How is your Mom doing?
She is hanging in there.. she is a strong woman..
Plus the task of dealing with red-tape and the bullshit that is left in the wake of someone passing has kept her busy..
I hate to think that the world takes advantage of the grieving, but we all know it does..
From the ridiculous price of final arrangements, to the cost of a single piece of paper.. $20.00 for a copy of a death certificate. (And you need plenty.)
Then there is the whole calling and canceling credit cards.. Or trying to convince Sprint that their cell phone coverage doesn't quite make it to heaven, so he no longer needs his cell.. all the hoops you have to jump through to say once again, 'my husband died.' Because that is always a fun statement.
| Come on guys.. don't make us say it again.. grrrrrr.. early cancellation fees are stupid anyway! |
Topher is flying in tomorrow.. He is always good for a smile and a great HUGS!
Still there are moments when the tears flow and the sadness looms.
Friday she spent hours writing a tribute to Dad for his online Obituary..
Had me soaking the tissues..
Here are her words.
I will always love you.
As far as I know Bob Udell was 10 feet tall. Every inch perfection.
He was the kindest, most romantic person I have ever known.
I want to start this tribute with the words from our song.
Jo Staffords 'No Other Love.'
No Other Love can warm my heart
Now that I've known the comfort of your arms
No other love.
Oh the sweet contentment that I find with you Every Time
Every Time.
No other lips could want you more For I was born to glory in your kiss.
Forever yours
I was blessed with love to love you Til the stars burn out above you
Til the moon is but a silver shell
No other love, Let no other love
Know the wonder of your spell.
Jo Stafford sang this song in the 1950's Someone put the lyrics to Chopin's etude in E major.
When we lived in Salt Lake City we had a cozy hot tub. We would go out and soak late at night. Always on a Moon lit night! Bob loved the moon and the stars. Many decisions were made in that hot tub. We would talk there with no TV, no phones, no distractions..........no clothes.
Bob frequently stated, 'First I am a family man. Second I am a citizen of the United States. Third I am a citizen of the world'
He loved music, especially classical, opera and jazz.
We went to many symphonies and operas. The music would move us to tears, or make us happy. Several years ago we attended a program in Salt Lake, Rachmaninoff's piano concerto #2.
I looked over at Bob, tears were streaming down his face. I could hardly see through my own tear filled eyes.
We have been fortunate enough to attend operas and symphonies in many great cities of the world!
We have had many wonderful experiences with music. We stayed in a small casa in a little town by Moretia Mexico. The casa was next to the family we rented it from. The owner made guitars and played several instruments. His two children attended college in Mexico City, they were both music majors. The son played the cello, the daughter studied voice. During Easter Vacation both kids were home, they invited us over to their home for a night of music.
They played and sang for us. The best part of the night was when the father and daughter sang Mexican folk songs, it was so moving to see them looking into each others eyes and singing.
From street performers to great opera houses, Bob loved music. When he was confined to bed he would be comforted by listening to music.
Bob loved the people of Mexico. He noticed how much they enjoyed families. We spent several months in Mexico, two different trips. Traveled to several cities there, renting apartments or small casa's.
We have had the opportunity to live in California, Georgia, Washington, Utah and Nevada.
Bought several homes, Bob remodeled all of them to make things more comfortable for his family. He even remodeled homes we rented! He built two houses from the ground up. One over 4,000 squared feet. The kids had so much fun watching and 'helping' him.
Marti inherited our affinity for the moon and stars. She would gaze at the sky at night and no matter where she was, she could see the Big Dipper. There are seven starts in the Big Dipper, so she affiliated the stars with herself and her siblings. She would think of Bob and myself as the Sun and the Moon.
Rhone was our first born and very special to us, we kind of thought he was the best looking kid ever. - Okay, until Sarah came along.
I remember Bob and Rhone going rabbit hunting. When they came home we realized Rhone needed glasses, he could not see the rabbits. Rhone helped Bob pour the cement in the basement of one of the houses he built. He asked Rhone what he thought of working with concrete. Rhone replied that it wasn't what he wanted to do when he grew up. Rhone and Janet get points for the most Grand kids.
Matt and Bob had a special relationship. Even though they lived miles apart, during football season after the games they were on the phone reviewing the games.Matt has always thought his dad was Superman. Matt and Bob built Matt a half-pipe for skate boarding when Matt was a teenager. It resulted in a broken arm, surgery and all.
Mike was the first child to go on a trip to Europe with us. We went to Venice. After a mix-up at the airport we arrived in Venice at dusk, it was so beautiful, Mike was hooked on travel!
Mike came to Las Vegas several times during Bobs illness to help him paint and do other remodeling jobs.
Rachael, what can I say? We all owe you a big hug for the blog. You wrote so eloquently and with great humor. And did it so faithfully even when you were hurting. And boy, did Bob enjoy the Andrea Bocelli concert. High five for pulling that off!
Topher enjoyed traveling with us also. He accompanied us on many trips. He told a friend he was going to Paris, the friend asked 'With who?' When he said his parents The friend replied 'What a bummer.'. He told his friend he enjoyed traveling with his Mom and Pop. Bob helped Topher remodel his condo outside of Seattle, getting it ready to sell. The worked side by side for several days, I think Topher learned a thing or two about construction.
Bob was so proud when Sarah graduated from college. She came to live with us in California for awhile. She was always such a good kid. Did great in school, we liked to say she has a photographic memory. Would it be wrong to say she was a model child?
Bob loved her sense of humor and ability to throw in a double entendre. Sarah and her dad had a great relationship, she would listen to him talk for hours on the phone.. i think she was also doing other things... Multi-tasking if you will.
Bob thank you for fifty two and a half of the greatest years ever. You left me with a great legacy, our family bonds are so strong.
He was the kindest, most romantic person I have ever known.
I want to start this tribute with the words from our song.
Jo Staffords 'No Other Love.'
No Other Love can warm my heart
Now that I've known the comfort of your arms
No other love.
Oh the sweet contentment that I find with you Every Time
Every Time.
No other lips could want you more For I was born to glory in your kiss.
Forever yours
I was blessed with love to love you Til the stars burn out above you
Til the moon is but a silver shell
No other love, Let no other love
Know the wonder of your spell.
Jo Stafford sang this song in the 1950's Someone put the lyrics to Chopin's etude in E major.
When we lived in Salt Lake City we had a cozy hot tub. We would go out and soak late at night. Always on a Moon lit night! Bob loved the moon and the stars. Many decisions were made in that hot tub. We would talk there with no TV, no phones, no distractions..........no clothes.
Bob frequently stated, 'First I am a family man. Second I am a citizen of the United States. Third I am a citizen of the world'
He loved music, especially classical, opera and jazz.
We went to many symphonies and operas. The music would move us to tears, or make us happy. Several years ago we attended a program in Salt Lake, Rachmaninoff's piano concerto #2.
I looked over at Bob, tears were streaming down his face. I could hardly see through my own tear filled eyes.
We have been fortunate enough to attend operas and symphonies in many great cities of the world!
We have had many wonderful experiences with music. We stayed in a small casa in a little town by Moretia Mexico. The casa was next to the family we rented it from. The owner made guitars and played several instruments. His two children attended college in Mexico City, they were both music majors. The son played the cello, the daughter studied voice. During Easter Vacation both kids were home, they invited us over to their home for a night of music.
They played and sang for us. The best part of the night was when the father and daughter sang Mexican folk songs, it was so moving to see them looking into each others eyes and singing.
From street performers to great opera houses, Bob loved music. When he was confined to bed he would be comforted by listening to music.
Bob loved the people of Mexico. He noticed how much they enjoyed families. We spent several months in Mexico, two different trips. Traveled to several cities there, renting apartments or small casa's.
We have had the opportunity to live in California, Georgia, Washington, Utah and Nevada.
Bought several homes, Bob remodeled all of them to make things more comfortable for his family. He even remodeled homes we rented! He built two houses from the ground up. One over 4,000 squared feet. The kids had so much fun watching and 'helping' him.
Marti inherited our affinity for the moon and stars. She would gaze at the sky at night and no matter where she was, she could see the Big Dipper. There are seven starts in the Big Dipper, so she affiliated the stars with herself and her siblings. She would think of Bob and myself as the Sun and the Moon.
Rhone was our first born and very special to us, we kind of thought he was the best looking kid ever. - Okay, until Sarah came along.
I remember Bob and Rhone going rabbit hunting. When they came home we realized Rhone needed glasses, he could not see the rabbits. Rhone helped Bob pour the cement in the basement of one of the houses he built. He asked Rhone what he thought of working with concrete. Rhone replied that it wasn't what he wanted to do when he grew up. Rhone and Janet get points for the most Grand kids.
Matt and Bob had a special relationship. Even though they lived miles apart, during football season after the games they were on the phone reviewing the games.Matt has always thought his dad was Superman. Matt and Bob built Matt a half-pipe for skate boarding when Matt was a teenager. It resulted in a broken arm, surgery and all.
Mike was the first child to go on a trip to Europe with us. We went to Venice. After a mix-up at the airport we arrived in Venice at dusk, it was so beautiful, Mike was hooked on travel!
Mike came to Las Vegas several times during Bobs illness to help him paint and do other remodeling jobs.
Rachael, what can I say? We all owe you a big hug for the blog. You wrote so eloquently and with great humor. And did it so faithfully even when you were hurting. And boy, did Bob enjoy the Andrea Bocelli concert. High five for pulling that off!
Topher enjoyed traveling with us also. He accompanied us on many trips. He told a friend he was going to Paris, the friend asked 'With who?' When he said his parents The friend replied 'What a bummer.'. He told his friend he enjoyed traveling with his Mom and Pop. Bob helped Topher remodel his condo outside of Seattle, getting it ready to sell. The worked side by side for several days, I think Topher learned a thing or two about construction.
Bob was so proud when Sarah graduated from college. She came to live with us in California for awhile. She was always such a good kid. Did great in school, we liked to say she has a photographic memory. Would it be wrong to say she was a model child?
Bob loved her sense of humor and ability to throw in a double entendre. Sarah and her dad had a great relationship, she would listen to him talk for hours on the phone.. i think she was also doing other things... Multi-tasking if you will.
Bob thank you for fifty two and a half of the greatest years ever. You left me with a great legacy, our family bonds are so strong.
You can copy and paste the link below to read all of the tributes from the family. http://www.whopassedon.com/memorial/view/?Robert_Udell&i=896295003
ReplyDelete