FWD:

Hi everyone! This is Maxwell & I am doing great at Job Corps. Learning carpentry. The food is great & I am making friends. (posted by grandma!)

Together forever

Yesterday was our ward temple trip. We had been asked to take family names, so we did all the work for Tony's Grandpa and Grandma Cioffi (his mom's parents). We were afraid we wouldn't get the sealing done, because that was at the same time as the endowment session, but President Butler's wife heard us talking, and said she would help--which she did so it was ALL done yesterday. After a rough start (we went down Friday, AFTER the Prius died and we had to change hotel rooms twice because of really noisy neighbors), we were at the temple before 7 am for the baptisms, and spent a wonderful day together.

We were out for a walk & caught this amazing sky!

Final call

Tony and his dad (and sister) are/were ham radio operators. Tony's dad's call sign was WA8FTW, and Tony's is N7IBM. At the end of the funeral service, as the casket got to the end of the aisle in the church, it stopped with everyone behind. Then---

"WA8FTW, this is N7IBM"..... (silence)

"Wa8FTW, this is N7IBM".......(silence)

WA8FTW, this is N7IBM....are you there grandpa?"....(silence)

"No contact. Godspeed on your final journey. May you have endless contacts and wonderful rag chews. We'll miss you. Seven threes (means good-bye)--
N7IBM clear"

The "final call" was so fitting--and not a dry eye in the church. Then a 21-gun salute from the VFW at the cemetery, and the oldest son (tony) gets the flag that draped the casket. It was a wonderful, emotional time for us all. We are so grateful to all who sent their wishes and prayers. Thank you.

Grandpa Coppola died

He's gone. He died early this morning with a granddaughter by his side. Tony's taking a bit of heat from his family--when he went to see his mom for the last time, he left on a Tuesday and she died a few days later. Tony left Cleveland Tuesday. And his dad died Thursday. But we are glad that he got to go, to spend time with his dad and family, to be able to say goodbye while his dad still knew him (by Sunday he didn't know who he was with). So Tony did get to feel the tender mercies of our Heavenly Father, and we know that he is now comfortable, at peace, and can HEAR!
The viewing (wake) will probably be Tuesday, and the funeral Wednesday. We're just waiting to hear the details before we decide when to leave.
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers at this time. You all strengthen us.

Tony's dad update

Tony's on his way home. He had cancelled his flight because no one thought his dad would live through the night. But he did. And Tony has a job, and has used up a whole bunch of his vacation days. So I got him on a flight and he'll land about midnight. Liz will pick him up and he'll drive to Coalville to crash, as he spent the night last night in the nursing home. Not much sleep. About 11pm last night, Tony's 2 daughters showed up with a lounge chair for him--the nursing home did not have a recliner or hide-a-bed--just the hard chairs. He's going through a very tender time, and it brought him to tears. Have we ever told you that we have the most wonderful kids?
I asked about his pacemaker--and spoke with one of our docs. There is a chance that the pacer would keep the blood pumping enough to keep him alive. He's been in a coma since Sunday, so the hospice nurse was turning the pacer off today. We know we are not in control here. It's hard. The soonest the funeral could be will be next Monday--so will let you know.

Grandpa Coppola

Tony is in Cleveland. We got word the first of the week that his dad wasn't doing well, and they weren't sure he would last until Tony could get there. He flew out Thursday, and went straight from the airport to the nursing home.
When Tony got there, his dad kinda woke up and asked for a drink of milk! He knew Tony, he was joking and talking (remind you, his dad is DEAF!!) And since then, there has been an amazing rally. Kind of like last week after he got last rites (now called something else, but you know what I mean), and opened his eyes and said he wanted to go home (to the nursing home). I think he is the king of rallying!
So Tony has been able to spend quite a bit of time with his dad. Yesterday, he took him for a drive to the cemetery so that his dad could talk to his mom--he was going a couple times each week before he got really ill a few weeks ago. Then they went to Tony's sister's place (where the folks have lived for several years), and had a nice day.
It dawned on me while I was in the temple yesterday that his parents will be waiting to greet him AS HIS PARENTS!! How grateful we are for the sealing power. And how long that one year requirement may seem to both Tony's parents.