A Good Ship

I've continued to keep up this blog for two reasons. The first reason is to share the boys' milestones and activities with our friends and family that live out of town. The second reason I blog is that I turn my words and pictures into an annual family journal.  I hope one day the boys will read through them and/or I can look back on their early years fondly and be reminded of all of the little things that fade with time. This second reason is the catalyst for this entry. My Grandfather, Ken, passed away at the beginning of November. He had been diagnosed with cancer about a year and a half prior, but I won't use the word "sick" because he made the most of his last months. At 87 years of age he managed to defy doctors expectations, went on several cruises, stayed active in multiple organizations, continued to walk his beloved dog Sadie, and attended many events and parties.

I have had the honor and privilege of having him in my life for 34 years and I really want to share some of my fondest memories in hopes that Reed and Kieran will one day be able to reflect on what a wonderful Great-Grandfather they had. After high school, towards the end of World War II, Ken joined the Navy, after that he graduated from UCLA, and went on to spend almost all of his career with Hughes Aerospace. To say Papa Ken was intelligent is an understatement. He was not only one of the smartest people I've known he was incredibly sharp, observant, humorous, and kind. In his down times he loved to read, exercise, and do cross word puzzles. I have no doubt that these hobbies contributed to his great memory and quick wit even in his last years. I can't remember ever having a negative thought about this wonderful man and I'm sure there are many others that feel the same way.

Me as a toddler with my Papa Ken

My Grandparents have lived in Southern California their entire lives and their families were quite close when they were children. They managed to reconnect later in life, through their mothers, and in 1977 were married. Between Norma (aka Grandma Norma, aka Blingy) and Ken they had 7 children, 13 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren (so far).  Blingy was the love of Papa Ken's life and vice versa, but they also shared another love, that of the sea. I don't think there ever was a time in my life that they didn't own a boat. The boats varied in size but some of my earliest memories are from the boat they lived on when I was a small child. I can't tell you how cool it was to be able to tell my friends that my Grandparents lived on a boat!!!

Papa Ken holding me in the living room of their boat

Starting in late elementary school my Dad's side of the family would spend one week a year in Catalina. It was always the week of fourth of July and it was packed with fun for us kids. My Grandparents belonged to the Catalina Island Yacht Club and would bring their boat over for the Summer. Highlights always included miniature golfing, the dingy boat parade, fireworks on the beach, snorkeling, balloon animals in one of the restaurants, giant ice cream cones, nights at the arcade, and getting to spend a night on the boat. Papa Ken put up with all of our shenanigans with a smile on his face, a Hawaiian shirt on his back, and boat shoes on his feet.

Annual Miniature Golf Tournament Picture

Kyle, Papa Ken, Grandma Norma, and Sarah saying goodbye after another great week

As the eldest of the Grandchildren on Blingy's side I feel so lucky to have had Papa Ken see so many of my achievements. He attended my High School and College Graduations, was at our wedding, and was alive for the birth of both of my children. It is a selfish thing to think but it feels very special to me that he got to see the woman I've become and the family I've helped to create.

High School Graduation

Me with Papa Ken and Grandma Norma at my Cal Poly Graduation

Me and Jon with Blingy and Papa Ken at our wedding

Papa Ken was able to meet Reed a few times and I really wish there had been more time for them to get to know each other. I know he would have loved doing puzzles with the Little Guy and teaching him a limerick or two.  In the early stages of my pregnancy with Kieran we were able to get down to San Marcos to visit Blingy and Papa Ken. They insisted on taking us out on the lake and Reed was shown the ropes of the boat by the man that had done the same for me in my childhood.

Papa Ken meeting Reed for the first time

Papa Ken and Reed cruising Lake San Marcos

The last time I saw Papa Ken in person was Auntie M's wedding last year. I was just three weeks away from having Kieran but unfortunately the two were never able to meet. This will always be something that makes me sad. We had hoped to go down for another visit this Winter but didn't make it before he passed. M's wedding was a great celebration and such a happy time for our whole family and we all feel so lucky that he was able to attend.

 

Papa Ken was known for being reserved and a little quiet, but he had a great sense of humor. He loved telling jokes and even though no one can ever recall hearing him curse in life he always retold dirty jokes and limericks. He was also one to acknowledge important moments with meaningful words. He was great at giving toasts and the one that will always be remembered by his friends and family seems particularly fitting here . . . There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, may they always be!