Rob's Mom: Part 7: Funny Story we Heard at the Services

There were some funny things we heard about during my mom's services, and this story is one of them. While we were in the receiving line at the wake, a guy in his 40s came up to us and told us that he worked in my mom's house and remembers one incident fondly.
   He's an electrician, and he said that back when my dad was living (before Aug. 2008), Mom and Dad asked him to install a light in their corner kitchen cabinet (that had a gl
ass window in it to display the cups and dishes she had in there).
  So, he told us that he had to go up to the attic, and my dad went with him. Meanwhile, he said my mother was standing in the kitchen near the cabinet with a broom. She was tapping the ceiling near the cabinet so the electrician could find the spot to drill for the wires.
   He said that when he went up in the attic he found it quickly and marked the spot, and mom kept tapping the ceiling. She hollered from the kitchen that her arm was getting tired and wondered if she should keep going.The electrician said he looked at my dad to respond, and my dad smiled and yelled back, "Keep going! Keep going! We'll tell you when to stop!"  He said he and my dad had a good laugh in the attic as they continued to hear the broom handle hit the ceiling for awhile! :)
 
NEXT: Rob's Mom: Part 8: An Important Musical Sign from My Mom 

Signs from Spirits: Coins: My Dad and Sprite

Sprite: 12-23-96 to 7-8-13

  In last week's blog, we shared an amazing sign of a butterfly that came from our late dog Sprite who passed. This week, we got two more signs of reassurance from someone else that let us know Sprite is okay on the other side.

     On July 8, 2013 at 5:50 p.m. we had to say goodbye to our elder dachshund, Sprite. He was 16 1/2 years old and he was in failing health. For the year before I had to carry him up and downstairs, and the last several months I usually had to pick him up and carry him outside to do his business. Late in the mornings he would find the strength in his legs, but they were very weak. He had a bad heart murmur, kidney failure for over a year, suffered from a bad nosebleed the night before and wound up in the emergency room, and he had pretty much stopped eating for the week before. We knew it was time, although it tore at our hearts.

  On the day we brought our dog Sprite to the vet to say our final goodbye, I asked three spirits to come into the room and help Sprite cross over. One of them was my dad who died on August 2, 2008. When I was in the room I did feel my dad and the other two spirits (who I will write about in a long story later). All three took Sprite into the light and crossed him over that evening.

Message from my dad - 2008 Penny

CONFIRMATION FROM MY DAD -   On July 15, one week later, I received a confirmation from my dad that Sprite was happy, healthy and with him and the others. I was getting out of my car at Dunkin' Donuts to get a morning coffee and sitting on the ground right outside of the driver's side door was a shiny penny. I mentioned last week that coins are one sign that spirits use to let you know they're around and with you.

Sprite's butterfly visits Jill

One surefire way to know which spirit it is who sent you the message is to check the year on the penny. If it has a significance with a spirit, that's who it belongs to. The year on this shiny penny was "2008." The year my dad passed away. As soon as I picked up the penny, I heard my dad say "Sprite is here with me, and he's happy. You don't have to worry about him."  

CONFIRMATION FROM OUR FRIEND JILL - On July 22, we received this email from our friend Jill. She also got a visit from Sprite's spirit in the form of the same kind of buttlerfly that Sprite communicated with us. Jill wrote: "Just had to tell you that I was sitting out back on a lounge chair on Saturday. Not 5 minutes after reading your blog on Sprite, a yellow and black butterfly rested on my abdomen. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize what it was at first and I moved, sending it away.  But, I have seen it multiple times between our yard our neighbors yard over the weekend!

Remembering Dad on his Birthday- (It's all good)

Mom and Dad from 2003

Today, November 8th would have been my Dad's birthday. He would have been 83, but he passed three years ago. Although I really miss talking with him on the phone, I still know he's very much around.
  Having the ability to still communicate with him is an incredible blessing. He's helped me find things for my mother (who lives 400 miles away), given me many signs from playing with electricity to a cold hug, and a visible appearance in the light.
  Dad's memory lives on in the book I wrote involving a lot of the signs he's provided, and every time I read a book or write a story or press release for work. Every time I go to the comic book shop and get my new comics (every Wednesday night) I know that Dad is right there with me, as he was when he took me along and bought me comics at 7-11 on weekends.
  Dad touched so many people with his kindness, easy-going attitude, and dry sense of humor. He loved his Red Sox baseball, Patriots football, Celtics basketball, and mystery and action novels. He always provided for my mom, myself and my brothers, and let us enjoy 2 wonderful dogs growing up. He wrapped presents and always left the tags on them, too- and funny enough- last Christmas my mother found a brand new wallet he bought himself, and she gave it to me (from him) with the tag still on it in the "Dad Tradition."
  So today, I say "Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you."
  For those of you who lost your dad or your mom, just know that they're always with us. They've influenced who we are, and we are reminded of them in some of the things we do.

Seeing my Dad in Me

I was driving to work this morning and realized that I've really picked up one of my Dad's habits: His love of reading books. So much, that like my dad, when I'm waiting to go out, I sit reading a book. When I get in the pick-up truck, I have a book in hand that stays in the truck. If I'm sitting at a red light, I'll read a page. I take a paperback with me into the post office, supermarket or other stores (when I'm not with Tom) and read it while in line. Dad used to do that all the time, and I always wondered why he always had a book in hand. Now I know. It's a great escape and a way to entertain yourself without stressing about waiting in lines.
In fact, it was my dad that also bought comic books for my younger brother and I when we were little - and really got me into reading that way. As you know (if you read this blog) I still collect and enjoy comic books and graphic novels today.
I know that Dad is on the "other side" smiling everytime I pick up a book. Thanks, Dad.

Recognizing Dad's Birthday

Today would have been my Dad's 81st birthday.
Dad passed in August 2008, and its difficult for me to believe that, because I've been able to communicate with him since he passed. He's given lots of signs to both my mother and me, and has helped me find missing things that I've misplaced and Mom has misplaced, by telling me where they were. Having the ability to communicate with those who have passed makes it easier, although I miss giving Dad a hug and a kiss on the cheek hello and goodbye. I miss talking to Dad on the phone, even though he used to quickly hand the phone to my mother (Dad hated talking on the phone). I really miss Dad's letters, as he used to write once every 2 weeks. I saved all of those letters and treasure them.
Dad gave my 2 brothers and I a great childhood, and provided a good, safe home. We always had 2 things that remain my favorite today: Pop Tarts and comic books. :) I could go on and on.
Today, to honor my dad, I want to do something I would've done for him, buy a book by one of his favorite authors and read it for him. Happy Birthday, Dad. Love, Rob

Remembering My Dad, One Year Later

It was one year ago today, August 2, 2008 that I received the call that my Dad passed away. It was surreal to say the least, and shocking.
Today, one year later, my mom is still struggling to come to terms with it. Dad did a lot of things that Mom never did, like write checks and pay bills, take care of the cars, grocery shop, and more. Mom has been learning all of these things with the help of my younger brother Doug and older brother Steve, both of whom live in Massachusetts (and they have their own families). It's been a challenge at times, and my mother's emotional state has been up and down. I call her every day, and oftentimes she repeats the same things 3 and 4 times.
(PHOTO: One of my favorite pics of Dad and Mom, where Dad was laughing at something during opening presents at Christmas)
I miss my Dad every day. I miss the letters he would write me every couple of weeks, filled with newspaper clippings, a superhero comic book or two that he would go out of his way to surprise me with, or other little things. His letters were filled with what he and Mom have done, who they met, where they went out to shop or eat, or how they were fixing the house. Dad always wrote about what was happening in my hometown in Mass., or talk about the weather, ask about Tom and the dogs, or tell me about the latest book he was reading and how good it was. I'm now reading many of his books, and that's how I'm remembering him on this day.
I've been fortunate enough to communicate with my dad AFTER he passed, and many times. Dad's helped me find things, given me signs to calm my mother and shown me what life is like after our time on Earth. He's always here if I need him- all I have to do is call him, and that's a blessing. I think of dad in every comic book I read, every book I read, and every time I write something. He inspired me to read and write. It has been a year since he moved onto the next life, and I miss talking with him and getting his letters, but his memory lives forever. I love you, Dad.

READING: Tim Russert's "Wisdom of Our Fathers"

My brother Doug gave me Tim Russert's book "Wisdom of Our Fathers" for Christmas.
What a perfect gift at Christmas, especially because this was the first Christmas without my dad (who passed Aug. 2, 2008).
The book is a compilation of letters and stories from people around the U.S. that wrote to Tim Russert after reading his book about his father "Big Russ." (Tim passed also in the summer of 2008).
Several of the stories - really choked me up. Like the daughters who painted their elderly dad's toes (as he let them as little girls) before they took him off life-support. That was a tough one to read.
As I mentioned at my Dad's services, one of my favorite stories about Dad was how he'd always take us out for comic books, despite mom's wishes, and he'd tell us to roll them up and put them in our jacket sleeves when we came in the house. Dad always stopped at 7-11 or the variety store/pharmacy "John's" I think it was called near the Regina Russell Tea house in Quincy. I also remember that whenever the family would go for Pizza in Brockton at "Tip Top Cafe" (now closed I'm sure), Dad always remembered that Brookeville News carried comic books, and would always let me run in to check them out.
This book means so much to me, and I will always treasure it. If you had a good dad, or a good step-dad, foster-dad, or dad-like person in your life, it's one to read over and over again.

My Dad's Spirit Visits Me Christmas Eve

On Dec. 23 when we were turning in for the night, I asked my dad aloud if he'd give me a sign that he's around on Christmas. He did. The next night, Christmas eve, after having dinner at our house with Tom's parents, we drove to a Grace Baptist Church in Bowie for their Christmas choir concert.
During the concert I wasn't feeling the best, and was a little lightheaded. It was a similar feeling I had before my friend Lynn's mother came through to me last summer. Anyway, about half-way through the concert, I closed my eyes and saw my Dad sitting next to a Christmas tree with my late grandmother (his mother) on the other side of it. Dad first appeared to me similar to the way he looked about a year or two before he passed, as did my grandmother. Then, they both reverted back to how they looked when they were in their 30s. This photo of my dad is from 1958 from when he was around 30 years old. The vision kept flashing back and forth between their appearances before they passed to their younger selves. (NOTE: When spirits pass, they first appear the way they did around that time, then choose what "appearance" to have in the next realm, usually younger. Both my dad and my grandmother looked young and vibrant, with light brownish hair (no grey and no wrinkles). This is apparently how they choose to look in the afterlife.
The next thing I saw was my Dad standing behind my mother, who was seated in a chair facing a Christmas tree. She was wearing black and white and I saw a flash of red.
Dad also showed me a gold decorative pin of a Christmas tree with little stones in it. He told me that this was his favorite and mom should wear it. The vision then faded.
After the concert, I called my younger brother's house, where my mom was on Christmas eve. My sister-in-law Sue answered. I asked her if mom was wearing black and white with red, or if she had the christmas tree pin on. Sue said "no" to all. I thought, Hmmm... what was that vision about then? I said Merry Christmas and after hearing how my nephews liked their presents Tom and I sent them, I hung up. Sue didn't mention it to my mother. The next night would be confirmation of what I saw.
The next night was Christmas of course, and after Tom and I had breakfast at his parents' house, and then a nice Christmas dinner here with our friends Jeff and Gary, I called my mom. She had just returned home from Christmas dinner. My older brother and his wife Dawn took my mom to Dawn's sister's house for Christmas dinner. I said to my mom "Are you wearing black and white with some red?" She didn't answer for a minute. Then she asked "Why?" I said, "Dad told me you'd be wearing black and white today, and sitting near a chair facing a Christmas tree. He showed me a little red, too. He also showed me that he was standing behind you the whole time." Mom was shocked. She was wearing black and white. She said when she was getting dressed, she also took out a red blouse instead of the white one she eventually put on. She wanted to know how I knew. I told her that Dad came to me and showed the colors to me, and that he was with her all day on Christmas.
Yes, mom cried over it, and so did I. She didn't have the Christmas tree pin on, but knew where it was and would look for it to wear on the 26th. Having this ability has been a real blessing to me, and a true comfort for my mother. Honestly, it still freaks me out when I confirm things that spirits show me.

Christmas Without You

My all -time favorite Christmas album is by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, called "A Christmas to Remember. It holds a special place in my heart, especially now since my dad has passed, and this is my first Christmas without him. I have a special memory of that album with both of my parents, and when I listened to the upbeat song "With Bells On" and "Christmas Without You," both brought tears to my eyes - and made me miss my dad.
Here's the memory: Back in the 1980s when it came out I played it over and over again when I lived at home with mom and dad. One Christmas, after all was done, and both of my brothers left, I stayed home with mom and dad one Christmas night and played the tape (yes, it was a tape). I handed them copies of the lyrics to both songs, and all three of us sang them. Of course, we sounded really bad, and laughed afterward. It was a memory I'll always cherish, though. And now, "Christmas Without You" really does have more of a meaning. I miss you and love you Dad.
To see the Video of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX3c0DumGio/video

Superman's dad is dead ... again

I saw this story on CNN today (and am picking up my comics tonight, as I do every Wednesday night)- and this issue of Action Comics is already in my previously ordered list of titles. What's interesting is that I didn't know that DC Comics was going to revisit this story again. It's interesting because at work, several co-workers and friends call me "Superman" and this story is coming out just 2 months after my dad passed. Coincidence? Hmmm...

NEW YORK (AP) -- Superman's dad has died again.
DC Comics has killed off Clark Kent's Earth father with a heart attack. In Action Comics No. 870, out Wednesday, Superman can't hear his mom's cries for help in time to save Jonathan Kent.
The TV Jonathan -- played by John Schneider -- died long ago on CW's "Smallville."
In the original Superman tales of the 1940s, Clark Kent's parents died while he was still a teen. And in the 1978 "Superman" movie that starred Christopher Reeve, Jonathan Kent, played by Glenn Ford, also died of a heart attack.

A Note of Thanks to ALL- for sympathy with my Dad's passing

I've been overwhelmed by the incredible support and sympathy in my dad's memory. Friends and co-workers have sent notes, cards, emails, calls and donations in my dad's memory. Only a few had the pleasure of knowing my Dad.
As people at his wake said "Your dad never had a bad word to say about anyone." What a testament to my dad's great personality. How many people can you say that about? I know that I've even complained about the way some people behave or treat others.
Tom and I are overwhelmed with the support, and very thankful for each of you in our lives. Every word means a lot.
We appreciate the donations that have been made in my dad's memory, too - to places like the American Heart Association (because he passed from a stroke); an educational program to provide books to school children (because he loved to read); a local animal shelter (because he loved dogs and wanted another); and the Christopher Reeve Foundation (Superman of the 1970s-80s movies). My dad was a superhero to me. He taught me patience, love and kindness. He inspired me to read, write, communicate, and always want to learn more. He always stood by every decision I made, from radio to meteorology, from moving away to settling down.
Thanks again to all of you who have shown compassion, sympathy, support and friendship. Those are the greatest gifts, and I'm very blessed to have you all in my life. - Rob

PART#4- My Dad's Presence at his Services - Into the Light and Electricity

This is last chapter associated with my Dad's services, and how he made himself known to me. This was also the first time I ever saw "the light" that spirits pass into. It was almost unnnerving. - Rob
After my Dad's funeral, which was extremely difficult as you would expect, we got back in the limousine and were driven to the cemetery, about 15 minutes away. I sensed that dad was driving with his body in the hearse ahead of us, then he came back and sat with us in the limo. Although there were no physical seats left open, he was in there with us. As I mentioned, spirits don't need physical seats to be there.
At the gravesite, I was seated next to my mother and 3 other family members facing the casket, which was surrounded by flowers from the funeral home. All of which were under a tent on this cloudy, unusually cool August day in New England.
While the priest was reading at the casket, and during the playing of taps in the background (the military supplied two soldiers for taps and folding of the flag), I sensed my dad standing on the left side of the tent, in front of the line of seats we were sitting in. He was very pleased by the tributes. Right after Taps finished, I saw a bright white light to my right, and asked my sister-in-law, Dawn, who was sitting to my right if she saw it. She didn't. I had never before seen "the light" that spirits pass into to go to Heaven.
I looked over to where the light was coming from. It was on a small hill just outside the tent and about 30 feet behind where the funeral home director was standing. I then saw figures come into focus. From right to left were my grandmother (dad's mom) holding an infant, her 2nd husband (my Dad's step-dad "Pop,") and her 1st husband (my dad's father), then my mom's parents. Sitting in front of them were three dogs: My parent's first dog Penny, the cocker spaniel; their second dog, Gigi, a poodle, and my puppy Buzz, a Weimaraner, who was killed by a car when his leash opened. They were waiting for my dad. I was overwhelmed and choked up.
Someone sang the "Our Father" and that was the last part of the service.
I then sensed my dad walking past mom and I and the others and into the light. The light was fading as the service ended, and people were turning to depart. I told my mom and Tom what had happened. I'll never forget that.

APPORTS AND ELECTRICITY
"Apport" is the action of a spirit or Earth-bound ghost to move things in a house. That's what we experienced.
On Tuesday, before the services, Tom, my Mom and I had put out two items in my mom's kitchen that we needed to do two tasks. One thing was a piece to the sink that Tom was going to install, and the other was a wallet with some of my dad's credit cards. We had put the sink piece on the kitchen counter on Tuesday, and Tom was going to fix it. When he went back later that day, it was missing. It simply wasn't there. Same thing with the wallet. Missing.
On Wednesday, my mom, Tom and I had been still looking like crazy for those items. My mom asked my dad aloud to help find these things. The next day, Thursday, we walked in the kitchen, the faucet piece was on the kitchen window, and the wallet was on the counter. There was no one else in the house.
On Friday, Tom and I were trying to help my mother with some things around the house. One thing we needed to fix was an electric outlet that suddenly stopped working Wednesday night, the day of the wake. I had a feeling that my dad was hanging around my mom's house that night (Wednesday) hoping to keep watch over her. Usually, Earth-bound spirits that hang around affect electricity, so this was no surprise to me that the outlet that she had the coffeemaker plugged into just suddenly stopped working.
The other odd electric thing that happened was the backyard floodlight suddenly went out that same night, Wednesday. Mom and Tom kept asking what was suddenly wrong with the electric things in the house. I told them how Earth-bound spirits who are hanging around (even until they pass) can affect electric things.
On Friday, Tom and I took a ladder out, propped it against the back of the house, and replaced the floodlight. We flipped the switch, and the light didn't go on. We flipped it over and over to no avail. Not having another new bulb, we let it go. I asked my dad for his help to make things work and thought that now that he passed into the light, he could help.
Tom dutifully then replaced the electric socket, and the plug then worked. Later that night, Tom let our dogs out in mom's fenced in yard, and flipped the switch out of habit. The light went on. I knew my dad took care of it.

PART #3 - My Dad's Services- His Spirit Shocks My Mom and I at the Funeral

This is the third installment of how my dad's spirit kept in contact with me during the events after his passing.

The next day was the funeral. I was dreading that. We all met at the Funeral Home at 10 a.m. to say our last goodbyes. Before we left for the funeral at a Catholic Church about 5 minutes down the street, I struggled to read my tribute to my dad (that I had written on my blog the night he died) followed by the last letter he wrote me dated June 18, 2008. We then left for the funeral.

My mom and I were seated in the front pew of the church with my partner Tom and I on each side of her. My brothers and their wives were behind us in the second pew, because each of them gave their eulogies at church. I opted to do mine at the funeral home, because it was funny and serious, and I knew the setting would be better for me.

Here's where my dad really came through. My mom was crying hard at one point and holding tissues over her face. My dad came into my head and said "Tell your mother to use my handkerchief." My dad always carried handkerchiefs, mom never did. She didn't like them. My mother looked at me with a look of surprise and shock and said "How did you know I have a handkerchief in my pocket?" Answer: I didn't know. My dad told me. I told my mom that Dad was there and he told me to tell her that. She pulled out the hanky and used it, and it calmed her to know he was there. I was as surprised as my mother was, because I knew that in my 45 years I've never seen her use a handkerchief.

My mom knows and understands that I'm a medium of sorts. If she didn't believe me before, she certainly believed me then. I also sensed that my dad was standing behind my mom during a large part of the services, despite the fact that one of my sister-in-laws were sitting directly behind mom. Spirits don't need physical space like we think of it.

Another sign I received from my dad was a feeling of how he died. I was still sitting in the pew next to my mom and Tom, and at one point, I felt a warm sensation in the left side of my chest become hot, and spread through the left side of my chest and down my right arm. My dad passed from a stroke, and I have no idea what a stroke feels like, and am unsure if this is how it may feel. I do know, however, that my dad was telling me that it was a heart issue that took him from Earth.

The next and final part of my dad's coming to me during this traumatic week occurred at the gravesite. I'll post that next.

PART #2 -My Dad - His First Sign to Me at the Wake

Tom, I, and our dogs arrived at my mother's house on Monday, August 4 after a 10 hour drive. We spent the next two days helping make arrangements with my brothers and the funeral home and church.

On Tuesday, my mom asked why she couldn't dream of my dad. I explained to her that he hasn't passed into the light yet, and would do so after the funeral. Once he's in the light, he'll be able to come to her in her dreams.

Wednesday, August 6 was the day of the wake. The funeral director was incredible. She thought of everything, and even sent a full course dinner for 10 over to my mother's house the night before. My family, consisting of my mother, my two brothers and their wives, and my partner and I, arrived at the funeral home at 3 p.m. It was unnerving walking in that front left room of the Lydon Funeral Home. The open casket was at the far end of the room, and I could see my dad. As anyone can attest, it's a shock to see your loved one in that state. I kept trying to focus on the fact that he's okay, and his spirit is most likely around. I've read that everyone sticks around for their wake and funeral, and my dad let me know this was to be no different from what I've heard.

Just before the visiting hours for Dad's wake began, I had the entire family sign the last book he was in the middle of reading, Brad Thor's "The First Commandment," and we put in inside the casket with him. Also, because he loved the Red Sox (Baseball), my younger brother and his wife had their young sons sign "I love you Papa" on a baseball, which they also put in the casket.

The wake began at 4 p.m. and people began filing in. My dad was well known in the insurance business for over 50 years, and taught insurance to classes for decades. He was also in the army and a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization.

My younger brother is in local politics, so police and sheriff and local politicians came, in addition to friends, co-workers, and extended family.

As usually happens when I'm in the presence of a spirit of Earth-bound ghost, I developed a headache in the lower back left part of my head. I sensed my dad. He was standing at the foot of his casket looking at himself as people started filing in and past it. He watched them greet the receiving line of family members with my mom at the front. I sensed after awhile that Dad went over and stood next to my mother while she was greeting people, then, he sat in a chair across from where Tom and I were standing while the Knights of Columbus and then the Morrissette Post legionnaires did prayer tributes to him. He seemed pleased and honored by those. He let me know that he was there, and that he was okay. He was concerned about my mother's well-being, as he had been so devoted to her in life.

The wake ended at 8 p.m. and everyone dispersed. I'm not sure where my dad went at that time. (PART #3- Coming Next -Dad's Spirit Surprises My Mom and I at the Funeral)

PART ONE - Supernatural experiences with my Dad's Passing

Here's the first part of an overwhelming week of events - the week my dad passed. Not only did my Dad give me many signs he was there and he was okay, but when you read the following, you'll see that someone was watching over my mom at the time of my dad's death, too. I believe it was my mother's parents.

Spirits Watching Over my Mother
The night my dad passed away (8/2/08), my parents had gone out to eat dinner, as they usually did on Saturday nights. This day, they decided to go to a restaurant that was about 45 minutes west of where they live, which also happens to be 2 towns away from where my older brother lives.

After dinner, they decided to go shopping at Kohl's department store in Framingham, Massachusetts. After shopping they came back to the car, and dad searched his pockets for his keys. Instead, he found a hole in his pocket, and assumed his keys slipped out in the store. Interestingly enough, the keys didn't slip out while they were at the restaurant, or before they went into the store.

So, my mom waited at the car while dad ambled back toward the front door of the store to ask if someone turned in his keys. My mother grew concerned when dad didn't come back after a short time, so she started walking back toward the store. She looked down and saw my dad laying in the grass, grasping the grass with his hand. He had had a stroke and couldn't speak. My mother screamed for help.

At that time, a woman in the parking lot ran over to my mom with her cell phone. She asked mom for a phone number of a nearby relative after calling 911 first. My mother couldn't remember my older brother's phone number. When the woman asked my brother's name, coincidentally, she knew that a friend of HERS knew my older brother, who lived 2 towns away. How strange is that? (Not strange when you think that a spirit watching over my mom was guiding that woman through the parking lot at the right time).

The woman called her friend and got my older brother's phone number. She then called him and told him what had happened, and he raced over to the store to meet up with my mother and the ambulance.

That was NO coincidence that this woman, who lives 2 towns away from my older brother, had a friend who knew him. That was divine intervention. A spirit who was watching out for my mother, provided this incredible link.

My dad had passed either in the ambulance or by the time he arrived at the hospital. I don't know. That night, however, was the first of many supernatural signs. The rest would be from my dad appearing to me in many ways, and proving to my family that he was there. I'll get to that next time.

Our Thanks for your Support on my Dad's Passing

To all our friends who emailed, called, sent a card or flowers - Thank you so much for your words and actions of comfort to us and my family last week after the sudden passing of my dad on 8/2.
We just returned home from Boston after being there a week. It was a difficult week as expected. My mom is having emotional ups and downs, and is at a loss in many different directions, but my brothers, their wives, Tom and I have been trying to help piece things together.
We learned that it's important to make sure your partner has up to date records of all credit cards, bank statements, bills, and insurance. We're now piecing the puzzle together.
Because Tom and I had to return home to Maryland, we needed to help do things as soon as possible, (so my two brothers and their wives wouldn't have to do it all). Tom and I helped fix faucets and electrical stuff, and with clothes, bills, paperwork, books, etc. It has been a whirlwind. My brothers (they live there) are helping finish organizing finances (it's a big job, and I'll likely be flying up soon (not driving as we just did, because it took 11 hours on the trip back) to help with more stuff. Thanks for your prayers, thoughts, notes and more.
**I've NOW Edited the entry I wrote on August 2nd, so it reflects what I read at the funeral home of my dad's viewing**
Love, Rob and Tom

August 2, 2008 - My Dad Passed Away Today (REVISED 8-10-08)

I'm numb. I got a call from my younger brother Doug tonight around 8pm EDT, and he told me that my dad passed away. I'm numb. Doug said that my mom and dad were out shopping at Kohls in Framingham, in western Massachusetts when he had a stroke. My mom was waiting at the car for dad to come back from the store, where he said he had accidentally left his keys. He didn't return, so mom went looking for him after a short while, and found him lying in the grass.
My dad was born Nov. 8, 1928. He was the only child in his family, although there was a boy that was miscarried before my dad was born (I think). Dad grew up in Quincy, MA, and did a stint as a U.S. Military Policeman in the Army during the Korean War. He also played the trumpet in the army and in nightclubs. He led a big band of sorts, we called it "Buddy and the Big Notes" although I now know it was "Buddies." Buddy was his nickname. He and mom married on June 19, 1955. They had three boys, and I was the middle son.
My dad, Edward Joseph Gutro, was 79. I talked with him on Thursday, July 31st, and it was an average day. He told me what he and mom were doing. I told him what Tom and I and the dogs were up to. He was looking forward to convincing my mother to fly down to Maryland to visit us, as my parents haven't been to Maryland for many years.
My dad was the most patient man I've ever known. I learned a lot from my dad. Patience, tolerance, love. At Christmas 2007-2008, when Tom and I and the dogs were up visiting, Mom said something to my Dad, and he raised his hand, waved it, and said "Baaaaah." That was really funny, and now Tom and I do it to each other.
{NEW NOTE: Last fall when Tom and I were visiting mom and dad, we went to Home Depot, and were in the garden shop with them, when Mom bumped into a plant all the way down the aisle from where we were standing. We immediately heard Dad say loudly, "Norma did it!" and we laughed out loud.
Dad loved reading mysteries and espionage books. That's where I got my love for reading. (NEW NOTE: During the wake, I had the entire family sign the last book he was in the middle of reading, Brad Thor's "The First Commandment" - and we put in inside the casket with him. Also, because he loved the Red Sox (Baseball), my brother Doug and Wife Sue had their young sons Brian and Scotty (5 and 4) sign "I love you Papa" on a baseball, which they also put in the casket).
When my younger brother Doug and I were kids, Dad would take us with him every Saturday to do errands, and stop at a local drugstore to buy us superhero comic books. Mom hated for us to keep bringing them home, so Dad had us roll them up in our sleeves and walk in the house- we'd promptly disappear into the bedroom and Doug and I would read them together.
My Dad loved to write. Since I left Massachusetts to live in other states, Dad has written me, and I've kept every letter. Those are priceless to me. Dad inspired me to write and now I make a living doing it.
Dad was extremely well known throughout New England in the insurance industry. He worked in it for about 50 years, and even taught classes. Despite his being "retired" he still loved working part time. In fact, last week, an insurance company called and asked him to work for them part time. This week, the last week of his life on Earth, he worked 4 out of 5 days. That was Dad. Great work ethic.
When I came out to mom and dad, it was my dad that kept talking to me, while my mom refused for 5 months. My dad didn't understand it, but said it wouldn't stop him from talking to me. I'll never forget that. Everytime I talked to Dad or Mom, I would always tell them I love them before I got off the phone. That's the way I was raised, and It's very important to do that with everyone in your life.
My dad's spirit may have left his physical body behind, but he lives in the hearts and minds of those who love him.
Oddly enough, I'm writing a book about ghosts and spirits, because I've had so many encounters with them. I know that when a spirit leaves its body they linger until the funeral then pass into the light, so my Dad is watching over my mother right now. I expect to "hear" from dad, too. Right now, though, I'm just numb. I love my dad with all of my heart, and was blessed to have him as long as I had. He had a heart attack in 1990, when I lived in New Hampshire and we thought we'd lose him. We didn't. We've enjoyed my dad for another 18 years, and that is a gift. I thank God for all the extra time we've had, and I'm writing this to let my dad know just how much I truly loved him. I'll miss hearing your voice, Dad, but you're always going to be in my heart and soul. I love you. - Rob

Donations may be made in the name of Edward Joseph Gutro to the American Heart Association.
{NEW NOTE: At the end of my reading this blog aloud at the funeral home, I also read the last letter Dad wrote to me, dated June 18, 2008, about my older brother Stephen's upcoming 50th birthday party. The party was held in July, and I flew in and out for it. - I think that Dad was waiting for that party to have everyone there, so he could pass in peace}.