushed into the home. As they felt for the child's heartbeat and pulse, and other vital signs, it was apparent the child had already expired. As one paramedic told my neighbor, "He was cold to the touch, there was nothing we could do." My wife, who had gone next door to see if she could help as the trucks and ambulance arrived, caught my neighbor as she began to feint upon hearing this grim news.
I was standing in my front yard as the mother of the child received the news from a fireman that her baby was gone. Her wails of sorrow echoed through our neighborhood, and those of us gathered in our yard knew then that the news was bad. I simply hung my head and said a quick prayer for the mother, asking God to give her strength for whatever it was she had to face. At that point, neither I, nor the other neighbors who had come outside to see why there were firetrucks, police cars, and an ambulance gathered, knew what had happened. We only knew that those heartbreaking cries of a distraught young woman meant unspeakable sadness.
My wife eventually came outside and told me what had happened. My neighbor from across the street joined us and we spoke for a few minutes. Then my wife returned to my neighbors home. Knowing there wasn't anything I could do, I finally went back inside my own house, and my wife returned some 20 minutes later.
There isn't much one can say at a time like this. Neither of us knew either the deceased child or his mother. We know our neighbors where the tragedy took place, but not very well. Death, when it occurs close by, is sobering. This is the third death in less than 2 years involving someone in our neighborhood. The wives of two of our "Across the street" neighbors have gone to their final resting place - and now, this 4 month old child.
I suppose it just reinforces that we should never take life for granted. We should treasure every moment we have with our loved ones, and live our own life to the fullest. I was fortunate to learn that lesson almost 10 years ago, but I, too, sometimes forget. Too often some people never learn that lesson. They spend all their time acquiring things, or money, and forget about what is most important - Family and Friends. Don't forget to tell someone you love them today. And tomorrow. And the day after that. You never know when the last time you see them will be.
Old Fart Mike
Thursday, July 9, 2009
A little about a lot
Fame, Fortune, & Spectacle. Many of us seek fame and fortune - at least during the early years of our lives. Some reach both. Some achieve one, or the other. Most don't get either. Based on the Life and Death of Michael Jackson that has consumed almost all of the world in the past two weeks, most that DO achieve fame and fortune are spared the spectacle that has transpired - and likely will continue - over the Bizarre entertainer.
The coverage of his memorial service at the Staples Center played out for over two hours and was carried on the major network channels as well as the cable news networks. Though I have never been to a memorial service for anyone famous, the ones I have been to celebrate the person's life with a bit more emphasis on his/her spiritual connection, and less on entertainment for the masses. Of course, Mr. Jackson was an entertainer - and likely wasn't too involved with a church congregation. However, though I enjoyed some of the performances, some of it was a bit over the top. Can you say Crass Commercialism when the young singer(his name escapes me) was brought out by Danny Ortega? This kid was apparently going to be on the stage with Michael and he does have the pipes to belt out a song - but come on.
I also know that the final chapter on this story hasn't been written. More will come out about his use of drugs. There will be allegations. There will be stories about who the real father of his children is. Stories will surface about further child molestation accusations. How much money he is worth will be a constant source of news. Who will ultimately end up as guardian of his 3 children will be in the headlines. It is all a spectacle. It is all sad. It is all tiresome.
PAUL MCCARTNEY COMING TO TULSA. Since we opened our arena last August, we have had several Big Name acts come to town. The best, in my opinion was Bruce Springsteen - though a case could be made for the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, or Celine Dion, depending on the type of music you like. Now, Paul McCartney. Coming August 17th. The day before my 63rd birthday. HINT - in case anybody would like to contribute to the "Old Fart Mike Fund to see McCartney".
MY DOG IS CONSTIPATED. Geez. What do you do when your aged Golden Retriever is having trouble pooping? This has never been the case in the past. In fact, this was one of her - and her brother's (Rest his soul) special talents. This reminds me of a funny story. Basically, we had a late spring cold snap a few years back. It was freezing for 3 or 4 days in a row, so I didn't get into the backyard to scoop poop left by my dogs. My lawn guy came after a few days and brought a first time helper to mow. As I approached them with a drink, the helper said, "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure", I replied. "How big are the dinosaurs that live with you?", he asked. That is a testament to the sheer amount of poop my dogs would emit. Anywho, gotta call the vet and ask him what to do about dog constipation.
STUCK IN THE HOUSE. My street is torn up. The city began this project late last summer. It came to a screeching halt in November when a story broke about city workers taking bribes for funneling jobs to contractors for road jobs. The mayor, understandably was upset and called stoppage on ALL city road work until she could sort through it all, and get new contractors hired. So, they began anew in May. What they have found is that my street is comprised mostly of clay and that the previous asphalt was laid down right on top of said clay. As they tore it up, and big trucks moved onto the street, incredible gaping ruts developed. Yesterday it rained. This morning it rained some more. Yesterday, in anticipation of my operation Monday I went to the grocery store to stock up. I almost got stuck in the crevices that have developed on my street that are now as deep as two to three feet. This morning, one of the city workers driving in front of my house, shortly after telling my bride they were going to be bringing in rock to stabilize the street, got his pick-up stuck. It was right in front of my house.
IN MY NEXT LIFE...I want to come back as a Meteorologist. Yesterday morning, I had just gotten to the weather page in the morning newspaper when I heard the rumble of thunder. I looked again at the days forecast to make sure I had read it right. It said "0% chance of precipitation". It rained off and on until about 2:30 pm. This morning, the exact same thing occurred - except it stopped raining at about 10:00 AM. Being a weather forecaster is a job where you only have to be right about 20% of the time.
Old Fart Mike
The coverage of his memorial service at the Staples Center played out for over two hours and was carried on the major network channels as well as the cable news networks. Though I have never been to a memorial service for anyone famous, the ones I have been to celebrate the person's life with a bit more emphasis on his/her spiritual connection, and less on entertainment for the masses. Of course, Mr. Jackson was an entertainer - and likely wasn't too involved with a church congregation. However, though I enjoyed some of the performances, some of it was a bit over the top. Can you say Crass Commercialism when the young singer(his name escapes me) was brought out by Danny Ortega? This kid was apparently going to be on the stage with Michael and he does have the pipes to belt out a song - but come on.
I also know that the final chapter on this story hasn't been written. More will come out about his use of drugs. There will be allegations. There will be stories about who the real father of his children is. Stories will surface about further child molestation accusations. How much money he is worth will be a constant source of news. Who will ultimately end up as guardian of his 3 children will be in the headlines. It is all a spectacle. It is all sad. It is all tiresome.
PAUL MCCARTNEY COMING TO TULSA. Since we opened our arena last August, we have had several Big Name acts come to town. The best, in my opinion was Bruce Springsteen - though a case could be made for the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, or Celine Dion, depending on the type of music you like. Now, Paul McCartney. Coming August 17th. The day before my 63rd birthday. HINT - in case anybody would like to contribute to the "Old Fart Mike Fund to see McCartney".
MY DOG IS CONSTIPATED. Geez. What do you do when your aged Golden Retriever is having trouble pooping? This has never been the case in the past. In fact, this was one of her - and her brother's (Rest his soul) special talents. This reminds me of a funny story. Basically, we had a late spring cold snap a few years back. It was freezing for 3 or 4 days in a row, so I didn't get into the backyard to scoop poop left by my dogs. My lawn guy came after a few days and brought a first time helper to mow. As I approached them with a drink, the helper said, "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure", I replied. "How big are the dinosaurs that live with you?", he asked. That is a testament to the sheer amount of poop my dogs would emit. Anywho, gotta call the vet and ask him what to do about dog constipation.
STUCK IN THE HOUSE. My street is torn up. The city began this project late last summer. It came to a screeching halt in November when a story broke about city workers taking bribes for funneling jobs to contractors for road jobs. The mayor, understandably was upset and called stoppage on ALL city road work until she could sort through it all, and get new contractors hired. So, they began anew in May. What they have found is that my street is comprised mostly of clay and that the previous asphalt was laid down right on top of said clay. As they tore it up, and big trucks moved onto the street, incredible gaping ruts developed. Yesterday it rained. This morning it rained some more. Yesterday, in anticipation of my operation Monday I went to the grocery store to stock up. I almost got stuck in the crevices that have developed on my street that are now as deep as two to three feet. This morning, one of the city workers driving in front of my house, shortly after telling my bride they were going to be bringing in rock to stabilize the street, got his pick-up stuck. It was right in front of my house.
IN MY NEXT LIFE...I want to come back as a Meteorologist. Yesterday morning, I had just gotten to the weather page in the morning newspaper when I heard the rumble of thunder. I looked again at the days forecast to make sure I had read it right. It said "0% chance of precipitation". It rained off and on until about 2:30 pm. This morning, the exact same thing occurred - except it stopped raining at about 10:00 AM. Being a weather forecaster is a job where you only have to be right about 20% of the time.
Old Fart Mike
Monday, July 6, 2009
Birthday Reminder
A few years back, I signed on to one of those on-line "Birthday Reminder" services. I felt it would be a good way to get dates in front of me a week or so in advance of some of my friends birthdays. I have no trouble with my close relatives, of course, it was just my friends - particularly those that lived some distance from me, and whom I might not be in touch with that often.
Until a few days ago, I enjoyed receiving these reminders. They allowed me the opportunity to remember, in some way, friends of mine on their special day. At times, I'd send them a funny card. Other times, It'd simply be one of the on-line greetings that this service provided. And, for a very few, I'd pick up the phone, and place a call.
Why I didn't enjoy receiving the last reminder is because it was for a dear friend of mine who passed away about a year and a half ago. We had known each other for some 48 years at the time of his passing, but it was only in the last 5 years of his life that we became Best Friends. We met during our freshman year in high school and, though "friendly" were not what you might call friends. As I said, that didn't really occur until he and I started working together to plan our 40th high school reunion.
Since he remained in the same state where we grew up, and I moved to the middle of the country, we were separated by miles and miles. But with the magic of the telephone and the computer, we spoke virtually daily. The bond that formed between he and I through these calls and regular visits made us as close as brothers. It wasn't just our classmates and the reunions we spoke about, it was any and every thing. We laughed, and we cried together.
His death was unexpected. I was, in fact, going to meet up with him the very next day, as we were starting the plans for our next class reunion. Obviously, it didn't happen.
The reminder I received for his birthday, which would've been on July 8th triggered again just how much I miss my friend. I sometimes can go for a couple of days without thinking of him, but never longer. I would've already sent him his birthday card. A funny one because he and I had the same sense of humor. Last year, I went ahead and sent the card I had purchased before his death to his wife. She understood. I'll call her on Wednesday just to see how she, her kids, and the grandkids he never got to meet are doing. And I hope I won't cry.
Old Fart Mike
Until a few days ago, I enjoyed receiving these reminders. They allowed me the opportunity to remember, in some way, friends of mine on their special day. At times, I'd send them a funny card. Other times, It'd simply be one of the on-line greetings that this service provided. And, for a very few, I'd pick up the phone, and place a call.
Why I didn't enjoy receiving the last reminder is because it was for a dear friend of mine who passed away about a year and a half ago. We had known each other for some 48 years at the time of his passing, but it was only in the last 5 years of his life that we became Best Friends. We met during our freshman year in high school and, though "friendly" were not what you might call friends. As I said, that didn't really occur until he and I started working together to plan our 40th high school reunion.
Since he remained in the same state where we grew up, and I moved to the middle of the country, we were separated by miles and miles. But with the magic of the telephone and the computer, we spoke virtually daily. The bond that formed between he and I through these calls and regular visits made us as close as brothers. It wasn't just our classmates and the reunions we spoke about, it was any and every thing. We laughed, and we cried together.
His death was unexpected. I was, in fact, going to meet up with him the very next day, as we were starting the plans for our next class reunion. Obviously, it didn't happen.
The reminder I received for his birthday, which would've been on July 8th triggered again just how much I miss my friend. I sometimes can go for a couple of days without thinking of him, but never longer. I would've already sent him his birthday card. A funny one because he and I had the same sense of humor. Last year, I went ahead and sent the card I had purchased before his death to his wife. She understood. I'll call her on Wednesday just to see how she, her kids, and the grandkids he never got to meet are doing. And I hope I won't cry.
Old Fart Mike
Friday, June 26, 2009
The THRILLer is gone
They say that deaths of celebrities come in threes. Earlier this week, we had the passing of Ed McMahon, longtime sidekick of Johnny Carson, pitchman for Publisher's Clearing House, and one-time host of Star Search, a predecessor of Mega-hit American Idol. McMahon was 86 and had been ill for a while, so his death didn't come as a total surprise.
The second death, Farrah Fawcett, one-time star of Charlie's Angels and a pin-up girl on probably the best selling poster of all time, was announced yesterday morning. Her death also didn't come as a surprise, as she had been battling cancer for quite a while and, heroically made a film of her battle which aired just a few weeks ago on national television. Her long-time lover, Ryan O'Neal was with the 62 year old beauty when she passed.
The third death, however, shocked just about everyone. Michael Jackson, one of the biggest stars of the music industry in the last 30 years, died unexpectedly yesterday afternoon. The gloved one, which he was sometimes referred to, was only 50 years old and apparently died from cardiac arrest. If this initial cause of death turns out to be true, I will have something in common with Michael - besides, of course, my first name. At 53, I too died of Cardiac arrest. Fortunately, I was resuscitated. Michael Jackson, obviously was not.
Cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack. It is when your heart, instead of following it's normal electrical "beat" motion, simply quivers - then stops. A heart attack is when an artery becomes blocked - by a clot - shutting off the oxygen supply to other parts of the body. Cardiac arrest is fatal in almost 90% of cases - primarily because treatment is not begun soon enough to get the heart started. "Attacks" can also be fatal, of course, but not nearly as often. The preceding is, obviously, layman's terms but, hopefully, you get the idea. I know a little bit about each, simply because when you experience these things and survive them, you learn about them.
Anywho - the passing of Jackson was indeed a shocker. Anyone who watched the Motown 25th Anniversary Special on TV became an instant fan of Michael Jackson that night. It was an amazing show, made incredible by his performance of Billie Jean. That was our introduction to the incredible dance move called the "Moon walk". The crowd, like those millions of us watching at home, simply went wild. We knew that he could dance, but we had never, ever seen anything quite like that. It was otherworldly. I remember my mouth dropping open and looking over at my wife, whose mouth was in the same state.
The Thriller album, as well as the video, which played on the relatively new MTV, was unbelievable too. We, like just about everyone we knew bought that album, and had to fight our kids as to who would listen to it. We watched the "Thriller" video so many times on MTV it wasn't even funny. Everyone tried to learn how to do the Moon Walk. But no one could do it like Michael.
A few years later, his life started becoming weird though. The young, good-looking black kid, started having strange pictures appear - him with a chimp, named Bubbles, that he adopted. Then a photo of him supposedly asleep in a hypo-baric chamber. Next, his facial features started changing. Finally, he began to turn white.
His career fading, and his appearance getting increasingly odd, Michael, married Lisa-Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley - which many considered to be a P.R. stunt. Not surprisingly, the marriage ended rather quickly. Michael then married a nurse and became father to two children.
His saga became even more muddled with charges of child molestation - one where he settled with the young boys parents for a reported $4 millions; the other in court where he was acquitted.
An incredibly gifted performer, The King of Pop, who was adored across the world will thrill no more. The shame of it is that his legacy was tarnished by his oddities and suspect behavior.
Old Fart Mike
The second death, Farrah Fawcett, one-time star of Charlie's Angels and a pin-up girl on probably the best selling poster of all time, was announced yesterday morning. Her death also didn't come as a surprise, as she had been battling cancer for quite a while and, heroically made a film of her battle which aired just a few weeks ago on national television. Her long-time lover, Ryan O'Neal was with the 62 year old beauty when she passed.
The third death, however, shocked just about everyone. Michael Jackson, one of the biggest stars of the music industry in the last 30 years, died unexpectedly yesterday afternoon. The gloved one, which he was sometimes referred to, was only 50 years old and apparently died from cardiac arrest. If this initial cause of death turns out to be true, I will have something in common with Michael - besides, of course, my first name. At 53, I too died of Cardiac arrest. Fortunately, I was resuscitated. Michael Jackson, obviously was not.
Cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack. It is when your heart, instead of following it's normal electrical "beat" motion, simply quivers - then stops. A heart attack is when an artery becomes blocked - by a clot - shutting off the oxygen supply to other parts of the body. Cardiac arrest is fatal in almost 90% of cases - primarily because treatment is not begun soon enough to get the heart started. "Attacks" can also be fatal, of course, but not nearly as often. The preceding is, obviously, layman's terms but, hopefully, you get the idea. I know a little bit about each, simply because when you experience these things and survive them, you learn about them.
Anywho - the passing of Jackson was indeed a shocker. Anyone who watched the Motown 25th Anniversary Special on TV became an instant fan of Michael Jackson that night. It was an amazing show, made incredible by his performance of Billie Jean. That was our introduction to the incredible dance move called the "Moon walk". The crowd, like those millions of us watching at home, simply went wild. We knew that he could dance, but we had never, ever seen anything quite like that. It was otherworldly. I remember my mouth dropping open and looking over at my wife, whose mouth was in the same state.
The Thriller album, as well as the video, which played on the relatively new MTV, was unbelievable too. We, like just about everyone we knew bought that album, and had to fight our kids as to who would listen to it. We watched the "Thriller" video so many times on MTV it wasn't even funny. Everyone tried to learn how to do the Moon Walk. But no one could do it like Michael.
A few years later, his life started becoming weird though. The young, good-looking black kid, started having strange pictures appear - him with a chimp, named Bubbles, that he adopted. Then a photo of him supposedly asleep in a hypo-baric chamber. Next, his facial features started changing. Finally, he began to turn white.
His career fading, and his appearance getting increasingly odd, Michael, married Lisa-Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley - which many considered to be a P.R. stunt. Not surprisingly, the marriage ended rather quickly. Michael then married a nurse and became father to two children.
His saga became even more muddled with charges of child molestation - one where he settled with the young boys parents for a reported $4 millions; the other in court where he was acquitted.
An incredibly gifted performer, The King of Pop, who was adored across the world will thrill no more. The shame of it is that his legacy was tarnished by his oddities and suspect behavior.
Old Fart Mike
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