Here we go again

Here we go again

Friday, November 18, 2011

Maggie Mae

I had my first child in 1975. Jason Patrick Charlton was born on March 30, 1975. It just happened to be Easter Sunday when he FINALLY made his appearance in this world. He was 2 weeks overdue, according to my doctor, and I had been in labor for what seemed like a month....okay, it was 12 hours, but the longest 12 hours of my life! After being in labor all that time, He did not want to come out, so the doctor made a decision to take him caesarian section. He was showing signs of fetal distress, and I was all for whatever worked the quickest. They knocked me out, and the next thing I remember, someone was holding a baby in my face telling me it was over. Now, back in 1975, there was no such thing as ultrasound, so you found out the gender of your baby when it was born. I had hoped for a girl. I don't know why, all these years later, but that's what I wanted. This pretty baby they were holding in my face could have been a girl...but, alas, when I asked "What is it?", the nurse said with so much enthusiasm, "It's a BOY!!", all I could think to say was, "I really wanted a girl." My excuse is that I was under the influence of some pretty major drugs, but I have been ashamed of that remark for 36 years. I did ask if he was okay, and was relieved when told he was perfect.

Back in those days, a c-section baby was put in an incubator for 24 hours following birth, so I didn't even get to hold my baby until the following day. When they finally put him in my arms, I fell in love and couldn't have cared less that I had a boy, not the much desired girl. And I have been in love with that boy ever since that first touch.

In December of 1977, I was expecting my second child. Again, no way to know the gender of a baby until it was born, so I thought, I have a boy, I hope this is a girl! Justin Blake Charlton was born on December 19, 1977. This time, I wasn't disappointed though. I knew how wonderful little boys were, so I was thrilled that I had another healthy, beautiful little boy.

Jump to 2003. My older son, Jason, told me in March that I was FINALLY going to be a grandmother. Happy day! I was 49 years old, and yearning for a grandbaby to love. Technology has changed so much since the 1970's, parents can know the gender of their babies way before the baby is born. Yay!!! I'll know what color baby things to buy! Maybe it will be a girl!!! Well, Dad and Mom didn't want to know the gender of their baby until it was born. (Can you imagine?) So, on September 12th, 2003 Connor Anderson Charlton was born. I'M A GRANDMOTHER!!!! When I laid eyes on that beautiful little boy for the first time, my heart jumped into my throat, I literally choked on a sob, and cried like a baby. I fell in love all over again. And Connor has been a joy every day since!

Then, late in 2005, my younger son, Justin, told me it was going to happen again! Another grandchild to spoil! I am soooo blessed! On June 19, 2006, Riley Andrew Charlton was born. It happened again! Love at first sight! Another beautiful little boy in my life to love! Life is GOOD! Riley is a lot like his daddy, more quiet and reserved, but with a good sense of humor, and very sweet natured. Another joy!

Riley hadn't been with us very long, when his mommy and daddy told us they were going to have another baby. Once the shock wore off, I thought how blessed we were to be expecting a 3rd grandchild. We waited so long for grandchildren, and now we were expecting a third one! And it wasn't long until we found out, IT'S A GIRL!!!!!

On November 18, 2007, Maggie Mae Charlton came into this world, and our lives have been changed forever! I was 53 years old now, and FINALLY have a little girl to dress up, buy dolls for, play tea party with, have manicure/pedicure parties with, all the girly stuff! And she is a very girly girl! Yea me!

Maggie has a headful of curly, red hair, big blue eyes, and porcelain skin. She is so smart, it scares me sometimes. She's sassy, funny, and beautiful...and no, I'm not prejudiced, it's a fact! She's lovable, and loving. She's ornery, and sweet. She is my granddaughter, and I don't love her any more than I love those boys, but I love her differently. I'm a girly girl too, so it's nice to finally be able to play tea party, and dress up, as well as baseball and war, shooting Nerf guns at each other.

Today is Maggies 4th birthday, and I'm 1200 miles away from her physically, and that breaks my heart. But I'm so very happy she is part of our family, and I can't wait until I can give her a great big hug and kiss and tell her how much I love her, and how very blessed I am to have her in my life!

Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet Baby Girl!!! Nana loves you so very much!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Joseph Robert Fazek

Joseph Robert Fazek was born on November 11, 1969. He was the first grandchild born in our family, and the first boy born in our family. He made me an Aunt for the first time.  He was a much anticipated gift from God.

As Joey grew from a baby to a young boy, he exhibited a very outgoing personality, with a quick smile for everyone. He had been a "fussy" baby, to say the least, so his new emerging personality became such a pleasure to observe. The older he got, the louder he got, and he bacame the life of the party at every family gathering, and his presence was greatly anticipated. He started telling jokes when he was barely old enough to know what a joke was, and the older he got, the better he became at telling them. And he never ran out of them either!

Joey could sing really well. And he did it with volume! Didn't matter where he was, he sang with great gusto. Before he was old enough to drive, he would sometimes ride with me after church services and we would crank up the stereo and sing at the top of our lungs to such favorites as Def Leppard, Kiss, Aerosmith, to name a few. I imagine there were quite a few odd looks coming our way at red lights, but we didn't care.

When Joey was old enough to drive, my sister Kim bought him a tee shirt for Christmas that said "If you don't like the way I drive, stay off the sidewalk", and he wore it with pride! Several of us Aunts tried to teach him how to drive a stick shift, and he burned up at least one clutch trying. We finally quit offering, fearful of having to put more money in our cars.

Joey turned into a fine young man! And a very hairy young man. That became one of his nicknames, "Hairy". His most famous nickname, he gave himself..."The Faz". That was his take on the cool man of the time, The Fonz, from the Happy Days TV show. He wore that well, too. He really was a cool young dude.

After high school, Joey went to Bowling Green University, and we really missed him, being that far away. Every holiday, we looked forward to him coming home, and were sad to see him go back afterwards. Little did we know that was preparing us for greater absenses.

After Joey graduated from college, he was offered a position at K-Mart in New York, upper New York state, as a manager. We were so proud of him, but HATED that he had to move so far away. It was like the life of our parties was gone, and it was way too quiet at family gatherings that he couldn't make it home for. Boy, did we look forward to the ones he did get home for!

In March of 1995, the life of our party was taken from us suddenly, and permanently. Joey died unexpectedly from complications of Marfans Syndrome. It's a hereditary condition, and we knew he had it, but had been told his was a mild case, which turned out to be devestatingly incorrect information. (Abraham Lincoln is said to have  had Marfans Syndrome)

Tomorrow would have been Joey's birthday; he would have been 42 years old. He would have loved the "11/11/11" aspect of his birthday! He was only 25 when he died. And he took a piece of everyone who knew him with him. He was a very special person, just ask anyone who did know him. The world is a lesser place with him not here, but Heaven must have rejoiced to have him. He was a Christian. I know where he is, and I look forward to seeing him again some sweet day.

Joey, I love you and miss you horribly. We all do. Happy Birthday, Joey.

"And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day"

Monday, November 7, 2011

Part Two

The only thing worse than being sick in Florida in the Fall, is being sick in Ohio in the Fall. I keep telling myself that, hoping at some point I'll actually believe it myself.

When we were getting ready to leave Ohio, I told Dennis that I just knew I was getting something... I had those horrible telltale symptoms of a sinus infection/cold/respiratoryinfection/ whatever, starting behind my nose. And I had a scratchy throat and "swimmy" head going on. Sure enough, the day we left, I was sick. Dennis said maybe we should wait a day so I could rest, especially since we were planning on driving straight through, which would take about 20 hours, give or take. I protested, "I'll be fine!", so we left. Well, I haven't been fine since I uttered those three words 11 days ago.  But, I'm here, and the weather is unbelievably beautiful, and I haven't fallen over dead yet. Although, there was a day or two I may have missed a golden opportunity.

We had a nice Summer in Ohio. We spent time with our kids and grandkids, I spent quite a bit of time with my Mom, and Dennis put new floors down in our kitchen and the master bedroom. All of those things were great. Three months at home was just what I needed! And, to be perfectly honest, I was ready to head back to our home on wheels here in Fort Myers, Florida. The leaves had begun to fall, the air had a real chill in it, and it was only going to get worse. Perfect timing.

The resort we're staying at is the same one we stayed at for two months this summer. It was practically empty when we were here in June and July, but it's sure not now! The snowbirds have arrived! This is one busy place in the Fall and Winter months! Old people everywhere!  (Yes, I'm including Dennis in that group. Okay, me too.) But, everyone is really nice, so far, and there are lots of things to do, every day...if you aren't sick as a dog like I've been. We haven't participated in any of the extra curricular activities as of yet, mostly because I haven't felt like doing anything, but I also don't want to give this illness to anyone else either. I mean, someone was inconsiderate enough to give it to me, and it needs to stop somewhere, right? So, I've stayed "holed up" in the fifth wheel for 11 days. Getting tired of it, for sure!

So, I still don't have anything exciting to write about, but I'm hoping that very soon I can enrapture you with my tales of all the fun things we're doing here in our Winter home. Hang in there. I am!