My Papa Lives On…

I would like to hereby thank from the depth of me and my family's heart The Royal Canadian Legion, Accettone Funeral Home, and those of you who came out and/or showed support to my grieving family. Also thank you for celebrating my grandpa's life. He was a man who lived life to it's fullest, never complaining, and always offering up advice for those who needed it. He certainly inspired me in so many ways. What assures me the most is that though he is gone in physical form, I still feel that he is here with me and my family.

During the visitation on Saturday, I tried my best to hold the tears in. I feel I have been used to that most of my life. Seeing my grandmother crying and holding my grandfather's hand in the casket just did it in for me. We all shed a tear at first sight of my grandpa in the casket. I guess it was reality sinking in that he wasn't going to fight back from this. Yet, just like he was, we all went from feeling so helpless to being happy by remembering the great memories of his life. I remember telling my mom when we were gathered around the casket, that Papa wanted to us to be happy and not worry about him. He was like this in real life. I personally felt that last Wednesday when my Papa found out that he had colon cancer, he didn't want us to worry and see him shrivel up to be someone unrecognizable…he just decided to go out strong like he was his whole life. On Friday morning I received a call from my Mom telling me that I need to get up to Bobcaygeon to see him because he was about to pass. I sped up there as fast as I could, I missed him by only ten minutes…however, seeing him look so strong, peaceful and surrounded by my whole family, made me feel at peace. I was also asked to be a pall bearer for him. I carried the casket with the most pride I have ever felt.

His passing has changed my life. Seeing my family the last three days has brought me so much closer to them. I can see my Papa in each one of them…that's why I feel that he is still very much alive. I plan to be closer to my family, friends, and most importantly aim forward instead of dwelling on past issues that may plague me.

My Papa didn't live like that, nor would he want me too.

R.I.P. Papa…

Lemuel Glyndon Dunford
May 21st 1917 – April 25th 2008

One of the greatest influences in my life. He died suddenly today surrounded by loved ones and peacefully in his sleep. Though I am deeply saddened by the loss of him, I am happy that he didn't suffer and that he left this world with a strong spirit…a spirit that uplifted all of us so much. I love you forever Papa and thank you for being the best Grandfather ever!

It's Hunting Season

A deer!! Shoot it!

*pew, pew, pew*

What the FUCK, Billy Crystal!

Honestly…

Can Billy Crystal do any other pose?

NOTE: in the “Analyze This” poster, he looks like he's trying hard not to do it…but it still looks like he's doing the “I don't know what I got myself into” pose.

Type-casted? I think so.

Comforting Sounds

I want to share with you my favourite song of all time. It's from a band that I discovered accidentally at my friend/ex-girlfriend/fellow blogger Kayla Hiller. She had a gig as a writer for the Brock University newspaper. Anywho, Kayla's job required her to review albums and she happened to pick up “Frengers” by Mew. While I was down for a weekend in 2003, she told me she had to type a quick review of the album. She put it on and I heard a track called “Am I Wry? No” which blew me away. The whole album was solid, beautiful, and well composed like no other album I had ever heard.

I did some downloading when I got back home and discovered the closing track to the album “Comforting Sounds”. To you, my reader, this song may sound like every other song. To me, the whole tone and progression (especially the last 2 minutes of the song) send chills down my spine. Fellow fans of the band have similar opinions about this song. Another ex-girlfriend of mine, when first meeting her, brought this song up. It was good to know that I wasn't crazy and was the only one so touched by a song. It is also the type of song that can create and/or heighten a nostalgic feeling, a sad feeling, a happy feeling, etc. To me, the song is mainly therapeutic. I may feel down in the dumps, put it on and end up feeling better…it's also a great song to snuggle up to a sweetheart with. Hopefully, when and if I find the love of my life, I can share such a beautiful song with her. Cheeeeesy!

Fatherhood

This is bound to happen eventually…

Tales From The Reception Desk: Part II

I wish I had a bottle of Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum.

I know I shouldn't be drinking at work but I would love to play a drinking game with the crack addicts that pass by the reception window every day.

- Take 1 shot when a crack addict checks the parking meter for any loose change.
- Take 2 shots if you see a crack addict stop a busy person and tell them a sob story.
- Take 3 shots if a crack addict is talking to himself while pacing back and forth.
- Drink the whole bottle if you see a crack addict being arrested or receiving a ticket.

and don't forget to 'Cheers' the justice system for that, yo.

There Will Be Monopoly

Junebug

I had June on Saturday for my regular 4 hour visit. To compare my daughter with fine wine is a little weird, but she honestly gets better as she ages. Every two weeks when I see her, something has changed with her. Be it her hair growing a little longer, a new word, or something in her personality. Either way, it makes me so happy and so proud to be her Daddy. At the very beginning, I was so nervous about becoming a dad and whether or not June would like me or not (since I am not there for two weeks) but June is always so happy to see me and my family and it makes me so happy.

What's really special at this age and please don't look at me as an expert in child-growth, is 15-month olds are like a sponge and absorb anything you do, and learn really fast. June's personality is really starting to shine and mainly she just wants to laugh, play, and be happy. If I make a silly noise and she finds it funny, she repeats it. If she coughs, I will cough jokingly back and she does the same. We ever play hide and go seek and will laugh and clap if she finds me. You can even teach her how to dance. She is just an amazing kid full of love. I melt right in her hands.

I've noticed how independent she is too. She mostly likes to sit and play and figure out stuff on her own. It's amazing to watch her read a book or play with a toy with such intense focus. If she is stuck on something she will try and talk to it…it's all in gibberish but it's so cute! One of her first words were “What's that?” and I think that says a lot about her and how smart she is. She wants to know what everything is. She may ask Daddy twenty times but I never get tired of telling her. I love her laugh especially. It's such a pure belly laugh and I love how she squints her eyes and gives a big smile.

On Saturday, her and I were playing my Grandpa's hat. I took the hat and ran and layed down pretending to hide on her. She laughed and ran over to me and literally dove on me, hugged me and snuggled into me. She didn't care about the hat, she just wanted to hug me. We lay there for about 5 minutes it was so beautiful it made me tear up. It was on of the Daddy and Daughter moments that I will never forget.

I love you sweetheart!

FLASHBACK POST: APRIL 14th 2004

I've been blogging for almost 6 years now. I though it'd be funny to do this every so often: Grab one of my old journals from back in the day.

Here is one from 4 years ago.

Guess I should update.

Some good news for myself. I did get into Sheridan for Media Arts (Film). I am quite happy for it's my dream school and dream course. I will be living with the beautiful Kevin Dowse and I will at last take a leave from this town. I need to be surrounded by friends, I've been isolated here relying mostly on MSN Messenger for entertainment. I think living with a best friend will be a positive experience. But with many positive things come some challenges, I have to make about twelve thousand dollars by September. $7500 for tuition (including fees and laptop and equipment) and around $4500 for rent and food. So you probably wont see me around THIS summer, I am going to be working during any time I can spare. yes, this means I have to leave the binder factory…finally.

Steve's coming back for his birthday which I am extremely excited about! It'll be the last time I'll be able to see him until about August or so. So it'll be a great week with the old man. I hope we all will give him the respect he deserves.

Well Friday is my last day at Durham College, I guess I am going to miss it a wee bit. I met a lot of cool people there that I hope to keep in touch with.

Plans for the weekend seem okay. Friday, I plan to drink at the local kereoke bar witha few good friends of mine. Saturday, I am hanging with Kristin again. We are going to see Eternal sunshine of the Spotless Mind yet again (my 4rth time and her 2nd). Call us movie sluts, we really are. We also may watch Star Wars cause neither of have seen a full Star Wars movie. So we will pop our star wars cherry at last.

Taking the car off the road next week too, I can't afford $300 a month. Glee

The following is the exact same update translated to Italian, then converted back to English. I dunno, I find it funny. So funny that i was up until 2am last night.

The conjecture would have to dawn. Some good news for me. They have entered in Sheridan for the means limbs (film). They are enough happy for it's my course of dream of dream and the school. I will live with the beautiful Kevin Dowse and will in end l'introito a permission from this city. I must be encircled from the friends, I've be here to count mainly isolated on the messenger of MSN for entertainment. Task that the life with a friend the best one is positive un'esperienza. But with many positive things some challenges come, I must make approximately twelve mila dollars within september. $7500 for the scholastic taxes (taxes comprised and laptop and equipment) and around $4500 for rent and food. Therefore probably you will not see it around to THIS summer, I I am going to work during any moment I can save yes, this meant that I must leave the factory of the binder finally…. Steve's that returns for its birthday that extremely they are excited approximately! It'll is l'ultima I'll time can see it until approximately to August or therefore. Therefore it'll great week with l'uomo old is one. I hope that all we give the respect to it is deserved. Good friday is my last day all'università of Durham, I fortune teller that I am going to lack it one aims small. I have come to contact of the a.lot of cold people here that I hope to remain in contact with. The programs for the fine week seem just. Friday, plan drink to the witha local of the bar of kereoke the little good friends of mines. Saturday, I am still hanging with Kristin. We are going to once again see the sun eternal of the mind spotless (mine 4rth time and its second one). It calls them sluts of movie, we really are. Also we can watch the wars of the star we do not cause nobody of we have seen a movie complete of wars of the star. Therefore we will in end crack our cherry of wars of the star. Being necessary all'automobile outside of the road the next week also, the can't a month is allowed $300. Glee That that follows is l'esatto the same translate modernization italien, therefore cnverted of new all'inglese. Dunno I find it amusing. Therefore amusing that I was in on until 2am the past night.

Crack the cherry, you heard it